VILLAGERS fighting plans for a rural church to be turned into a house say the controversial scheme shows a lack of respect and dignity.

Residents of Thornton-le-Beans, near Northallerton, are outraged at the proposed conversion of the former Chapel of Ease, which they believe would be distressing for families visiting graves.

A planning application, due to be considered by Hambleton District Council this week, is being opposed by the parish council and the Friends of the Chapel of Ease charity.

Twenty-three letters of objection have been sent to the district council, including 12 from people who said they had relatives buried in the graveyard.

Parish council chairman Bob Baker said: "It is a special place for many parishioners who have close relatives interred in what is currently a tranquil setting with a backdrop of the chapel building, undisturbed by the everyday trappings and bustle of domestic life.

"Unlike many long-filled and forgotten city centre graveyards, this remains an important part of the spiritual lives of many within the parish."

Objectors also hit out at a lack of parking facilities, saying there would be obstructions to other users, including mourners.

Residents' concerns have been noted by council planners, who are recommending that the application is turned down at a meeting on Thursday.

Planning officer Tom Wood said: "The main recurring theme in the correspondence is that the use of the building as a dwelling will cause harm to the graveyard.

"This is specified as being the effect that residential occ-upation of the dwelling would have on the general ambience of the graveyard, the lack of respect that it shows to the deceased and the lack of dignity that would result for visitors to the graveyard."

He said: "There can be no doubt that the local community considers that the graveyard and its setting in a commanding position on the edge of the village is of very great amenity value.