INCREASING numbers of visitors to Thorp Perrow Arboretum near Bedale has led to a need to increase the number of parking spaces.

The attraction has now won conditional planning consent for more than 100 extra spaces, despite concerns about the effect on the surrounding area.

Over the past decade the arboretum has been gradually opened up to the public and school parties and a permanent tearoom and shop were opened two years ago to cope with the demand.

At times traffic congestion was such that there were fears that cars could be parked outside the site on the road between Bedale and Snape, leading to hazards.

Now Hambleton development control committee has approved a plan by the arboretum to create 115 car parking and four coach spaces in a field south of the avenue of horse chestnut trees.

A separate entrance and exit from the existing drive are to be formed. Along the southern boundary of the new parking area will be a 4ft-high embankment to act as screening and a 40-yard slope to the existing ground level of the field. New tree planting is proposed to blend with the existing landscape setting.

Planning officers said the design was a simple one which would not harm the historic landscape, but a condition should be imposed to ensure that the tree planting scheme met the requirements of English Heritage.

Councillor David Smith, the local member, expressed doubts and said: "I have grave reservations that this is an intrusion into open countryside. This is a large site and I believe there are better ways of increasing traffic flows."

But Councillor David Webster said: "It's an excellent idea. From the north side you cannot see into the car park.