A PLAN to convert a disused chapel into a house has been rejected because graves are only 3ft away from what would be the front door.

Hambleton District Council development control committee heard yesterday that Mr E R King wanted listed building consent and planning approval to convert the chapel of ease at Thornton le Beans into a house.

In a report to the meeting , planning officers pointed out that the graveyard was still very much in use and 15ft away from the chapel at one point and only 3ft at another.

The parish council objected to the plan, saying that the graveyard was still a very special pace for surviving parishioners who had close relatives buried in what was a tranquil setting.