AN application to create a waste material recycling centre could fall at the first hurdle after strong objections by two councils.

Both Sedgefield Borough Council and Shildon Town Council are urging Durham County Council not to give the plans for the centre the go ahead.

Members of Shildon Town Council branded the application a "scrapyard" that would be unsightly to people living near the proposed site, which is Hackworth Industrial Estate.

They said the proposal is a process for dismantling, in the main, motor vehicles with connotations of a scrapyard.

Councillor Philip Thompson said: "It is going to be an eyesore and after all the good work we have done in Shildon. This is the sort of thing that we are trying to get away from."

Town council clerk Tom Toward told councillors toxic material would also be handled on the site, such as batteries and exhaust systems.

He said the proposed site could be seen clearly from the Shildon Western bypass and would be overlooked by a housing development which is planned for the area.

He said: "There are 100 houses to be built on that land. Who on earth would want to buy one of them if it overlooks that."

The council voted unanimously to write to Durham County Council which will be looking at a detailed application for the site at a meeting this month, urging them to throw it out.

Sedgefield council has also backed the town council's sentiments after the plans were discussed at a development control meeting last Friday.

A spokesperson said: "It did not comply with Sedgefield Borough Council's local planning policies and insufficient information was submitted with the application to make a determination. The vote was unanimous and the application was refused."

A spokesperson for Durham County Council said a site visit to Hackworth Industrial Estate was planned in the coming weeks.

He said: "Any comments or views, including objections, will be taken into account when the application is considered."