PROTESTERS fighting plans to narrow a village road have lost their battle.

Appleton Roebuck villagers gathered last week to oppose plans to build out into Main Street when Selby District councillors visited the site.

But the scheme was voted through by planning members despite the opposition.

The Rev John Roden, a spokesman for the opponents, said: "I am absolutely appalled and disgusted by the whole thing.

"Nearly the whole community of Appleton Roebuck is opposed to this, as is the Diocese of York, the conservation area advisory committee of the council, the councillors who visited the site and the parish council."

Wrigley Property Developments won permission to build two houses on the site behind Woodview, in Main Street.

It will include a private drive linking the homes to the road. Main Street would have to be narrowed to achieve the necessary visibility from the driveway.

It is estimated that would mean losing 70 centimetres from width of the road.

The protesters blocked half of Main Street with an eight-wheel tractor to show the effect that narrowing would have. The vehicle is a common user of the road, which cuts through a strongly agricultural area.

Farmer Charles Mills said: "I am concerned that if the road is any narrower we couldn't get these vehicles down here, which would effectively mean we couldn't get to our land."

Selby District Council received 90 letters objecting to the plans, which represents nearly 50 per cent of the village, said Mr Roden.

A spokesman for Wrigley Property Development Ltd., based at Bolton Percy, declined to comment on the situation.

Updated: 10:58 Friday, December 21, 2001