AN abandoned base for outdoor activities could be given a new lease of life as a centre for Scouts on expedition.

Ten temporary buildings making up the former ICI outdoor centre near Ingleby Greenhow were last used about seven years ago and are in a state of disrepair.

Now Redcar and Eston District Scouts are aiming to refurbish one of the buildings to use it as a canteen, kitchen and activity building.

Two other buildings will be restored and used as accommodation for Scouts at the site, about two miles south of the village, in a secluded woodland.

The conversion plans, which will be considered by the North York Moors National Park Authority later this month, have been approved by the parish council.

Park chief planning officer Val Dilcock said the site was well screened, not easily visible from public viewpoints, and sufficiently far away from houses to mean disturbance was unlikely.

But she said there were potential problems over a suitable water supply, and the Scouts would need to consult with environmental health officers before they could move in.