DESPITE more than a dozen complaints about problems with rats, noise and "large clouds of air-borne dust", plans to extend a waste-recycling site in Kendal have been given the nod of approval.

In a bid to meet the growing recycling market, green-thinking Cumbria county councillors have agreed B. & J. Metals can expand its skip-hire and waste transfer station on Shap Road Industrial Estate to enable it to recover, recycle and treat more waste.

However, the proposals, which will now allow recycling measures to be carried out between the hours of 7am and 6pm on weekdays and 7am to 1pm on Saturdays, have angered local residents who have complained about "considerable" dirt and litter levels.

While 12 homeowners on neighbouring development Hunters Croft wrote to planning officials to express fears over noise and access, residents on nearby Gilthwaiterigg Lane complained that vehicle activity caused excess vibrations. They also raised concerns about problems with vermin and dust.

The applicant assured councillors the number of vehicles visiting the site would not increase and that the recycling work including sorting the material to remove recyclable goods, processing and crushing waste - would still be the same, but on an increased scale.

Members of the development control and regulation committee imposed measures to help calm residents' fears but passed the plans in a bid to help reduce the amount of waste dropped off at landfill sites.