A CONTROVERSIAL egg factory has been approved by York councillors despite previously rejecting it.

City of York Council initially ruled against the £1.2m development during a planning committee vote but failed to agree on the reasons why it was being declined.

A second round of voting led to the approval of the site, which will house 32,000 hens, built on land west of Hagg Wood Farm, in Wheldrake.

Those opposed to it told the meeting the roads near the site are unsuitable for HGVs and the building would harm the village.

Cllr Chris Barber, of Wheldrake Parish Council, said: "Wheldrake is a thriving, diverse community. There are several new projects underway. Broad Highway is the centre of this activity.

"Ultimately an approval of this application would completely undermine these projects, undermine conservation and undermine the residents who have objected en masse to such an evasive and unethical proposal."

Cllr Ann Reid explained the decision making process: "As chairman, I need to ensure that any decision is supported by sound planning reasons which could be defended if legally challenged. The first two votes were inconsistent and both fell.

"The process we followed was subject to legal advice from officers and is not without precedent."