OPPOSITION to the YHA's plans for a Dartmoor youth hostel is mounting.

More than 50 residents of tiny Bellever and its neighbouring villages turned out last week at Postbridge Village Hall to discuss the association's plans for an extension to the local youth hostel into a nearby barn.

Alex Lambert, a Bellever resident opposed to the scheme, said everyone present was against the plan and an additional 50 people had signed a petition calling for Dartmoor National Park Authority to reject it outright.

'It will destroy what people are coming here to see,' she said.

The residents say the proposed car park would occupy an area that is currently the focal point of the village.

'It will be right in the centre of the village — you will be able to see it from every point in the village — and the noise in the evening: car doors, people out having barbecues and all that, that will be bad for a small community like this,' said Mrs Lambert.

'There are also plans for a coach and minibus park, but it's only a single track road with a very narrow bridge going the other way — hardly suitable for vehicles that size and we don't want the roads widened, they are a part of Dartmoor.'

Mrs Lambert said the 30-odd Bellever villagers were also worried that they would soon be outnumbered by the people at the hostel.

Dartmoor Preservation Association is against the plans, claiming it will turn it into a motel, blighting the historic barn and ruining the peace and quiet of the area.

The Open Spaces Society has also voiced concern among the 12 letters of objection received, which focus on the impact of increased visitor numbers, extra traffic and the effect on the landscape.

Dartmoor Forest Parish Council has objected, saying noise from the facility already disturbed residents, which would be exacerbated.

West Devon Council did not wish to comment on the application.

But the YHA said its plans would return the barns to their former glory, keep the hostel apace of modern times and allow it to open year-round for lovers of the moor.

Roger Gaffney, the YHA's director for the English regions, said the barns had been in use for many years by the Forestry Commission, with one part rented to them and one to a local farmer. He said the barns had already been spoilt, but they planned to reinstate them.

Mr Gaffney said the YHA had to 'live in the real world' and remain relevant. He said visitors did come increasingly by car, but the YHA encouraged them to use public transport and to leave their vehicles behind and take to their feet or bikes.

And he said the scheme would generate more income to help make the place more available to those who wanted to enjoy the moor.

The application will be considered by the DNPA planning committee on August 3. In view of the level of opposition, planning officers have recommended a site meeting prior to any decision being made.