PLANS for a wildlife sanctuary on the North York Moors may be refused by planners despite strong support for them.

Jim Ward wants to create a wildlife rescue centre which includes portable aviaries on farming land at Springhill Farm, Fylingdales.

North Yorkshire Police have indicated that they have used Mr Ward in the past during incidents that involve rescuing animals.

Many residents from the nearby Whitby and Scarborough area support the project which is partly retrospective.

But the scheme drops into the North York Moors National Park’s planning committee’s remit and it is minded to refuse the plan.

Mr Ward said: "I have been doing this for 30 years as a full-time job.

"I’m trying to work alongside of the park’s planners and I hope they will give me approval. We own the land and if they refuse the plan we’ll take legal advice."

A police spokesman said Mr Ward had carried out his work helping the force for many years and that his efforts were greatly appreciated.

Locals are very keen to support the venture with many writing into the park authority’s planners to express their views.

Amongst the opinions listed are that if the plan is refused Mr Ward will not be able to save animals and that he helps where other groups will not.

Neither Scarborough Borough Council nor Fylingdales Parish Council, the local authorities, have commented on the plans.

Val Dilcock, the authority’s chief planning officer, in notes to park’s planning committee states "The applicant’s activities cover a wide area based around Scarborough and no special reasons have been put forward as to why the use should located on this particular site in the park."

The plan was deferred at the authority’s June meeting and could be placed onto its agenda for the planning committee on July 16.