Four of the vessels are currently moored in Hartlepool

Hartlepool-based Able UK says it has submitted a "substantial and significant" planning application for continued development and expansion.

The application relates to the company's environmental reclamation and recycling facility at Seaton Port.

Friends of the Earth (FoE) said it would study the plan with an open mind.

Four of a fleet of so-called ghost ships are already docked at Hartlepool, awaiting permission for break-up work to begin.

'Legal hurdles'

Green campaigners claim the vessels contain high levels of toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Able UK originally signed a deal to dismantle 13 ships at a dry dock facility in Hartlepool.

But planning and legal hurdles have delayed the remaining nine vessels, currently moored in the James River in Virginia, leaving for the UK.

The application submitted to Hartlepool council involves the construction of three new quays, a cofferdam and a dry dock gate.

Nine more vessels are scheduled to be shipped from Virginia

Able UK Chairman and Chief Executive Peter Stephenson said: "We have undertaken a massive amount of work on developing our proposals since the legal hearings which effectively halted our operations on the site over a year ago.

"It has taken over 12 months to complete the application and the environmental impact statement which shows just how carefully and comprehensively we have approached the task."

FoE Campaigns Director Mike Child said: "We will look at the planning application closely and come to a view on whether to oppose Able's plans or not.

"We will approach this planning application with an open mind. We will however continue to work with American groups to oppose the export of US ghost feet ships to the UK and instead try to make the US Government take responsibility for its own waste.

"We will also continue to work with the UK Government on developing a strategy to make sure UK ships are scrapped in the UK and not exported to developing countries."