OBJECTORS to a controversial animal incinerator given the go-ahead by planners have vowed to continue their fight.

Some of the residents of Charltons, near Guisborough, were dismayed on Thursday when plans for the farm animal burner next to the hamlet were approved by the North York Moors National Park Authority.

But residents have joined forces with Teesside environmental group Impact to pursue other means of stopping the development.

The planning committee placed a series of conditions on the site, to be run by slaughterers J E Noddings, including a review after two years, with the possibility to reduce the area from which it can take carcasses.

A legal agreement will also be required to restrict the amount of traffic using the site.

But protestors say the company has not convinced them of its commitment to keeping emissions to a minimum.

John Brunton, of Impact, said the fight was not over.

He said: "There are still avenues that need pursuing.

"We feel an incinerator just 90 metres from houses is a rash undertaking - particularly in the present climate.

"It looks like the facility is proceeding, but we will be meeting later this week to discuss our next step. There is even a possibility that we could take this all the way to the European Court of Human Rights.

"What also troubles us is the fact this was approved without them demonstrating what environmental modelling would take place.

"In other words, we do not really know the impact this might have on the surrounding area. It seems like the resident's concerns have been dismissed."

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's environmental protection officers are expected to monitor the site for emission levels. The Environment Agency will also make sure the chimney will prevent problems with emissions.

The oil-fired burner will be 4.3m long, 2m wide, 3.5m high and with a total building height of 35m. It would be able to burn 25 cow carcasses a day.

J E Noddings, which was unavailable for comment, has been operating in the area since 1920. The firm says it must build a bigger burner because of new regulations following the foot-and-mouth outbreak.