Residents are opposing plans for 12 homes on a grass paddock which they say will destroy the character of their village.

Recent and current house building in the tiny village of Finghall, near Leyburn is already increasing the village by around 25 per cent, say opponents. They warn the planned new development will increase noise and light pollution, make traffic problems worse and be an invasion of privacy for many residents who will be overlooked by the new development.

The applicants however say the development is in line with the local plan with four of the 12 houses for local occupancy which will be a boost for the village.

They add: "The proposal sits well with its context, and will address social inequalities and disadvantages within the community through the provision of local occupancy housing. The proposal is an efficient use of land foot print however, the density is in harmony with the rural context. The development also seeks to provide ecological benefits to the site with the addition of tree belt planting and maintaining large areas of grass land."

The village is renowned for its annual Finghall Barrel Push involving competitors pushing a heavy barrel up the steep hill which is a gateway to the community. Residents say it had been hoped the grass paddock at the centre of the application in Blewhouse Lane could have been used as a playground.

One resident said: "The field which is the proposed plot has been used for many years as an unofficial safe dog exercise area and a children's play area. It has been suggested that it would be an ideal location for a safe playground/village green and perhaps for use for village celebration events and the famous Finghall Barrel Push and Village Fete, but there has been no opportunity to buy the land to preserve some green open space within the village."

Another added: "Given the narrow lanes, blind corners, steep hills, flooding, poor road surfaces, lack of street lighting, lack of pavements, movements of farm machinery, horse riding and pedestrians, descriptions which apply to all of the lanes through and exiting Finghall village, there must surely be a serious traffic issue to be addressed in relation to the proposed development."

Fellow resident Barry Lincoln said the application had to be considered by the council's planning committee and not at officer level because it was such a large scale development in the village. He added: "The proposed development does not benefit the rural dales village of Finghall, its residents or their enjoyment of its surroundings. It would permanently destroy the character of an attractive, rural Dales village and should therefore be refused."