An award-winning pub, considered to be the final remnant of the railways at Easingwold, is likely to be converted into a house.

After more than 100 years of business, The Station Hotel closed earlier this year and Hambleton District Council planners are now to debate an application to turn the property into a single dwelling with a garage.

Officers are recommending councillors approve the scheme, saying that modifications to the property would not harm the appearance of the historic building.

The Station Hotel opened in 1892 to serve the Easingwold Railway, which was the country's shortest standard gauge railway.

Land surrounding The Station Hotel was formerly occupied by Easingwold railway station itself and the railway yard, but since the closure of the line to the town, the land has been redeveloped for housing.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has expressed concern about the move, lamenting the loss of the pub, which won the Evening Press pub of the year competition in 1993.

But in a report to planners, Steve Quartermain, director of planning and environmental services at the district council, said: "The loss of a public house or hotel accommodation in this setting is not restricted by the Hambleton district-wide local plan policies.

"The concerns of CAMRA referred to in the consultation responses are acknowledged, but cannot be addressed on this occasion."

He added: "The interest of the building is retained by the scheme. The modifications necessary to form the garage are proposed in a manner that is not harmful to the appearance of the building."

Despite the views of CAMRA, Mr Quartermain said the district council had received no other complaints about the proposal. Both Easingwold Town Council and North Yorkshire County Council highways department have expressed a wish for the application to be approved.

Councillors will discuss the matter at a meeting of Hambleton's planning committee on Thursday, January 4, at 10.30am, at the Civic Centre, Stone Cross, Northallerton.