A LONG-RUNNING campaign for a new community hall looks likely to be successful after council officials backed the project.

Community leaders in Hutton Rudby, near Northallerton, were dealt a blow last year when Hambleton District Council officers indicated that the proposed state-of-the-art hall was not in keeping with the conservation area.

Residents spent a year collecting the £800,000 needed to replace the dilapidated hall.

Their efforts look likely to pay off, after amended proposals were judged to have less of an impact on the area than the original scheme.

The parish council has submitted plans for the old hall to be demolished and a new building, with 820sqm of floorspace, built in its place.

Ground floor accommodation will include a main hall with a badminton court, foyer, function room, kitchen and stage, and the first floor will feature a meeting room and gallery