PLANS to use a site near Selby as a storage site for pipes being used in a massive gas pipeline project have been dropped.

It had been proposed to use the Selby Fork compound at South Milford as a pipe dump for the Hassleby to Harrogate section of the Asselby to Pannal natural gas pipline.

This is one of a series of new pipelines, which will see gas pumped from a Norwegian gasfield to the north and west of England where demand is growing.

At the time of the proposal Bill Hobman, a South Milford parish councillor, said: "I don't think residents would welcome the site being used at all.

"It's been occupied for the best part of five years now. I think everyone locally sees it as an eyesore, and want it to be restored to agricultural farmland as soon as possible."

Selby MP John Grogan also became involved.

He said there was a growing fear that the site would become a semi-permanent headquarters for construction projects in the north of England.

He added that local people had already had to put up with extra traffic and disturbance in recent times due to the upgrading of the A1(M) which, it had been understood, was a one-off.

But it has now been decided to drop the plans.

In a letter to South Milford Parish Council, Gary Mohammed, of the Department of Trade and Industry, said: "I have now discussed the issue with the National Grid, and we have agreed that the compound at Selby Fork will not be used as a pipe dump.

He added: "A condition to this effect will be included in any consent the Secretary of State may decide to grant."

The decision was welcomed by Mr Grogan.

He said: "This is a good example of a Government agency listening to local representations and going out of their way to act accordingly."