CONTROVERSIAL plans to sink a gas borehole on the North York Moors have been deferred by the National Park's planning committee after members said they wanted to see stringent conditions imposed.

Sterling Resources (UK) Ltd planned to sink the borehole to search for gas reserves at Whyett Bank, Westerdale.

English Nature said the scheme would not have a significant effect on the moors but some residents in the Westerdale and Castleton areas objected.

They said that the plans were misleading in the scale of area which would be affected, and the scheme was contrary to the park's planning policies.

They said heavy lorries using country lanes could be a hazard and there would be "an unacceptable level" of noise and traffic movement.

Other objections related to wildlife being disturbed and night time noise.

Chief planning officer Val Dilcock said more work was needed on the plan but the company had said the scheme was exploration not exploitation.

The company has a government licence to search for hydrocarbons in a block extending from Teesside to a line across the centre of the National Park.

Other decisions: Plans approved:

Coffee shop and sandwich bar, Stonehaven, High Street, Staithes; dwelling and workshop, The Forge Pottery, Lealholm; agricultural building, Hollybush Farm, Littlebeck; extension, Rosemary Cottage, Hutton Buscel; extension to conversion of building to two dwellings, Church Farm, Kilburn; alterations, Westgate Farm, Thornton-le-Dale; renewal of temporary permission for prefabricated classroom, Thornton-le-Dale primary school; extension and alterations, 9 Nettledale Close, Runswick Bay.

Refused: dwelling, Tudor Lodge, Hinderwell.