WATER company managers are objecting to plans for a £1.7m extension to an industrial estate.

The last plot on the Leeming Bar industrial estate was sold in the summer and Hambleton District Council is now seeking to enlarge it by almost 20 acres to boost the local economy further.

But Yorkshire Water claims the extension would add to existing problems at its local waste water treatment works.

The plant is already at the limits of its capacity and foul drainage from the planned development would cause the works to fail the agreed standards, claims the company.

A spokesman said:"The works are experiencing treatment problems and any additional flows would further compound this problem."

Local people have also raised problems about the planned development, particularly in relation to the anticipated increase in traffic, loss of rural land and environmental impact.

Hambleton's planning officials believe the extension is both justifiable and acceptable, but the final decision on the project is expected to come from the Government.