A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build three homes on what was once a village green has been approved by the North York Moors National Park's planning committee.

The scheme had been strongly opposed by the parish council at Wass and more than half of the residents who feared losing a valuable open space in the centre of the village.

The site, at the junction of Wass Bank and Hambleton Lane, had been identified for development by JE Houseman, of Water End, York.

Objectors said it would result in an 11 per cent increase in the number of homes in Wass - "significantly increasing the number of incomers".

But Val Dilcock, the chief planning officer, said a site visit by members of the planning committee revealed it was overgrown, while mature trees would be retained.

She said its status as a village green appeared to have ended in 1924 and there was no evidence of the site being registered as a village green or common.

The committee rejected plans for a single-storey extension and conversion of a barn to living accommodation at Hollydene Cottage, Low Crosslets Farm, Raisdale; four homes at The Forge, Sneaton; and eight holiday cabins on the site of Lowfield Caravan Park, Staintondale.