A SCHEME to build eight homes and six flats behind a well-known hotel has been turned down by councillors.

Developers had planned to build the homes behind the Feathers Hotel, in Helmsley, and wanted to reduce the size of the hotel by removing some extensions and building on a garden and part of the car park.

However, several residents objected to the scheme because of the access to Pottergate and the loss of parking at the Feathers.

The town council opposed the development on the grounds of it being an over-development in a conservation area and feared that the increase in traffic and pedestrians on the lane from Pottergate would "cause numerous problems and accidents".

North Yorkshire Highways was also concerned. Alan Martin, senior engineer, said the scheme was premature until a traffic policy had been formulated.

Ryedale's northern area planning committee backed planning officer David Butt and refused of the scheme.