PLANS for a five-star hotel Ryedale village have moved closer to fruition after councillors approved changes to the luxury development.

Ryedale District Council’s planning committee has approved the scheme at East Knapton, near Malton, to have 20 bedrooms instead of the 12 which were originally included in the design.

The Rillington House and Spa would be the first five-star hotel in Ryedale and would be built at Mill House Farm on Scarborough Road, a former bed-and-breakfast business.

The farmhouse which currently stands at the site would be demolished and the complex would include a swimming pool, gym, steam room, a 40-seat restaurant and “individually-designed bedrooms”.

The scheme is expected to create at least 12 new jobs and has been backed by tourism body Welcome To Yorkshire.