OPPOSITION from villagers failed to overturn plans to convert part of a Wensleydale pub into a cottage.

Residents of Redmire, near Leyburn, fear the development at the King's Arms will lead to the eventual closure of the pub, despite assurances to the contrary from the landlords.

The proposals will see the dining room and some bedrooms turned into a cottage, and the applicants have refused to guarantee that the pub and cottage will remain in the same ownership.

Confusion over whether the pub was for sale led to deferral of a decision last month, but Peter Featherstone, development control team leader, told Richmondshire district council environment committee that negotiations had come to nothing.

Mr Featherstone said members must consider the strong objections from residents, but there was no policy in the local plan which suggested the application should be rejected.

"The most significant factor in this case is that, even if the King's Arms was to close, it is not the only pub in the village," he said.