A NORTH Yorkshire farming family is celebrating a planning victory which means an 82-year-old grandmother can stay at home with her loved ones.

The future for Alzheimer's sufferer, Joyce Griffin, looked uncertain when planning officials urged councillors to reject a scheme for a granny flat.

But Hambleton's development control committee overturned the advice, to the delight of Mrs Griffin's devoted family.

The case also led to the view that similar instances may arise as residential places for the elderly become harder to find.

This week, son-in-law, Malcolm Pye, thanked people in Middleton on Leven for their support in the bid to let Mrs Griffin "live her final years in dignity."

"To get backing such as this is wonderful," said Mr Pye, who had applied to have the single-storey extension on a converted agricultural building in open countryside, outside development limits.

At the meeting on Thursday of last week, planning officer, Lydia Spiller, said the extension was not considered to be in keeping with the existing site and property. "We are not happy with its potential impact on surrounding views and landscape. It will detract from the simplicity of the existing barn conversion," she said.

Addressing the committee, Mr Pye said: "This request is to enable Joyce to be cared for by her loving family. The extension has been designed for her real and special needs and for her to have a degree of independence in a safe environment."

Mr Pye disagreed that the plan involved converting rural buildings to residential use. "The building has been converted for ten years," he said.

"We think that on moral grounds the plan should be approved and the local community has supported us. We are not property developers. We are small farmers wanting to support our family."

Coun Audrey Skipsey said: "The council will get more applications like this because there is a need to provide homes for the elderly. The aged population is increasing and it is a good thing that people like this look after their own elderly relatives.

"It is wonderful and should be encouraged. I can't see a problem with this."

Coun David Webster said: "There is no landscape issue at all here."

Coun Iain Grieve said there was no overwhelming case for refusal. "There is a need for this kind of care in the community," he said.

Coun Arthur Barker disagreed. "I have every sympathy with the applicant but we cannot ignore planning guidelines," he said. "The planning officers are right to bring this to our attention. It would be a mockery."

Coun Grieve said: "My values dictate that I come down in favour of the scheme."

Coun David Smith was also cautious. "The policies are clear and we must be careful before driving a coach and horses through them," he said.

Planning and environmental services director, Steve Quartermain, said: "The existing building is a conversion and this is an addition. We have sympathy with the aims but this is not the way to achieve it. This is not an emotional issue."

Mr Pye said this week: "Obviously we are relieved. With the plan being recommended for refusal this is a weight off our minds. Joyce is thrilled we can now get on and create the right environment for her to stay here with us."

The Pyes have been in Middleton on Leven since 1991, working a cattle farm.

Mrs Griffin has lived with the family, but has to share facilities with her daughter, Gillian, and son-in-law and their four young daughters.

She recently broke a hip and has slow onset of Alzheimer's.

"She is independent of spirit but it is best for her to be with us," said Mr Pye. "I could see the rightness of our case all along. There will be more and more of this because are there are simply not enough places for our elderly people.