A TOURIST attraction's attempt to build on its success looks set to be given the go-ahead despite the objections of the local parish council.

The Yorkshire Lavender Farm was set up in the mid-1990s in North Yorkshire's Howardian Hills, an officially-designated area of outstanding natural beauty.

Since then it has enjoyed growing success and last year managed to buck the trend by increasing the number of visitors despite the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Owner Nigel Goodwill now wants to expand on that by creating a visitor centre, shop and tea room on the farm, which is immediately west of the village of Terrington.

His latest scheme is larger than a similar plan which won the backing of Ryedale councillors last year and again the planning committee is being recommended to approve it.

But while the project has the wholehearted backing of the Yorkshire Tourist Board, Terrington Parish Council has come out firmly against it.

"At the outset of this application the parish council were very concerned as to what this development would become in size," said parish clerk Ann Hartas.

"Bit by bit it has grown and is now approximately twice as big as the original application and it feels there is more to come. The area for growing lavender is only approximately half-an-acre and we feel that the area for sales and information cannot be justified.

"We must express our fears that the development, if allowed to grow as indicated, could lead to a further application for a dwelling on the site."

In support of the application the tourist board says the proposal is in line with its current strategy, as additional facilities will improve the quality of the attraction.

Lavender Farm insists that the new facilities are needed to meet the needs of the increasing numbers of visitors.

It also claims it will help the local economy and create jobs.

Planning officers are now urging councillors to give the scheme the go-ahead, subject to a series of stringent conditions.