Plans by Airedale Chemicals in Cross Hills for extra storage at its Airedale Mills site have been given the go-ahead.

Despite the concerns of Glusburn and Cross Hills Parish Council, two separate applications for six storage vessels and a screening embankment, and a further seven also with screening, were approved by Craven District Council.

The council’s planning committee, which visited the site before the meeting, was recommended by officers to approve both applications.

The seven storage vessels, 8.5 metres high, 5.75 metres in diameter and made of stainless steel, are to be contained in a concrete embankment and located next to the modern industrial unit on the south eastern edge of the site.

The other six storage vessels, to be located next to the original weaving shed of the former Midland Mills, are to be slightly smaller. The company confirmed that no hazardous chemicals would be stored in any of the containers.

The parish council objected to the seven containers on the grounds they were too high and could be seen from most roads in the area.

Councillors were told last week that the storage tank “farm” would be well screened and not considered to be visually intrusive.

There had been no technical objections to the proposals from either the Environment Agency or the council’s environmental health department and if the company planned to store hazardous substances on the site it would require specific consent.

The company, which has said it has no plans to store hazardous substances, would also have to apply for a licence from the Environment Agency and be subject to regular inspections.

Councillors were told, in conclusion, that both developments would have minimal environmental impact and constituted sustainable economic development.

Airedale Chemicals is a multi-national supplier of dyestuffs and performance chemicals and employs more than 40 people.

l An application to build a single-storey industrial unit with two loading entrances and seven parking spaces at John Barritts Builders Yard, St Andrews Terrace, Cross Hills, was withdrawn before last week’s planning meeting.