CHURCHGOERS' plans to avoid parking problems near a chapel have been hit by safety concerns.

Plans have been drawn up to create an eight-space car park on land near Our Lady of Mount Grace Chapel, Osmotherley.

The plans were submitted by Father Damian Humphries, resident of the Catholic chapel, for land near North End.

The scheme was put forward to make it easier for parishioners to access the church on Sundays.

Entry would be from Back Lane, and the church hopes its scheme will stop parking problems elsewhere.

But North Yorkshire County Council highways section has concerns about the plans on safety grounds.

A spokesman said: "Concern must be expressed with regard to the extra traffic that will be generated on Back Lane.

"The highway authority also has concerns with regard to the visibility that is available at the existing access to the proposed car park."

The North York Moors National Park Authority, which will debate the plan, has been urged to approve the scheme by its planners.

The scheme will go before the national park's planning committee on Thursday.