THE planned scrapping of a rusting "Ghost Ship" fleet took a fresh twist last night.

Environment Agency officials said there was too little detail in Hartlepool firm Able UK's proposals and, as a result, it could not give its backing.

Able, which has an £11m deal to break up potentially hazardous former US naval ships on Teesside, could now be forced into a rethink of its plans.

Its chairman and chief executive, Peter Stephenson, said he was surprised and frustrated by the Environment Agency's objection to the development of its Teesside Environmental Reclamation and Recycling Centre, which will allow the work to go ahead.

The agency said it was concerned there was insufficient information in an environmental impact assessment supplied by Able.

It has asked Hartlepool Borough Council to delay its decision on three planning applications submitted by Able in January.

Last night, Mr Stephenson said that on numerous occasions in the past four months, it had asked the agency if it had any concerns or comments on its applications, and only learned of the objection on Friday.

He said: "I have to say that it is very surprising indeed that, having had such a long period to consider the application, the agency is taking this position at this stage."

In a letter to Hartlepool Borough Council, the agency said the full impact on wildlife habitats at the nearby Seal Sands nature reserve had not been assessed, nor had the possible impact on local fish stocks.

It also said there needed to be more details on what works were proposed, including whether the plans included wet and dry dock working and whether dock gates will be installed.

The agency also called for a "bio-security" plan to look at the potential risk of introducing non-native species to the area.

Mr Stephenson said: "We will, of course, examine the issues on which the agency is apparently concerned, but it would appear that out of the four main concerns, one is not relevant to the planning application, and they have already been provided with the answer to two of the concerns."

Bob Pailor, of the Environment Agency, said it had been in continuous talks with Able because of a parallel waste management licence application.

He said it had taken some time to scrutinise all the details of the application and it was felt only right that all concerns should be addressed to council officers in the first instance.