PLANS for a huge expansion of a waste and recycling centre in Darlington look likely to be approved after concerns about the impact on wildlife were allayed.

The borough council is seeking permission to increase the size of the Drinkfield civic amenity site by 4,000 sq metres.

The work would include security measures such as lighting and security cameras, more large skips to make it easier to sort waste, ramps to allow drivers to get material from their vehicles into the skips and portable buildings for on-site workers.

If approved by planning committee members, it is also hoped the scheme will reduce congestion on Whessoe Road caused by cars queuing to get into the site, as well as make recycling easier.

Councillor Stephen Harker, cabinet member for consumer and environmental services, said he was hopeful of the project gaining approval.

"This is an exciting development, which would push recycling forward in Darlington," he said.

"It would give people the chance to recycle more and recycle different items, such as cardboard, which there has been a growing demand for."

Before the application was submitted for planning approval, an ecological report was commissioned to look at the impact of the development on the nearby Drinkfield Marsh Nature Reserve.

Special attention was paid to the potential effect on protected species such as water vole and great crested newts.

The report concluded that there were very few, if any, great crested newts living at the site, but did stress that any development should be sensitive to the many water voles in the area.

The report added that scrub clearance should not take place during birds' nesting season and work should stop if nests were found until the fledglings left the area.

English Nature has looked at the report and is satisfied that enough measures will be put in place to protect wildlife during and after the expansion.

The application will be considered at the council's planning committee on Wednesday. It is being recommended for approval.