ALMOST 50 campaigners filled Hambleton District Council chamber and applauded as plans to convert a chapel into a house were rejected.

The application to alter the use of the redundant Chapel of Ease was turned down for the second time last week, despite a planning officer's recommendation for its approval.

The council overwhelmingly felt it was inappropriate for someone to live so close to a graveyard, and described the proposals as an intrusion into grief.

The chapel in Thornton-le-Beans, near Northallerton, has been unused for ten years and was put up for sale by the Church Commissioners more than a year ago.

Mr E R King, who is negotiating to buy the chapel, has twice applied to the development control committee for permission to convert it into a one bedroom house.

The first application was refused in 2001 on the grounds that it could harm the appearance of the Grade II listed building. The council also ruled that there was a lack of amenity and parking.

Maurice Cann, head of development services, said that the issues of parking and amenities had not been dealt with and the council's feelings remained the same as in 2001.

However, a more prominent issue at the meeting was the proximity of the chapel to the graves, one of which is just three weeks old.

Coun June Imeson said: "We have all lost someone close to use and to convert the chapel into a house is an intrusion into grief and I have to refuse it."

Villagers formed the Friends of the Chapel of Ease in strong opposition to the proposed plans and attended last week's meeting on mass.

The Friends now plan to take over the chapel and use donations and bequests to help to restore it.