A PROJECT that aims to convert a Grade II-listed church into a village hall has taken a major step forward.

The scheme, in Dishforth, near Thirsk, has won planning permission from Harrogate Borough Council.

Parish councillors want to sell the current village hall, which is badly in need of repair, and move to Christ Church.

English Heritage has agreed to match-fund the proceeds of the sale of the present hall site. It has previously been valued at £150,000.

The project has been backed by Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh.

She said: "I am delighted for the community of Dishforth and its surrounding area on the happy news that planning permission has been granted for the new use of this space as a community space.

"At a time when so many rural communities are losing amenity space and meeting places to make room for increasing levels of housing, it is heart-warming to see that this village and its residents have been successful in their bid to maintain a focal point where the community can come together.

"I would like to wish the residents of Dishforth all the best with the renovation works and very much look forward to visiting the new village hall upon completion.

"I have written to Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, the chairman of the New Opportunities Fund, and North Yorkshire County Council to inquire as to available funds."

The parish council chairman, David Wells, said it was pleased planning permission had been granted, but he stressed that a lot of work was still needed before any work could start on converting the church.

"We are delighted because until we had planning permission, we had no project," he said. "But now the groundwork really starts.

"As a parish council and trustees, we are committed to the project, but there are several steps that we have to negotiate before we go on to the next stage."

He added that the parish council was now going to seek advice about the best way to market the old village hall site.