VILLAGERS fear their homes will be at increased risk from flooding if a neighbour's plan to enlarge a pond into a two- acre lake gets the go ahead.

Kevin Tiplady, of KT Horticulture, Great Langton, near Northallerton, wants to create the wildlife lake and a mound on agricultural land used for grazing.

It would include an existing 50m by 40m pond, created without planning permission, and will be five metres deep, with an island, and be stocked with coarse fish for fishing by the owner.

However, local people say the existing pond contributed to the recent flooding of a number of properties in the village, and fear a bigger one would raise the water table, making the problems worse.

They also claim the size of the pond is excessive, and fear it could be used for commercial fishing.

Complaints have been made about proposed woodland already being planted with trees and shrubs which are not indigenous broad leaf species as stated in the application.

Council planning officer Diane Baines agreed that an enlarged lake would affect the floodplain, run-off water and water table, and expressed concern as the village was close to the River Swale floodplain.

She said that the large pond would also harm the appearance of the large-scale natural contours of the land, and has recommended Hambleton District Council refuse permission.

The district council will consider the planning application on Thursday.