THERE are fears a new sugar beet plant which could create 300 jobs will swamp the landscape and affect heritage sites.

Middle Eastern sugar giant, Al Khaleej International, has drawn up plans to build a 24 hour a day plant at Allerton Park, just off the A1 near Knaresborough. It would see the return of sugar processing to North Yorkshire for the first time since British Sugar closed it's sites near York in 2007.

An early stage environment application has gone in to Harrogate District Council, but concerns have already been raised by the Campaign to Protect Rural England that it will cause increased congestion and pollution and have too big an impact on the environment. Trustees at nearby Allerton Castle are also worried it will affect the grade 11 listed building. Harrogate council is carrying out further consultations.