MANAGEMENT at a North Yorkshire theatre have welcomed a vote which could secure the building's future.

Planners gave their approval to the restoration of the Grade I listed Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond, at a meeting on Tuesday, bringing months of negotiations over the design to an end.

The project still needs the approval of Environment Secretary, Margaret Beckett.

However, the team behind the £1m scheme saw local opinion as the real acid test and are now hoping solid support from the council will help the project over the final hurdle.

"We also have to remember we have yet to hear if we have been successful in our application for Lottery funding for the second phase of the restoration programme - although we are hoping it will be a formality,'' said manager, Bill Sellars.

"But, once we know the outcome of that, and we hear from the Department of Environment, it will be all systems go. It's an exciting time for all of us,'' he said.

The internal restoration includes work to the stage, dressing rooms and auditorium which will better reflect the building's theatrical history - almost lost when it closed in the mid-19th Century and was used as a wine vault, an auction room, a base for the local militia and as a corn merchants.

However, it was the external alterations which proved controversial, with a new glass-fronted entrance lobby and extension to accommodate a bar and coffee lounge prompting concern.

However, architects have since worked out a compromise with the council's planning team - and it was the revised blueprints which were given the local authority's approval earlier this week.