ANGRY residents have reported a council to the Local Government Ombudsman after members approved plans for an office building in a small village.

West Park Estates Ltd was granted permission to change a swimming pool building in Thirkleby, near Thirsk, into an office on Thursday, despite protests from the parish council and people living nearby.

They objected to a commercial property being created in a residential area and said the applicant's plans to display classic cars in the building could attract criminals.

Catherine Lumb, owner of the nearby Thirkleby Hall Holiday Cottages, cited a police crime prevention report which said: "It is clear that this development will attract new business and visitors to the site. This may potentially provide a reason for the criminally-minded to visit the site.

"If the rewards at the site then make the risk worthwhile, it could result in problems during the hours of darkness."

Ms Lumb said Hambleton District Council had been reported to the Ombudsman.

She added: "This (application) does not meet planning policy and the police report says there is an increased risk of crime. The access road is about the width of a footpath."

But a spokesman for West Park Estates Ltd said the classic cars were of little value.

"The applicant collects cars as other people collect art," he said. "These are not valuable in the context of modern cars.

"The premises will be secured by an alarm linked to the police.

"It is clear that the proposed use accords with all aspects of government guidance and Hambleton's own planning policies."

Maurice Cann, the council's head of development control, added: "The report from the police architectural liaison officer was copied in full to members in the report.

"It was for members to give whatever weight they thought to that.

"In our opinion, there is no reason why the decision to approve the application could not have been taken."