A PARISH council is protesting against moves to turn a farmers' auction mart into a housing development.

Members of Masham Parish Council voted unanimously to oppose suggestions by planning consultants to replace the mart with homes.

Chairman of the council Andrew Burrell said members acted after concerns were expressed by farmers worried that the facility could disappear.

The mart, in Leyburn Road, was previously known as Masham Auction Mart but became Craven Cattle Marts Limited after the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Coun Burrell said the council was making its views known to Harrogate Borough Council, which is preparing a new Local Development Framework for the district.

He said the parish council wanted the idea deleted so the auction mart could continue to trade successfully.

"Local farmers regard it as a vital facility that is also a thriving business," he said. "The parish council will fully support any attempt to keep the mart open. It is, after all, one of the reasons why Masham is here and is part of our heritage."

Fears for the future of the site surfaced after planning consultants Turley Associates put forward the suggestion to Harrogate planners as part of a consultation for the development blueprint.

A spokesman for Harrogate council said the next stage of the framework would not be considered until March next year.

No one at Craven Cattle Marts was available to comment.