VILLAGERS packed a meeting to voice a united protest over plans to create an industrial site in their area.

Residents of Bishop Monkton, near Ripon, are angry about plans to convert existing buildings on a former Army training site, in Roecliffe Road, for warehousing and general industrial use.

Parish council chairman Mervyn Beecroft said it feared up to 50 vehicle movements a day if the scheme went ahead.

Villagers are worried that that big lorries will be using narrow country roads where it is already impossible in some places for two vehicles to pass.

The site is outside the village and was previously used by the Royal Engineers as a training base for bridge-building alongside the River Ure. It is opposite the Newby Hall stately home and grounds, which is a popular visitor attraction.

The application for change of use has been tabled by Newby Hall Estate. Agent John Hoddinott said he had anticipated concern about large vehicles using a narrow road, but said the proposed use would be no more intense than previous Army use.

"We feel there is a need to do something with the buildings rather that just let them remain redundant, and to make the best use of rural assets," he said.

A protest petition has been started in Bishop Monkton and residents are being urged by the parish council to make their views known to Harrogate Borough Council, whose Ripon area planning committee will consider the issue.