A GREAT Ayton builder has finally received permission to convert part of the old Rosehill Theatre into flats, despite parish council opposition.

Chris Scarff, of Newton Road, attacked Great Ayton Parish Council last month for opposing his amended plan, claiming it had a bizarre and negative attitude towards developments, particularly by newcomers.

The conflict arose over his application to build two flats in a section originally earmarked for a third family home. The council opposed this, fearing over-development and access difficulties.

It rejects his allegation, saying it considers all applications properly.

Originally a chapel, the Victorian building was converted to a theatre by the Friends' School. When the school closed, it went on the market. A campaign was launched to turn it into a village-owned theatre and playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn was involved at one point.

Mr Scarff remarked: "There is an awful lot of history with this building," He has numerous newspaper cuttings about it pinned to his kitchen wall.

"The sale was long and complicated, but we eventually bought it. We found it in appalling condition. It was damp, there were leaks and the woodwork was disintegrating. Much of it had been hacked up and the only part that wasn't wrecked was the old ceiling.

"We originally planned for two properties, but decided these would be too large, so we applied for three. However, as the demand for flats grew locally, we amended this for permission to divide the third home into two smaller flats. The number of cars will be similar with two flats or one large home.

"This is not a listed building. We could have pulled it down but decided to put it back as it was. So far, most of the work has been inside and not visible from the outside. However, we'll tear down the modern extensions, rebuild the porch, replace the windows and tidy the outside when the weather improves.

"The stone pillars in the old windows were smashed out and bricked-up for conversion to a theatre. We have 30 years' building experience and thought we'd have a crack at putting it all back together again.

"We've put in a replacement wooden window at the Newton Road end, which is modelled from the original we saw in a 1930s' wedding photograph."

Mr Scarff's wife, Liz, said: "We now live in the front section, but we lived in the old Sunday school rooms at the rear for four years. We had to make the best of it we could. The old gents' lavatories became our bathroom. Thankfully, there were some windows in the back, but most were frosted. We had to peer out of two tiny clear panes to see the outside world.

"There wasn't much left here, it was basically a shell. But we found a crow and a coffin, which we hope was a theatrical prop. Conditions were pretty rough, but it was a great playground for our daughter, Georgina," she added.

Mr Scarff's building colleagues helped with the heavy work, most of which was undertaken outside working hours.

Stokesley joiner Philip Kendrew did the woodwork and Des Clements, of Guisborough, fitted roof slates. Allen Ellis, of Coulby Newham, was the plasterer.

Andy Anderson, of Seamer, made the heavy steel tubes which pull together wooden A-beams under the roof. The steelwork required 17 pages of engineering calculations and once the tubes were manufactured, they were cut in half, hauled manually into position and welded together again.

"My workmates say I'm mad and they keep reminding me of this every day. They mainly build new houses and say nobody in his right mind would do this," said Mr Scarff.

While keen to move on from the parish council row, he stressed the point that home owners were entitled to challenge planning decisions.

"Early on in this project, Hambleton Council called for pavement and wall alterations costing £20,000. We felt these were totally unnecessary and went to an appeal, which we won.

"I do realise this building is important, but people have the right to appeal against planning recommendations.

"Home-owners' viewpoints are often supported by planning inspectors. I honestly think more care is needed by those in power when considering applications."