CAMPAIGNERS for pre-school space in a moorland village were this week devastated when their plans were thrown out.

But the Open Spaces Society was celebrating the decision of the Environment Secretary to refuse an application by the Glaisdale Playgroup for a classroom, car park and fences on common land next to the village school.

The refusal follows a public inquiry at which the Society was represented as objectors by Mrs Sandra Spashett.

Society spokesman Nicola Hodgson said: "We are delighted the inspector at the inquiry recognised the unique value of common land.

"He considered that the common is a significant part of the North York Moors National Park and an area of particular beauty.

"He felt the common provides a resource in terms of its access to the moorland character and plays an important part in defining the local landscape."

The inspector, Philip Major, also said the proposed works "would alter the profile of the landform in the locality, especially the removal of large amounts of ground and the construction of a boundary wall."

He added that the works could be seen from a number of public rights of way and would increase the built development of Glaisdale, in a sensitive location outside the main part of the village.

"We are delighted that the inspector and Secretary of State have upheld our objection, on grounds of damage to the beauty, landscape and ecology of the common land and threat to public access," said Ms Hodgson.

"While we recognise the need for educational facilities in rural communities, the Open Spaces Society thinks these must not be placed on common land which is special for its history, beauty and opportunities for quiet recreation."

The inquiry overturned a decision by the North York Moors National Park Authority to give the go-ahead for the classroom scheme alongside the village school.

And even that decision followed months of wrangling.

The plan to build on the hillside site not only upset environmentalists but also caused concern for people living in cottages and who depend on a spring for their water supply.

The claimed the excavation work for the new building could re-route the spring but no definitive answer was given to this question.

Danby Court Leet also objected, wanting the classroom to be built further back so as not to be so prominent.

The plans were subsequently altered several times to meet all the concerns.

The park authority's chief planning officer Val Dilcock said this week that because the classroom and other facilities would be on common land, special permission had to be obtained from the government.

"There was a public inquiry because someone objected to development on common land," she said.

"It is up to the people who wanted the classroom as to what they do now. They could appeal or take legal advice.

"At the time the application was considered it met all the planning criteria and that is the extent of our involvement with it."

A spokesman for Glaisdale Playgroup said: "The Playgroup and the community are devastated by this decision.

"This project has the backing of the local MP and the national park who are strongly committed to preserving the environment but have recognised the over-riding importance of pre-school education in this isolated rural area.

"The land in question is a tiny piece of the vast national park and the decision deprives local children of pre-school education freely available in urban areas and therefore the future of the playgroup."