PLANS to convert a former school into 26 flats and houses would cause traffic chaos and overstretch amenities, according to people living nearby.

Kirkdale Developments Limited has applied for permission to turn St Martin's School, at Nawton, between Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside, into housing.

The apartments and houses would be mostly high quality accommodation aimed at the top end of the market.

The main building, Kirkdale Manor, was constructed in the early 20th Century in the Georgian style.

It was used as a school between 1947 and 2001, when it merged with the nearby Ampleforth College junior school.

The latest proposals, which will be considered by Ryedale District Council's planning committee on Tuesday, have caused controversy in the village of Nawton, which lies on the busy A170 Thirsk to Scarborough road.

John and Carol Dagleish, of Chapel Street, Nawton, said: "The village of Nawton has very few facilities indeed, and we believe that such a development as that proposed at St Martin's School would have a great detrimental effect on village life, and certainly would not maintain or enhance environmental quality."

David and Jo Powell, of High Street, said: "There appears to be no consideration given to the possible impact of the scale of the development upon local amenities. Nawton only has a small post office and primary school which is full to capacity.

"The roads in the village would struggle to accommodate the enormous increase in the volume of traffic anticipated. The safety of the villagers in general and the children travelling to and from school each day in particular would be compromised."

But a statement prepared on behalf of Kirkdale Developments said there was already the infrastructure in place in the area to cope with the development because the proposal is for the conversion of existing buildings.

"It is submitted that there are significant benefits that the applications proposals would bring to the site and to the settlement of Beadlam and Nawton," said the statement.

"The proposals will importantly support existing communities and support new physical and social infrastructure.

"The buildings and surrounding gardens are in need of significant investment in order to return them to their original splendour."