COUNCILLORS are to investigate why alternative sites for a controversial waste transfer and recycling station appear to have been ignored.

Teesdale District Council's social and environmental overview and scrutiny committee met yesterday to discuss why the site at Stainton Grove, near Barnard Castle, was chosen.

People living near the site have formed an action group to opposed the plan and want to know why six other sites were rejected. They say there is no evidence that discussions were held in council meetings before the options were discounted.

At yesterday's meeting, councillors agreed to establish a working party of six members to look at the decision-making process.

Ruth Renton, of the Stainton Grove Action Group, said: "It was not a big meeting, but it is nice to see that they are prepared to investigate and that they are not prepared to just rubber stamp these proposals."

The working group is expected to report its findings to the next committee meeting.

The planning application, from Premier Waste Management, has still not been discussed by Durham County Council's cabinet, despite being postponed several times.