PLANS for a housing development in a rural village have provoked strong protests.

Under the proposals, five houses with garages would be built on a field in Fylingthorpe, near Robin Hood's Bay, on the North York Moors.

The houses would be partly brick faced and partly rendered, with first-floor windows set in slate roofs.

More than 100 letters have been sent to the North York Moors National Park Authority about the plans, which are due to be considered by members on Thursday.

Residents say the proposals are out of character with the rest of the village and would cause traffic problems.

Other objections are that the development would involve the removal of an old hedge and an old stone wall, spoil the view at the site and cause drainage problems.

A 46-name petition has also been put together by visitors to the village.

Scarborough Borough councillor Jane Mortimer, who lives in Fylingthorpe, said what the village needed was affordable housing.

"Low-cost housing for local people might be needed, but this is not an appropriate location and they are not low cost or affordable," she said.

A statement from the Fylingdales Villages Trust said: "This is a gross over-development of the site, not in keeping with this part of the village, and would therefore detract from its character."

The plans have also brought criticism from Fylingdales Women's Institute, which said building the houses would create more traffic and impair safety as the site lies near a bend in the road and a steep hill.

Fylingdales Parish Council voiced strong objections, saying access to the houses would create a danger to an already busy road and that they believe it would be an over-development of the site.

Val Dilcock, chief planning officer for the national park authority, will make a recommendation on the application at Thursday's meeting, but has suggested that a site visit by members should be carried out.

Outline planning permission for two houses on the site was refused in 1987 and an appeal against the decision was dismissed.