GREAT Ayton residents at Low Green fear two planned extensions to a listed cottage would cut light to their properties and spoil a famous scene which is regularly reproduced on postcards and in magazines.

A number of Low Green residents have formally objected to the proposals for 2 Low Green, which is located at a right-angle to the Low Green, near Marwood School.

A planning application has been submitted to Hambleton council by applicant A Houghton to be considered at Thursday's planning committee meeting.

Resident Heather Rumney, whose home backs on to the cottage, said she was devastated to learn Hambleton planning officers had recommended approval.

She has written to object and said: "My house is on the corner of Guisborough Road and Yarm Lane. But it has a rear balcony which was one of its attractions when I bought it a couple of years ago. Hambleton council told me the plans were recommended for approval and I was devastated.

"The applicant wants to put up a huge side extension, which would cover a lovely chimney, and a second rear extension. The roofs of these two extensions would block-in my balcony completely and cut out ambient light.

"The residents in the other properties behind No 2 would have two pitched roofs at close quarters, if this plan went ahead.

"It's a lovely old cottage and it's in a pretty corner of the village - a conservation area. The whole cottage is open to view from the road. People go there to look at the Low Green."

Mrs Rumney was referring to the view from the green upstream towards the village and Roseberry Topping - a view reproduced in countless postcards and magazine features.

She said she had even written to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and English Heritage about the proposal.

She hoped to attend Hambleton council's planning committee meeting on Thursday.

Coun Frances Greenwell confirmed Great Ayton Parish Council had objected, saying: "It did not want to see development which would spoil the character of the existing property.

"The parish council has opposed this application."

Hambleton planning officer Diane Baines confirmed her department had recommended the scheme for approval at Thursday morning's meeting.

"An officer will present a report on it and councillors will then make their decision."

The officer dealing specifically with the application was unavailable for comment so Mrs Baines did not have the specific reasons behind the recommendation.

She also confirmed a number of written objections had been received from Low Green residents.