A PLAN to convert a North York Moors village pub into a private house looks set to win approval from the National Park Authority, despite opposition from the local parish council.

The Mitre Tavern, at Glaisdale, in the Esk Valley, was originally given permission to be converted in 1999, but work was stopped at the eleventh hour when new owners stepped in and continued it as a pub after it had been empty for three years.

Now, owners Mr and Mrs D Mullins are wanting the planning permission extended because trade is so poor.

In a statement to the park's planning committee, they said: "There have been several occupiers and tenants of The Mitre over the past few years and we are the longest to stay, for four years.

The committee will meet next week to decide the extension application.

Glaisdale Parish Council says it is against the plan because the loss of the pub would be detrimental to the village.

When the original application was approved Glaisdale had three pubs but, since then, The Moon and Sixpence has closed and planning permission given for its conversion to a house.

Park officers say that if the pub is given the permission, the owners would be in a better position to keep it open for longer and assess its longer-time viability. If the plan is rejected, it could close in the next few months because the original approval for the conversion expires in December.