A PLAN to create an airfield in a moorland field were scuppered after experts said it could threaten several species of protected birds.

Nightjars and goshawks would be particularly affected, members of the North York Moors National Park's planning committee were told at their meeting at Helmsley.

Robert Walker of South Moor Farm, at Ebberston, had wanted a single runaway on his remote farm but the plan was opposed by the Forestry Commission, British Trust for Ornithology, RSPB, North Yorkshire Moors Association, Byways and Bridleways Trust, three parish councils, British Horse Society, and ramblers.

In addition more than 30 letters of objection were received by the committee claiming that protected species including merlin, common buzzard, goshawk, great grey shrike, cuckoo, crossbill, sparrow hawk, and turtle dove would be threatened.

Others complained that the airfield would be dangerous to bridleway users, and archaeology in the area.

In addition to refusing permission the committee also withdrew the permitted rights for aircraft to use the field without formal permission for 28 days a year.