A PUBLIC meeting has been called to address villagers' fears over proposals for strict new planning regulations.

The North York Moors National Park Authority has announced plans to introduce an Article Four Direction in Thornton-le-Dale, near Pickering.

The direction would mean that planning permission is required for all minor alterations previously allowed as "permitted development", such as changing windows and painting walls.

People living in Thornton-le-Dale, one of North Yorkshire's most attractive villages, have objected to the plan.

A petition with more than 170 signatures has been collected and sent to the national park authority.

An attempt to introduce similar restrictions in Nawton and Beadlam, between Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside, was abandoned earlier this year after local people objected.

At the time, Ryedale district councillor Edward Legard said: "There are those of us who do not wish the villages of Ryedale to be pickled in time."

The public meeting will take the form of a roadshow and will be held in Thornton-le-Dale Village Hall next Monday, from 3pm to 7.30pm.

Beth Davies, building conservation officer for the national park authority, said that the aim of the Article Four Direction was to safeguard the distinct character of the village.

"Thornton-le-Dale is one of the national park's most important conservation areas and one where we really hoped residents would support the initiative," she said.

"The roadshow offers an opportunity to come and talk to us about exactly what the direction means and to raise your questions and concerns.

"We hope that we can work with the local community to address these concerns and find a balance between our duty to conserve and enhance our environment and the needs and desires of residents."

The final decision about whether the Article Four Direction will be introduced will be made at a planning committee meeting in the coming months.

A spokeswoman for the authority said: "We are aware that many residents in Thornton-le-Dale are opposed to the retention of the new direction.

"We would particularly like to find out whether there are ways in which the direction could be amended to make it more acceptable for the local community."