VILLAGERS who protested against plans for a power plant to be built near their homes have won a temporary reprieve.

Residents of Thornton-le-Dale had expressed serious concerns about proposals for the gas-powered electricity station to be created on a landfill site.

Their fears have now been taken on board by the North York Moors National Park Authority, which has apologised for its handling of the controversial issue.

A planning application was submitted to the authority last month by Yorwaste, the Northallerton firm responsible for disposing of most domestic and business waste in North Yorkshire.

The bid was due to have been considered by councillors tomorrow, but a verdict was delayed after a public meeting at which villagers spoke of their fears about noise pollution.

The application to turn natural gas from the Caulklands landfill site into electricity was halted following claims from residents that they had not been given enough time to register their objections.

Park authority chief executive Andy Wilson said: "I am aware we have not handled this the way we should have."

Despite assurances from representatives of Salford firm Natural Power that the generator would not lead to noise pollution, residents still condemned the plans - and their objections paid off when it was confirmed that the location of the plant would be placed under review.

Resident Peter Schroeder said at the meeting: "You have chosen the worst possible site for noise generation."

Yorwaste had wanted to build a £300,000 generating plant that would use methane gas from the landfill to create so-called "green" electricity for the area.

The firm's waste strategy and contracts manager, Tony Sharkey, said that as a result of the meeting a liaison group would be set up to keep residents up to date with any developments.

Villagers have also demanded another public meeting to discuss alternative locations for the plant - preferably further away from residential areas.