A PLAN to create a large extension to a water treatment works on the edge of a village has been recommended for approval, despite concerns it could damage the landscape and limit residents’ privacy.

North Yorkshire County Council’s planning committee is set to con sider Yorkshire Water’s scheme at Borrowby, near Thirsk, to meet the requirements of the Environment Agency’s National Environment Programme.

The agency’s programme has dictated that all water companies in England and Wales must reduce phosphorous in wastewater by March 2020, to achieve 0.5 – 1.0 mg/l phosphorus content, to improve 196km of rivers.

The scheme at Borrowby would see four rectangular kiosks, measuring 59sq metres, feed pumping stations measuring 29sq metres, a tertiary solids capture unit measuring 72sq metres, a sludge holding tank measuring 100 sq metres), internal access track and hardstanding of some 970sq metres.

Residents have raised concerns the water works will not be screened by trees and even if screening is planted, it would take many years to screen the development.

Recommending the scheme for approval, officers said the location was suitable due to it being away from the village and next to an existing water treatment works and that subject to the appropriate conditioning of its design and landscaping, it would conform to planning policies.