YDNPA – planning inconsistencies?
The different ways that two planning applications for farmhouses in Bishopdale have been dealt with by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority have been brought to the attention of the Association of Rural Communities (ARC). Both date from the 17th century and overlook the B6160: Forelands from the south side and Cote Bottom from the north.
Forelands: Permission was granted by a planning officer under delegated powers for a new building on the north side of the farmhouse with four windows on the first floor and larger ones below them overlooking several footpaths and the road in Bishopdale. This means that the new build will dominate the traditional farmhouse when viewed from Bishopdale. There will be a glazed link between the two buildings which surely will be visible at close range from a footpath to the south west.
Cote Bottom: The planning officer recommended refusal of the planning application for a rebuilt cowhouse and a rear extension on the basis that it would have a harmful effect on the appearance of a venerable building. He would have preferred that the extension looked more like a barn (site meeting, January 22, 2010). He also stated that the house occupied a prominent position and the extension could be viewed at close range from a footpath. The extensions would be on the north side and would not affect the view of the farmhouse from the B6160 and footpaths to the south in Bishopdale.
The parish councillors for Thoralby supported the application as they considered the rebuilding of the barn and the addition of a two storey extension to be appropriate in scale to the site and the existing house. The recommendation of the officer was, however, accepted by just one vote at the March 2010 planning committee meeting.
One local resident asked how the same planning officer could make such widely different decisions regarding these two farmhouses. Both of the photographs were taken from the B6160. Once the new build at Forelands is complete the view above of that 17th farmhouse will not be visible. This view of Cote Bottom (below) would not be affected by the proposed extension: