A LONG-RUNNING saga over plans for a new children's playing field could end tomorrow.

Residents of East Heslerton, near Malton, have clashed over proposals put forward by the parish council to site the facility in Carr Lane.

Protestors hit out at the scheme, saying it would devalue their properties, lead to an increase in noise and a rise in theft and vandalism.

Their appeals won the support of Ryedale District Council officials, who are urging planning committee members to reject the plans when they meet tomorrow night. The parish council made the application after hearing from parents in the village, which is alongside the A64 Malton to Scarborough road, that a safe place for children to play was needed. But objectors sent a series of letters to the district council.

Joan Appleby, whose home is less than 30 yards from the area, said: "The proposed siting borders directly on to gardens and the potential for noise would be unbearable, as we all know how much noise children make when playing."

North Yorkshire County Council's heritage unit also warned that the site was of archaeological importance and asked for a survey to be carried out before any change of land use was agreed.

Archaeologist Gail Falkingham told planners: "The route of a prehistoric trackway is known to run through the application area and additional features have been recorded to the north which are visible on aerial photographs."

Ryedale planning officer Rachel Smith is recommending that permission for the scheme be refused.

She said: "The location of the proposed playing field, together with the use of its access, is likely to give rise to additional noise and disturbance which would be seriously detrimental to the residential amenities of the occupiers of nearby properties."

A final decision will be made at the central area planning committee meeting in Ryedale House, Malton.