VILLAGERS have vowed to fight long running plans which have gone to appeal to build a large-scale retirement village on the outskirts of a small rural village.

Nigel and Judy Bell, the owners of Shepherds Purse cheese makers, at Newsham, near Thirsk, want to build the 60-acre Thornton Gate project.

They want to build it between Thornton-le-Moor and South Otterington, located between Thirsk and Northallerton, despite protests.

Locals set up the Thornton-le-Moor Action Group to help oppose the scheme to create a 150 unit site.

Hambleton District Council refused the scheme in April of this year but now the Bells have lodged an appeal against this decision.

The Bells have asked the Planning Inspectorate to look into the matter in the hope of overturning the council’s view.

Councillor Ian Woods, chairman of Thornton Parish Council and an action group member, said: "We were well aware of stirrings that it might be sent to appeal.

"Our hearts wished it would be ended when the council refused it approval but in our minds we felt otherwise.

"The villagers are still against the scheme for the same reasons as before and we’re disappointed by this decision.

"There’s no need for it in that location whatsoever. They had a half hearted consultation about this with the villagers.

"We will be going to the appeal hearing and we have not heard anything from the district council to say it has changed its mind over this.

"This plan goes against everything the people in the village want and they have told the Bells this too."

The scheme dates back around 18 months when the first plans for the site, which was then called Thornton Fields, were submitted.

They looked to create a 40-bed care home, 251 cottages and 60 apartments in a retirement village style setting.

The multi-million pound project also wanted to build community, leisure and sports facilities for the envisaged 440 people and 120 staff on the site.

The district council recommended the Thornton Fields project be refused and the Bells withdrew the plan before it was debated.

Earlier this year the smaller Thornton Gate scheme was submitted to the district council by the Bells in the hope of approval.

This project seeks to build 100 independent living units and 50 assisted living units with associated parking.

The Bells also want to create social, medical, fitness, administration and ancillary facilities with a range external facilities there too.

Despite being smaller the residents’ action group felt the initial scheme would be enlarged if it was approved.

The Thornton-le-Moor Action Group is also angry that Anne McIntosh, the Thirsk and Malton MP, has refused to get involved in the squabble.

Mr Bell declined to comment on the application and the appeal which will be heard at Stone Cross the district council’s Northallerton-base.

No-one at Carter Jonas, the Bell’s agent, could be contacted to comment. The district council declined to comment.