RESIDENTS in the childhood village of author Lewis Carroll will fight on against plans to close a historic hotel.

The Coast and Country group, owners of the Grade II-listed Croft Spa Hotel, want to convert it into 39 flats and houses.

Villagers in Croft, near Darlington, are opposing the plans because they fear its closure will be bad for the village.

They are also concerned about an increase in traffic and lack of car parking.

Following a public meeting on Friday, residents said the owner had agreed to review the plans following the opposition.

Resident Malcolm Rennison said: "The parish council were asked by the village to arrange the meeting.

"It was standing room only, there were that many people there.

"There were various contributions from people in the village. They all described how the character of the village would be destroyed.

"Nobody stood up and supported it."

The Coast and Country group had applied to Richmondshire District Council's planning department to convert the hotel into ten flats, six two-storey houses, 14 two-storey flats and nine three-storey flats.

Mr Rennison said: "The owner stated he would be withdrawing his plans, but he would be resubmitting some more at a later date. He said he would be decreasing the number of units.

"It was a successful meeting, but we will fight on."

Mr Rennison added: "We think the hotel will be changed into some sort of residential development.

"The main argument now is the increase in traffic and how much car parking will be available."