A two-storey teaching block is to be built at Richmond School, despite a host of objections.

The proposal, which has been described as an "industrial shed" by a conservation group - was approved by North Yorkshire County Council.

Councillor Heather Garnett, who chairs the authority's planning committee, had to intervene because of interruptions from the public gallery as members discussed the application for the science and technology building.

The committee approved the block despite objections from Richmondshire District Council, the 20th Century Society, the local civic society, the National Playing Fields Society and 37 letters from neighbouring householders.

Objections centred on the partial loss of a green area capable of being used for team games and the effect of the new block on the former girls' high school, a Grade II-listed building which now forms part of the Richmond School campus.

The two-storey former girls' school, representing a pioneering design just over 60 years ago by Denis Clarke-Hall, is built of reinforced concrete with rubble walling, rendered panels and a flat roof.

The 20th Century Society said it had been highly influential in post-war education building programmes.

It said: "Both the design and location of the new technology block have been poorly conceived."

However, planning officer Victoria Perkin said that views of the Clarke-Hall building were already difficult from Darlington Road because of the topography of the school site.

The new block was similar to other two-storey buildings on the site and its design was sufficiently sympathetic so that she did not believe it would materially affect the setting of the former girls' school. It would not stand immediately next to the Clarke-Hall building.

But Councillor Oliver Blease, of Richmond, said: "I believe more effort should have been put into the design of the new building, which looks very plain."