RESIDENTS packed a planning meeting yesterday to oppose plans for a multi-million pound concert hall at Ripon Cathedral's Choir School.

After hearing the objectors' case and a plea from the applicants for support, members of Ripon City Council planning committee voted to oppose the 350-seat auditorium project.

A plan to build ten homes on the site in Whitcliffe Lane was linked to the application.

A final decision on the project, which is expected to cost £9m, will be made by Harrogate Borough Council, the planning authority.

Residents living near the school are concerned about what they regard as an insufficient number of parking places.

When first announced, the assembly hall project won the support of music and art groups.

But residents say it would have too big an impact on the neighbourhood.

And they say the housing element is outside city development limits and should not be allowed to go ahead.

Councillor John Stockdale, who chaired the meeting, said residents were particularly concerned that there would be only 52 parking spaces for anticipated additional traffic.

Residents fear if the auditorium scheme gets the go-ahead, about 100 cars would have to park in nearby roads when the facility was in use.

Meanwhile, a separate application to build a classroom to create a nursery won the backing of the city council.