A recycling centre that will handle 20,000 tonnes of material a year looks likely to get the go-ahead.

North Yorkshire County Council planning officers say there is a need for a waste transfer and recycling centre alongside the York-Harrogate railway line at Flaxby, near Knaresborough.

They are recommending approval when councillors meet to discuss the issue next Tuesday.

Recycyling materials would come mainly from the Harrogate district's kerbside collection schemes, civic amenity sites and commercial facilities.

The planning application for the site has been submitted by Yorwaste Ltd, drawing 16 letters of protest from people living in Flaxby, agents on behalf of a golf course development and landowners at the Allerton Park estate.

Flaxby Parish Council wants conditions imposed to prevent disturbance to residents, including restricted working hours and road alterations.

Two alternative sites for the complex had been considered but both have been ruled out as unsuitable because they are further from the area where the waste is collected from.