AN action group has been formed to fight plans for a new auction mart on land off Thirsk Road, Northallerton.

The group formed on the St James housing estate said this week that local people were worried about the environmental and traffic effects which could be felt from the proposed new development.

One of the main concerns is that the development could increase the danger of flooding in an area which has already been inundated during periods of exceptionally heavy rain.

A spokesman for the action group, which is receiving professional technical help in its campaign, said: "Residents are concerned that the building is being constructed on the flood plain.

"The last floods caused £2.3m of damage to the estate. If the building was allowed the dangers of further flooding are made more likely.

"Water relief calculations only allow for green field run-off for the area and could not cope with increased building surface water run-off."

The spokesman said proposals showed that the new mart would have a building nine times larger than the Tesco store in Northallerton and parts of the site would be less than 80 yards from houses.

There were proposals for parking places for more than 200 cars and 12 articulated lorries, but the group felt these should not be considered until an assessment of the traffic flow impact had been made on Thirsk Road.

There would be noise problems with lorries arriving in the morning and leaving at night and the prevailing wind would transmit noise and smells from cattle left overnight directly over the estate and beyond.

Romanby Parish Council opposes the plan. Hambleton District Council has said there is enough time for public representations because the application is not due to go before the development control committee until August 28.