PLANS to develop an equestrian cross country course outside Malton have been approved, despite reservations about noise nuisance to neighbours.

Members of Ryedale District Council approved the proposal at a central area planning committee.

The application will mean up to a total of 12 events a year can be held on the cross country and paddock areas at the site, outside Thornthorpe, near Malton.

Coun Brian Cottam, supporting the application, said: "If you can't have a cross country course in the country, where can you have it?"

Officers recommended the scheme for approval subject to several conditions, including one which prevented any PA system being used at the site.

But Coun Pam Anderson questioned this decision, saying: "I would have thought they needed a PA system, for example, to call the doctors and report a broken fence and so on."

Coun Keith Knaggs said: "I think we are being far too restrictive. We are saying that yes, we support this, but then we are putting in a condition which will make it very difficult."

Updated: 11:29 Monday, January 20, 2003