A RUGBY club's plans to move to a out-of-town home seem set to take a major step forward this week - in spite of a fierce protest from those who do not want sport as a new neighbour.

Harrogate Rugby Union Club wants to quit its home for more than a century, at Claro Road, in favour of a 36-acre site at Moorland Farm, on the edge of Killinghall.

This would provide the pitches, clubhouse and floodlights necessary for the club to maintain its National League status and cater for growing numbers of children of all ages clamouring to play the game.

The scheme, which has been delayed by legal problems, goes before Harrogate Borough Council's planning committee on Thursday with a recommendation from officials that it should be approved.

Officers have added the rider that the Government should be asked if it wants to intervene in what would be a departure from the council's development plan, but would accord with the policy of relocating the club to release the present pitches for housing.

A stormy debate is expected when the planning committee gets to grips with the application, and both the club and protestors are promising mass turnouts of supporters.

Killinghall and Hampsthwaite Parish Councils, together with Killinghall Village Protection Group have led the protest. A spokesman for the protection group, which has collected a 428-signature petition, said the plan would lead to the loss of Killinghall's rural character.