A SWALEDALE community will be studying its options today after being awarded Conservation Area status against its will.

Reeth Parish Council was resisting the move by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority - even warning it would research its right to appeal if the decision went the other way. But it was not enough to sway a meeting in Middleham, where national park chiefs sanctioned the proposals on Tuesday.

Steve Macare, the chairman of the authority, said: "Despite Reeth Parish Council not supporting designation, as an authority we have a statutory responsibility to designate areas that are worthy of designation.

"To fail in this duty would see us failing to achieve what we were established to do.

"In time, I hope the community will accept the benefits that designation can bring."

Conservation Areas qualify for grants to fund projects which help preserve historic features, and Reeth could be among the communities which will attract investment.

But the parish council was concerned that the new status, given to the village green and the buildings which surround it, would limit the freedom of those who live there.

Views expressed at two public meetings and in letters to the national park authority made it clear the parish council was convinced current planning controls are sufficient in a village which has always managed to run its own affairs - without outside interference.

However, the authority claims designation as a Conservation Area places no significant restrictions on development.

Every household within Reeth will be sent a leaflet, which sets out the reasons for the decision.

East Witton, in neighbouring Wensleydale, was also given Conservation Area status at the same meeting, but did not resist the move