PLANS to create a sprawling retirement community in the heart of North Yorkshire have sparked fury among local people.

The proposals have been labelled as "outrageous" and "totally inappropriate" by opponents who have vowed to fight against the scheme.

Local farming couple Nigel and Judy Bell - who run the Shepherd’s Purse cheese company - have submitted plans for a multi-million pound "continuing care retirement community" on land between Northallerton and Thirsk.

It would cover some 60 acres by the village of Thornton-le-Moor and be home to up to 450 people as well as create between 120 and 150 jobs.

It would comprise around 300 dwellings - apartments and cottages - as well as a nursing home and a wide range of facilities including a shop, restaurant, library, pool, medical and fitness centres and possibly even a post office.

Studies by property consultants Carter Jonas have concluded there is a "demonstrable" need for such a development in the face of a rising elderly population.

But local people are furious about the scheme - which would be bigger than the village itself and double the local population.

"We are horrified by this planning application and are unanimously against it," said parish council chairman Ian Woods yesterday.

"The light, noise and traffic pollution is going to be enormous and there is no support for this in the village at all.

"The road through the village is already very busy and is used as a cut-through by heavy traffic."

He added: "We are deeply concerned about this. It is the wrong scheme in the wrong place."

Miles Garnett, of neighbouring South Otterington, is the secretary of the local branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

"We are not against every development but this is inappropriate," he said.

"People who have expressed an interest in the scheme do not come from this area and we don’t think it’s necessary to concrete over or develop 60-odd acres for people that really aren’t local."

However the Bells say the idea is to create a "total care" community that would allow elderly people to stay together in a rural setting rather than being forced to move to towns.

"Once it is in place people will forget it's there and it will become the norm," said Mrs Bell.

"Villages are changing all the time. Communities have to move forward."