CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a community hall linked to a listed church look set to win approval this week.

Whorlton Parochial Church Council has put forward the proposals for the Church of the Holy Cross, in Swainby, in conjunction with the York Diocesan Board of Finance.

Under the plans, a new church hall with 180sq metres of floor space would be built 12 metres to the south of the church, a grade II-listed building. The hall would be linked to the church by an enclosed pathway made of glass with an oak frame.

It would replace the existing former school hall building, which would be converted into two houses to fund the development.

The proposals have split Swainby, with almost 100 letters being sent to the North York Moors national park authority's planning department.

Many residents have criticised the plans, saying the use of glass and red brick would detract from the church, but equal numbers have voiced their support, saying the building would provide a much-needed community facility.

Carol Cook, clerk to Whorlton Parish Council, said the council had received a large number of complaints from residents about building materials proposed.

She said: "Councillors were asking the questions, can the planning authority justify passing a plan which uses materials which would be unacceptable to any other applicant, and if this proposal is passed as submitted, how can the parish council respond to future applications by residents which would also contravene the park's own guidelines?"

Church warden Jane Hinton said the glazed corridor would provide safe access between the church and the hall for children, elderly people and the disabled.

She said: "For five years we have explored the best way forward to provide a facility that would be an asset to the local community, as well as to the church.

"As the majority of the houses in the village are built of brick, it would seem to be an obvious choice of materials to use for the extension."

Chief planning officer Val Dilcock, who has recommended the scheme for approval, said: "Officers consider it is important to provide a building which does not try to compete in terms of design and materials with the listed church."

The plans will be discussed at a national park planning committee meeting on Thursday.