CONTROVESIAL plans for a waste material recycling centre have been given the go ahead despite objections from two councils.

Members of Durham County Council's planning department last week backed the project, which will be built on the Hackworth Industrial Estate in Shildon.

John Suckling, head of planning, told councillors that the new centre would be a good asset. He said: "The present proposal would make a useful contribution to the council's wider aim of dealing with waste generated in the County responsibly, not least by encouraging recycling and re-use of waste materials.''

But Shildon Town Council and New Shildon Residents' Association have objected to the plans saying that it was too close to homes and could prevent further housing investment in the town.

Coun Gareth Howe said that he and other residents in Shildon would be looking to see whether he could appeal against the decision. He said: "Durham County Council is just not listening to what the local people want. There are 100 houses being built near that site. Who wants to buy a house that will overlook what is in my opinion a scrapyard.''

Sedgefield Borough Council has also objected to the plans questioning the suitability of the location.

Dorothy Clayton managing director of R & H Tomlinson in West Auckland, which has made the application, said she does not blame the town's people for being upset.

The company presently runs a scrap metal business in West Auckland but said that the new centre would be nothing like that.

She said: "People are expecting a scrap yard but we are opening a recycling centre not a scrap yard. If I thought that something like this was moving next to me I would not want it either but this is the future and something that Shildon will be proud of once they know what it is.

"This is going to be the first of its kind in the country.

"We will be under strict guidance from the Environment Agency so we will have to do everything right."