POLICE were called out to a North Yorkshire village after feelings ran high over a controversial new development.

Officers attended the site in Appleton Roebuck to calm tempers during preparatory work on road narrowing as part of a housing scheme.

Protesters are bitterly opposed to the plans to narrow a section of Main Street, Appleton Roebuck, saying it will change the face of the village.

Police were called out amid reports that the road was being obstructed and safety cones were being moved, preventing workmen from preparing the site.

Council officers have visited the site twice in the past week after residents claimed the developer had doubled the length of road which was to be narrowed.

Work was due to start on the road narrowing today.

Selby District councillor Brian Percival, who represents the village, said there was confusion over how much of the road would be affected by the "grossly unpopular intrusion".

The work is required to improve visibility at the junction of a private road leading to two new homes in the village.

Mr Percival said many residents were "shocked and distressed" to discover that almost double the expected 70-metre length would be affected by narrowing.

But Pam Johnson, of North Yorkshire County Council, said the developer was working within the plans approved by the local authority.

She said the work was needed to blend the narrowing with the roadway in a suitable manner.

John Walker, of Wrigley Property Development Ltd, which is building the homes, said almost 140 metres of road adjustment work was necessary to achieve a visibility splay of 70 metres.

He said: "We are just working in accordance with the plans which were agreed in the first place."

Updated: 11:39 Wednesday, October 30, 2002