A SCHEME by the Caravan Club to upgrade its site at Rosedale Abbey has been approved by the North York Moors National Park authority.

The plan, to provide a complex for a reception area, wardens bathroom, garage and store, together with a warden compound and ancillary improvement work, had been opposed by the Rosedale and Hartoft Conservation Action Group, and a large number of villagers.

The Council for the Protection of Rural England said the scheme conflicted with the park's planning policies and it represented a major expansion of the existing site.

There was also a 31-signature petition from the Rosedale and District Agricultural Society against the scheme.

However, the authority approved the scheme after a long debate, with 18 conditions, including withdrawal of permitted development rights and that there should not be a brid-ge built over the river nearby.

Other schemes approved included conversion of the former Methodist chapel at Lastington to a house; conversion of buildings at Midge Hall Farm, Rosedale to a house; conversion of attic store to a study at Beck Hall, Priestman's Lane, Thornton-le-Dale; relaxation of occupancy condition on Priest Barn Farm, Ampleforth; refurbishment and extension of workshop and office at Larchwood House, Cropton; and change of use of an outbuilding to provide two bedrooms opposite Chapel Cottage, Hutton-le-Hole.

l The moors authority has given approval for the replacement of the church hall at Carlton in Cleveland.

The parochial church council said it wants to build a more permanent structure on the site of the single-storey timber and felt construction