A MODERN war of words is being waged on an historic battle site in a bid to halt a waste recycling centre being built.

Marston Moor, in North Yorkshire, may rekindle memories of one of the most important battles of the English Civil War, but the present fight is on the planning field.

Protests have been sparked after eingeering firm RS Howard Limited tabled a planning application with North Yorkshire County Council to build a waste recycling facility specifically for materials associated with civil engineering.

Their chosen site is on the former Marston Moor Airfield, at Tockwith, between York and Wetherby, and a final planning decision will be made at county level.

Members of Harrogate Borough Council area planning committee have told North Yorkshire they believe the site is inappropriate and should be sited much nearer an urban area.

Protests against the development have also come from Tockwith Parish Council and tenants at Marston Moor Business Park, along with a number of residents.

Clerk to the parish council Gill Firth has told the county's planning department that expansion of industry into open countryside should be resisted. The parish council also points out concerns of residents about noise, dust and fears of additional heavy traffic.

Ernest Godfrey, agent for the applicants, has told North Yorkshire that recent legislation on recycling has brought a drive towards greener policies. Tipping charges had initiated a major recycling programme.

The battle of Marston Moor is due to be decided at County Hall Northallerton in September.