A JUNIOR football club is expected to get its own playing field through the change of use of agricultural land.

The Bedale club wants to create the facility off Firby Road, on the outskirts of the town.

The 2.3-hectare site would include two training pitches, a block of training squares and a larger football pitch.

Two neighbours have objected because of concerns about protection and privacy of premises and livestock, parking and litter.

However, planning officials at Hambleton District Council are recommending that councillors approve the scheme when they meet in Northallerton next week.

They say that Bedale High School and the local leisure centre have confirmed that up to 128 parking spaces are available for visitors.

They also say that the proposal would not cause any significantly detrimental effect to the amenity of neighbouring properties.

The possibility of horses on nearby land being frightened or injured was, they said, difficult to quantify.

The pitches are 15 metres from the neighbour concerned and are aligned to reduce the possibility of balls going on to his land.