A SCHEME to convert listed farm buildings in a national park into eight luxury homes has been given the go-ahead.

North York Moors National Park Authority passed the project at Home Farm, Hutton Gate, Guisborough, which will be carried out by Southlands Management.

Guisborough Town Council, which opposed the scheme, said it was incompatible with the continued use of a working farm. Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council was concerned it would result in an increase in traffic to Hutton village and to a bridleway.

"Both are popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders. The narrow width of the road and parked cars will put them at risk," it said.

There was also opposition, from the Council for the Protection of Rural England, which said the site was in an area of special landscape value and should remain unspoilt.

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, The Ramblers' Association and Guisborough Bridleways Group were also against the development, along with several neighbours.

English Heritage was not against the scheme but asked for it to be revised to reduce the density and create more viable dwellings.

Val Dilcock, the park's chief planning officer, said: "While structurally sound, the buildings are in a poor state of repair due to the lack of maintenance over the years."