A REPORT drawn up with the intention of creating a new conservation area near Guisborough has been unanimously approved by the North York Moors National Park Authority.

Following a public inquiry into the Local Plan which was attended by more than 100 people, the authority has decided to proceed with the inspector's view that land at Home Farm and Hutton Gate merited protection from development.

In his report, the inspector said: "The extent of the land and consequent capacity for housing or other development, its proximity to a large built-up area, its attractive character and its location near the wooded slopes of the moors made the combination unusual within the park."

Home Farm and Hutton Hall are situated in the Borough of Redcar and Cleveland within Guisborough parish.

Located on the urban fringe of Guisborough, the area acts as a buffer between urban an suburban development around Guisborough and the Cleveland Hills.

Home Farm is unusual and possibly unique in the area as a Victorian farm which has survived with little alteration.

Hutton Hall, a two-storey Gothic pile, was built for Sir Joseph Whitwell Pease, a wealthy Quaker, in 1866-7.

Presenting the report to the planning committee, planning assistant Judith Ferrier said that when all the findings had been analysed, the report would come back to the authority for approval.

Coun David McLuckie, member from Skelton, said: "I congratulate the officer for what is a fantastic document."

The report highlights several historic sites including Hutton Gate station, constructed in 1865 as a private station for the Pease family, which remained in use until 1903. The railway was closed in 1964 and part of its track is now a public footpath.

Grade II listed bridges and traditional gates and fencing dating back to the 1800s were worth protecting and several buildings of local significance were highlighted including the Station House, Garden House, Bousdale Cottages, the stable block, Cleveland House and garden wall and Hutton Village terraces.

There are a number of features that date back to when the area was mined heavily for ironstone and jet.

A survey of trees within the hall parkland is to be carried out. On The Avenue which leads to Home Farm and the hall, trees were planted for the 21st birthday of one of the Pease daughters.

Blue Lake, which was constructed to provide power to run the hydraulic hoist and other machinery at Home Farm, is currently marshland but the Friends of Home Farm are seeking to reinstate the lake to its former glory.

Hutton Lowcross Woods and Guisborough Woods are heavily used for recreation and attract many visitors from surrounding settlements such as Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough and Great Ayton.

The report concluded with the recommendation that the conservation area be provisionally named Hutton Lowcross.

Miss Ferrier said: "It is an area which reflects the region's industrial heritage.