PROTESTORS against a waste depot being built near their homes have pledged to monitor its every move after it was granted an operators' licence.

The Waste Management Licence granted by the Environment Agency means the controversial waste transfer station at Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle, is now able to operate.

The Stainton Grove Action Group (Stag) has opposed the waste depot since 2002, when Durham County Council, on behalf of contractor Premier Waste Management, first announced plans for the transfer station.

The action group is taking the council to the High Court, in London, on November 1, to appeal against the transfer station on environmental grounds.

Stag co-ordinator Ruth Renton said: "They have granted this after they delayed making a decision for 17 months, and we had asked them to wait another eight weeks until the case starts.

"So be it, but we will be monitoring the transfer station and any digressions will be going towards our case. We have already told them it is dangerous and anti-social."

A council spokesman said: "We are delighted with the Environment Agency's decision and we are now looking to make the facility operational as soon as possible."