VILLAGERS have won their fight to halt plans for a pig farm to be turned into light industrial units.

Residents in Dishforth, near Ripon, had objected to the plans at a public meeting and planners at Harrogate Borough Council were sent 55 individual protest letters ahead of a planning meeting this week.

There was also strong opposition from Dishforth Parish Council.

Originally, the plan by Joseph E Swiers Ltd for the conversion at West End Farm was recommended for approval by planning officer Richard Forrester.

Plannning committee chairman Councillor Nigel Simms (Masham) said that following a detailed site visit, the highways authority had changed its mind saying there was insufficient provision for turning heavy vehicles and there would be a negative impact on residents.

Three councillors voted to reject the scheme, there were four abstentions and one in favour.

If the scheme had gone ahead, some existing farmyard buildings would have been converted while others would have been demolished.

Dishforth Parish Council expressed worries about increased traffic and loss of residential amenity for neighbours in Clarkes Croft.

The parish council protest said there were at least six other industrial sites with units available which would not impact on domestic amenity in the Boroughbridge, Melmerby and Sharow areas.