A VOTE of no confidence in the mayor of Colburn is to be discussed by the town council.

The matter will go on the agenda for the September 11 meeting, when Coun Peter Wood's stance on controversial proposals for a recycling plant on the town's lorry park will be debated.

At a special meeting of the authority on Tuesday, members agreed to back a resident's approach to Richmondshire District Council's monitoring officer seeking the right to appeal. If this is not possible, the matter could be referred to the Ombudsman.

The meeting, attended by all ten town councillors and 60 members of the public, followed anger that the district council granted planning permission for the waste bulking station.

About 800 people signed a petition against the development, which would crush glass, paper, plastic and cans for transfer to a recycling plant at Thirsk.

Their main concerns were about smell, noise, the possibility of vermin and displacement of lorries to nearby streets.

A 100-name petition was presented during Tuesday's meeting, calling for a vote of no confidence in Coun Wood, who did not support the residents' campaign against the proposed development.

Coun Wood told the meeting it was his democratic right to vote as he believed was right and he had no problem with the proposed waste station.

Coun Lynn Miller said: "It was reprehensible that an 800-name petition should be ignored and not considered to be a material consideration in planning terms or enough to warrant at least a deferral and site visit. The community is feeling very let down."

The council also agreed to demand an apology from Coun Richard Dunn, a member of the district council planning committee, who had described the lorry park as litter-strewn and filthy.

Members will also ask an environmental health officer to attend the September meeting and seek comment from Coun John Blackie, district council leader, on the quality of life issues raised in the council plan for Richmondshire.