A £50m project to create green energy that could benefit thousands of homes in North Yorkshire is set to be refused by planners who say it will harm the landscape.

Tetragen (Knapton UK) Ltd want to develop a green energy facility - GEF - at the Knapton Quarry landfill site near Malton and say it will support 45 jobs and contribute to the UK's climate change reduction ambitions.

Company director Darrell Smith told county councillors: "This project has significant positive implications for investment and employment in North Yorkshire."

He added: "The plant will generate enough energy to power 16,000 homes but produce fewer emissions than two HGVs ticking over. It is a clean, efficient answer to energy generation."

He said funding for the scheme had been secured and added: "Construction can start within six months and job creation, immediately. In uncertain economic times, a major real life investment in well paid jobs will offer Ryedale long term stability."

He claimed 85 per cent of public consultation responses favoured the scheme and a further 21 letters of support had been given to NYCC.

"Eighteen letters of objection have been received and we have worked hard to address those concerns."

He added: "We are in detailed discussions with a local farming business for a significant fruit growing enterprise using heat and CO2 generated by the GEF, further adding to the carbon reduction benefits flowing from the project.

"Our proposal offers improvements in biodiversity with substantial tree planting schemes and re-profiling of the site."

However the committee is being recommended to refuse the scheme.

The council's director of business and environmental services, David Bowe, said in a report that there have been objections on the grounds of the impact the scheme could have on tourism, especially Scampston Hall, and nearby camping and caravan sites.

He said the scheme was considered "inappropriate" and would have an unacceptable impact on the landscape and visual amenity.