A civic watchdog has welcomed Yorkshire Agricultural Society plans to consult on the future of its Great Yorkshire Showground, in Harrogate.

Henry Pankhurst, planning spokesman for Harrogate Civic Society, said his organisation had been briefed on the project by the society.

Proposals include a regional agricultural centre, a farm shop and cafe, a budget hotel, mainly for those attending events on the site, and an exhibition hall.

The scheme will involve a new internal road system and three new roundabouts, one at the Wetherby Road-Forest Lane-Rudding Lane junction, which sometimes becomes congested.

Mr Pankhurst said that although none of the proposals were yet the subject of planning applications, his society looked forward to being involved.