YORK’S recycling rates could be boosted after a relaunched scheme aimed at improving the way the city deals with its waste was unveiled.

Planners have recommended approval for a patch of farmland at the Harewood Whin landfill site in Rufforth to become a facility which will meet the need to recycle growing quantities of green waste.

The proposal was tabled by Yorwaste Ltd, which runs the Tinker Lane site, after it said the existing recycling operation was too small to cope with demand, with a decision set to be taken by City of York Council’s planning committee this week.

It would see the company install two concrete composting pads with a total size of 25,800sqm, as well as underground tanks, a drainage system and new access routes to the facility on land between the landfill operation and the B1224.

Approval for the recycling expansion was originally granted in 2008 despite fierce opposition, but Yorwaste first had to address concerns from the Environment Agency, leading to it presenting a reworked scheme.

“The quantities of green waste and wood suitable for recycling have risen significantly over the past few years, which has resulted in the existing facility becoming much too small for its purpose,” said a report by development management officer Erik Matthews.

“This proposal seeks to provide a larger replacement facility capable of treating the quantities of waste expected to arise over the next ten to 15 years. It does not involve the treatment of any new waste types at Harewood Whin, but the relocation of existing operations.

“Space within the application site is limited and the only remaining option is to relocate the activities in an area sufficiently close to the landfill site in order that full use can be made of the site’s control facilities.”

Rufforth and Knapton Parish Council has claimed the plans “constitute an industrial process in the Green Belt” and will create smells, noise and traffic problems, asking for assurances these concerns will be addressed if planning permission is granted.

Even if the planning committee approves the scheme, it will need to be referred to the Government for a final decision.