MEMBERS of an action group fighting plans to build a waste transfer and recycling plant near their homes will continue their protest when councillors meet to discuss the proposal next week.

Residents are also expected to join the action group to voice their anger at plans to build the plant next to their housing estate at Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle.

They have already put together a petition with 170 signatures from residents living in the 155 homes on the estate.

The group has claimed a victory in its battle to block the plan, following a decision by members of Teesdale District Council earlier this month to defer the matter in order to carry out a site visit, which is due to take place next Tuesday.

Members of the development control committee south will look around a similar development to the one planned for Stainton Grove, before visiting the site to get an idea of how it would look.

Planning officers will also invite councillors to view 3D computer images of the planned development.

At the previous meeting of the development control committee, members said they felt Durham County Council, which is the planning authority for the application, had failed to consult residents sufficiently.

But the county council has defended itself saying that it consulted residents during a presentation day in June at the local community centre.

Visitors to the presentation were able to view the 3D images of the planned Premier Waste Management development, and raise any queries.

Tony Cooke, of the Oval, Stainton Grove, who is spokesman for the action group, said: "This is about people, and moreover, children, who will have to put up with this on their doorstep.

"We have vowed to fight it and we will continue to. We are not against a recycling and waste transfer plant in the area, but we feel there are more suitable places it could go."

Ken Hughes, head of planning at Teesdale council, said: "The site visit will give members the chance to get an idea of how the plant would look and view a similar development before deciding whether to recommend refusal or approve the application."