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

Southlands Management will carry out the project at Home Farm, Hutton Gate, Guisborough, east Cleveland - on what was known as a model farm developed by the Pease family - after the plan was passed by the North York Moors National Park Authority.

Guisborough Town Council opposed the scheme, saying it was totally incompatible with the continued use of a working farm, while Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council said it 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 opposition, too, 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.

However, English Heritage said it 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."