A RIDING centre could be extended to provide a cafe, lecture room and a second indoor riding area if councillors give plans the go-ahead this week.

The owners of Northallerton Equestrian Centre, John and Tracy Walker, have applied for permission to extend the facility, at Yafforth, North Yorkshire.

They want to extend the indoor riding school to create office space, a cafe, a lecture room, seating area and toilets.

Under the plans, a covered area and a riding area would also be built to the south of the arena.

The centre, off Myers Lane, is used by riding clubs in the evenings and gives lessons during the day. At weekends, bookings are taken for pony club and dressage shows.

Yafforth and Thrintoft parish councils said they wanted the application rejected because of an increase in traffic and the poor condition of a bridleway that leads to the centre.

Three letters of objection have been sent to the council from residents. However, the same number of letters have been received in support of the application.

Hambleton District Council planning officer Lydia Spiller has recommended the plans be approved.

She said: "The development is of a design and layout which will not result in a detrimental impact upon the landscape character of the surrounding countryside or the amenities of the locality."

Councillors will decide on Thursday.