A SCHEME to build a church meeting hall has divided a North Yorkshire village over its design.

The Church of the Holy Cross, at Swainby, near Northallerton, uses a former grade-II listed school as a meeting place.

But Whorlton Parochial Church Council, which covers the area, wants to convert the school for housing.

It wants to build a new meeting place in Church Lane to replace the school, which dates from before 1870.

The new building would be close to the church with the two to be joined by a cloister-style design.

But some locals have criticised the plan, saying it is an over-development and will be unsightly.

They feel the choice of materials for the new building is wrong and that approval of the plans could set a precedent. But other villagers have supported the scheme saying it is attractive and will provide a much-needed facility.

The North York Moors National Park planning committee is to decide upon the plans on Thursday.

The park's planning committee has visited the site and the scheme is recommended for approval.

A separate plan to alter the school to create housing has been already been approved by the planning committee.