A MOORLAND farming family have been told to rethink plans to build a conservatory on the front of their remote farmhouse, which they say is vital to conserve heat and improve their quality of life.

The North York Moors National Park's planning committee deferred a decision on plans from the Wildsmith family for a porch-conservatory at Grays Farm, Fadmoor, to enable the possibility of a more acceptable design being produced.

The committee heard that the conservatory was a much-needed asset to the home, where the applicants could keep outdoor clothing and footwear. It would also prevent heat loss from the kitchen.

The scheme for the farm, two kilometres north of Gillamoor, won unanimous support from the local parish meeting because of the benefits it would provide for the family, the committee was told.

Among the residents who wrote to the committee supporting the plans was Richard Wright Hogleby, the immediate neighbour, who said the applicants had only one door into the house. "The porch will allow them access to their home without, at the same time, cold air rushing into it."

But Val Dilcock, the park's chief planning officer, said the size of the conservatory remained unchanged from an original plan considered last September, which was deferred for revised plans.

"While the revised scheme proposes to utilise more appropriate materials, it is not considered that it overcomes our previous concerns." She said that planning policies stated that extensions to properties would be permitted, providing the scheme did not detract from the character and appearance of the main building.

Mrs Dilcock said the current plan showed that the conservatory would be visible from both the highway and a public footpath which passes through the farmyard and in front of the farmhouse.

After several members said they supported the idea in principle, it was agreed to defer a decision in the hope that a suitably designed conservatory could be produced.

Other decisions made by the committee included approvals for a new classroom at Osmotherley Primary School to provide better teaching accommodation for the 64 pupils; an extension at Rose Croft, Appleton-le-Moors; and a further ten caravans for winter-storage at Overbook Caravan Park, Maltongate, Thornton-le-Dale.

Updated: 09:06 Wednesday, January 15, 2003