A SCHEME to pull down a Women's Institute hall and replace it with housing and a new community hall in a North Yorkshire village has run into opposition.

A planning application has been submitted to replace the Scriven WI Hall, near Knaresborough, with three town houses and three flats, plus a new hall.

But the plan, tabled by David Collins, has met with protests from residents.

Planning officer Sara Purvis is recommending Harrogate Borough councillors refuse the scheme when they meet next Tuesday.

Ms Purvis says the scheme would harm residential amenity because the new hall would be overbearing. She also expressed concern about the potential noise and disturbance from the community project.

Ms Purvis said the plan was considered to be overdevelopment of the site and would impact on visual amenity.

Residents say the scheme would reduce street parking and would not be in keeping with surroundings. They also say the size of community hall would be too small and may not be viable.

In August this year, an application to pull down the WI hall and build a new hall along with five terrace homes and four flats was withdrawn before being considered.