AMBITIOUS plans to extend and improve Richmond's Georgian theatre royal, said to be the best of its type in Europe, won the unanimous backing of Richmondshire councillors this week.

The district planning committee took just ten minutes to grant permission for the £1m project following months of negotiation between officers, architects and theatre management.

Members also agreed to urge the Environment Secretary, who has the final say on the listed building consent needed for the work to go ahead, to look favourably on the scheme.

Mr David Elliott, the council's building conservation officer, told the committee that the theatre in Victoria Road was one of only ten grade one listed theatres in the country and the best-preserved 18th century provincial playhouse in Europe.

"It is a building of national importance, probably international importance, as well as immense local importance to the people of Richmond," he said. As such, extending and improving the building sensitively presented a tough challenge.

"Lengthy and extensive negotiations have taken place between council officers and the applicants and I believe what has come out is a scheme which responds to the building and its setting," Mr Elliott told the meeting on Tuesday.

The plans which were approved differed greatly from the original proposals, which hit controversy last year because some consultees found them too radical.

The approved scheme sees demolition of a 60s' flat-roofed wing, to be replaced by a pitched roofed stone extension linked to the existing building by a glass-fronted entrance and foyer. The work will create a new bar and coffee lounge, disabled access, lift and toilets, and improvements to the backstage area.

The proposals have been supported by the town's Dare disabled group, and the North-East civic society has said they are a great improvement on the originals.

Richmond Town Council generally backed the scheme but was concerned at some design details, mainly concerning the style of the roof.

Coun Jane Metcalfe, district council chairman, told the committee: "I have had a lot of comments from people in the town who are quite delighted with the proposals. This is one of the most exciting things to happen in Richmond for a long time."

Coun Katherine Carr said the glass-fronted section made an attractive demarcation between the 18th century building and what was a "very splendid modern building."

She aded: "This is a great step forward for Richmond because we badly need some really good modern architecture to show that, in fact, the town can move forward."

Coun Jane Parlour said the project was essential to ensure the viability of the theatre and that disabled people were not discriminated against.

The Georgian theatre was built by Samuel Butler and opened in 1788.

Following closure in the mid-19th century, the building was converted to a warehouse before being restored and re-opened in 1962.

The theatre is due to close for a year from March next year to allow the extension work to go ahead.

Productions will be staged at the nearby Zetland Christian community centre until the theatre re-opens in spring, 2003.

Lottery and other grants have been secured towards the scheme, which is now about £150,000 short of its target, and a public appeal continues.