A GRADE II listed building has been saved from falling into ruin after planning permission was granted to transform it into luxury holiday accommodation.

The 19th Century stable block once linked to Marske Hall, in Marske village near Richmond, has been derelict for a many years after previous attempts to find a use for it failed.

The building, identified as 'at risk' by English Heritage, was last used as stables in 1960 before being used by  Marske Village Hall Association in 1963 as a meeting place.

However, it has stood empty for many years until current owner Roger Tempest bought it in 2009 with the intention of turning it into nine luxury self-catering cottages.

Duncan Hartley, director of planning at Rural Solutions Ltd, which acted as as agent for Mr Tempest, said: “The building was very much at risk as it has been standing empty for far too long.

“We worked with the Yorkshire Dales National Park and local planning officers to develop a high quality project which would not only save this fantastic building but also bring economic vitality into the local community by creating jobs and bringing visitors to the area.”

He said that scheme “not only saves this building from going to ruin but also creates a viable rural business and supports the local economy.”

Yorkshire Dales National Park planning officers said as long as the developers maintain a sensitive approach to the conversion, it would not prove detrimental to the environment or the building.