EXTRA security measures brought in at RAF Fylingdales without planning permission are to be brought before National Park planning chiefs.

A retrospective application for an internal security patrol track has been received by the planning authority.

Permission is also being sought to erect a portable Gate House at the entrance to the base.

Earlier this year Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon admitted making a mistake by not informing the authority of the proposed measures.

Some of the measures were already in the process of being built before National Park bosses put a stop to the work while planning permission was being sought.

Chief planning officer Val Dilcock said: "They had done quite a lot of the development before this application had gone in.

"Now it is just that they are doing what they should have done previously."

Mrs Dilcock said no decision had yet been taken over the future of the half-built security measures, which were to include increasing the height of existing fences and adding a new inner layer of razor wire.

She said: "Until we have everyone's consultation response in, we will not be making any recommendations.

"We are consulting with parish and district councils, English Nature, communities in the area and with peace organisations."

Mrs Dilcock added: "We will await these and then prepare a report to go before the planning committee either at the next meeting on May 9 or June 13."

Jackie Fearnley, from Fylingdales Action Network, said there were fears the base was being prepared for the controversial 'Son of Star Wars' missile defence project through the back door.

She said: "They are saying the extra security measures are required after September 11, but then how are we to know whether they want these extra measures to upgrade Fylingdales for missile defence purposes?

"All these things can just be the thin edge of the wedge."

Mrs Fearnley, who lives in nearby Goathland, said environmental concerns had been voiced about the fragile nature of the park.

She said: "Everyone is very concerned because there is a Site of Special Scientific Interest up there, and it's quite a difficult situation to monitor what is happening.

"It seems that starting to build the road could have upset the drainage of the land, but then no one can really go up there and have a look."

Mrs Fearnley added: "There are strict guidelines in place, and we don't see why there should be one rule for them and another for the rest of us."

No one from RAF Fylingdales was available for comment.

Updated: 09:04 Wednesday, April 10, 2002