CAMPAIGNERS against plans to build a recycling and waste transfer station near their homes were ordered to leave a council meeting yesterday, after verbally attacking members.

People from Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle, heckled Teesdale District Council's development control committee members while they discussed plans to construct the station and recycling plant near a housing estate.

Some protestors singled out specific councillors after they had spoken on the issue, labelling one a "traitor".

Most of the public attending the meeting were ordered to leave while others stormed out of the council chamber swearing at the members who had spoken in favour of the plans.

The dispute over the proposed waste transfer station and recycling plant has been running since August last year, when local residents formed an action group to fight the proposals.

The planning authority for the application, which has been made by Premier Waste Management, is Durham County Council, but Teesdale council has been consulted on the issue.

Members of the action group claim that the plant would cause unpleasant smells and that increased traffic going to and from the site would be dangerous.

They also claim that the council had failed to consult with local residents about the plans, and that they had ignored more suitable sites for the station elsewhere in Teesdale.

The protest erupted during a speech by Councillor Peter Stubbs, who had previously argued against the plans.

He told members he would, regrettably, vote in favour of the proposal because the area desperately needed the type of development being proposed, and Stainton Grove seemed the only suitable site. Only councillors Ken Coates and Newton Wood spoke out against the proposals.

Ruth Renton, of the Stainton Grove Action Group, labelled Coun Stubbs a "traitor".

She said: "You should be ashamed of yourselves. You are a disgrace to your electorate. This had been done and dusted before it was even put on the table."

However, the majority of members voted in favour of recommending approval.

Councillor Phil Hughes said: "The benefits of the proposal do outweigh the environmental issues and therefore that is the recommendation that we should send back to the county council."