A SCHEME to create a herb-growing business in a North Yorkshire village has won council support despite protests.

The development control committee from Hambleton District Council has approved plans for Herbs Unlimited to move to a field to the south of Sandhutton, near Thirsk.

The business, owned by Alison Dodd, will include eight polytunnels and a building for packing, storage, and an office.

Villagers protested against the plans during a site visit by councillors last week.

Councillor David Webster said: "The biggest problem that seems to be bugging the parishioners is the eyesore or blot on the landscape as they call it.

"I can tell you that although it is summertime and the trees are in life, if you look at Carlton Miniott and Sandhutton from that field, you cannot see one single window in those houses. "

But Councillor David Smith said he had concerns about the plans. "Whether it can be seen from someone's window or not is irrelevant," he said. "This will obviously impact greatly on the open countryside."

Maurice Cann, head of development control at Hambleton, said the farmer who owned the field had permitted development rights for bigger agricultural buildings than the polytunnels proposed.

The scheme - recommended for approval by planning officials - was passed.