Pip’s Patch

ARC News Service – a report by the monitoring team of the Association of Rural Communities after the October meeting of the YDNPA planning committee.

Enforcement notice for Wood Nook Caravan Site near Threshfield –

The non-compliance with planning conditions imposed in October 1977  was so blatant at Wood Nook Caravan site near Threshfield that, during a site meeting, a member of the committee had seen a plot with the number 40 on it even though permission had been given for only 30 caravans at any one time. This had led to a large volume of traffic along two narrow lanes at Skirethorns. The members agreed that the YDNPA’s solicitor should serve an enforcement notice and if the number of caravans was not reduced to 30 at any one time within the next two months legal action would be taken. The agents for the owners of the site had pointed out that there was evidence dating back to the 1980s that there had been over 30 caravans on the site and they were therefore applying for a certificate of lawfulness.

Thornton Rust Hall, Thornton Rust –

County Coun John Blackie said that the two new dwellings in the Outgang at Thornton Rust as part of the Thornton Rust Hall estate had become a “cause celebre” locally. He thanked Aysgarth and District Parish Council for pursuing the issue. There was a lengthy report from Peter Watson, head of planning, about how the YDNPA’s enforcement team had handled this case. The parish council had complained in July 2007 that the semi-detached houses had not been built in accordance with approved plans – and it was found that this complaint was justified. Mr Watson explained that reduced staff levels from May 2007 to August 2008 had led to a backlog. He added: “While staff turnover is unavoidable, the transition from one case officer to another can be smoother when each officer makes a point of recording clear case notes…. The practice had slipped as a result of workload pressures when the enforcement team was under staff. The re-structuring of the planning department in July 2009 has seen a major improvement in the way we operate.”  For the full report see: http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/oct_thornton_rust_hall.pdf. The YDNPA planning committee agreed earlier this year that the height of the two houses should be reduced. One member commented: “I was for total demolition.” This was because so many conditions had been broken when the houses were built. Now the members wanted to make sure that  by February 2011 the conditions of the retrospective planning permission granted this year were being complied with.

Coleshouse, Askrigg –

The artist, Piers Browne, was one of those who objected to a new dwelling being built in the garden of Coles House in Askrigg, owned until 2006 by the author Marie Hartley. He  with Dr Christine Hallas and the chairman of the local parish council, Allen Kirkbride, said that the conversion of the bovey and especially the construction of an extension would destroy the iconic and quintessential Wensleydale view from Moor Lane. Dr Hallas told the planning committee she accepted that the applicant, Mrs Bernie Kershaw, intended to try and maintain that view but added:  “The problem is – there should be no house on this site”. Mrs Kershaw said she had sought to retain and safeguard the building so that it could be viewed by many in years to come. The proposed dwelling was described as unusual by the planning officer in that there would be a sedum roofed link between the converted bothy and the two-storey bedroom extension. Part of the bedroom extension would be incorporated into the hillside.

Local residents were also concerned about the proposal to remove part of the dry stone wall so as to provide access for two cars. The planning officer had recommended approving Mrs Kershaw’s application but the majority of members voted for refusal. Under the referral back system this application will be discussed again at the November meeting.

Car park for YHA at Hawes –

Some members commented that the planning officer had been put in a very difficult position regarding the application to provide access for the youth hostel at Turfey Hill in Hawes. The majority felt she had little choice but to recommend that planning permission should be granted even though the applicant was not connected with the YHA and the parish council had strongly objected.  The latter told the planning committee: “The Parish Council finds it bizarre and overtly suspicious that the YHA has not applied for the planning approval the application seeks as it appears the use for which the new access will be put is for the sole benefit of its Youth Hostel. Approval for this application will facilitate planning creep towards a housing application on a site already opposed by the Parish Concil and the YDNPA housing working group.” County Coun John Blackie, who is chairman of Hawes and High Abbotside parish council, told the planning committee that he had taken no part in the discussion or decision at the parish council.

At the planning committee he proposed that the planning application should be refused but the majority of members voted against doing that. Instead it was agreed that there should be a Section 106 agreement regarding the new car park so that it could only be used by visitors and tradesmen to the YHA. The applicant, Mr Watson, told the planning committee that this was a collaborative application by him and the YHA to improve the parking for the youth hostel. His land will be used for the new access and part of the new car park.

Hard standing for a car in garden along Little Ings, Gayle –

Christine Cloughton told the planning committee that many residents along Little Ings had created hard standings for their cars in their gardens along with openings onto the highway. If she was able to park her car in her garden buses would be able to stop alongside the kerb and so use the low floor facility for those with pushchairs or using wheelchairs. Currently buses stop in the middle of the road. The planning officer recommended refusal mainly because the county council’s highways department had found there wasn’t sufficient visibility onto the highway. County Coun John Blackie proposed that the committee should approve her application and this was upheld by eight votes to five with one abstention. As this was against the planning officer’s recommendation this will need to be ratified at next month’s meeting. Members did ask for a more detailed examination of the visibility issue.

Low Barn, Low Row, Swaledale –

It was decided to hold a site meeting at Low Barn. The members agreed that this was a complex situation especially as in 1977 full planning permission had been given for the barn to be converted into an open market  four-bedroom house. That permission is still valid as a certificate of lawfulness was granted in 2006. The planning officer said she had worked with the applicant to prepare a more sympathetic and appropriate design for the present application. She told the committee that the owner could always revert to that approved in 1977.

Arncliffe school -

Members were very concerned to hear that Arncliffe CP School might be closed. At present it has only nine students. It was pointed out that the school would fail an Ofsted examination if it could not provide an all-weather outdoor play area. Members therefore agreed with the planning officer that permission should be given for the erection of a wooden canopy covering a play area. This will replace a pergola and fence to the north side of the school.

Gamekeeper’s accommodation, Hawkswick -

The reasons given by the parish meeting for opposing  the conversion of a barn just outside of Hawkswick into accommodation for a gamekeeper included: that the tight curtilage would be difficult to maintain and would be insufficient for the needs of the gamekeeper; and that the lane up to the barn was parish land.

The YDNPA had paid for an independent report by Mouchel. This concluded there was a clearly established need for a full time gamekeeper to be living on the edge of the grouse moor. The agent for the applicant explained that the grouse moor had been neglected for a period of time and the present owner wanted to return it to its  former glory. The majority of members voted to accept the planning officer’s recommendation that planning permission should be granted subject to a Section 106 agreement to tie the barn to the moorland within the applicant’s ownership, control future works and maintenance of the access and secure a tree planting scheme.

Llama farm, Kirkby Malham –
The temporary consent for an extension of two years for agricultural worker to live in a caravan at Tullochvenus Farm was agreed. The owners are trying to develop a business based on the sale of wool from llamas raised there.

Town Head, Austwick –

The committee deferred making a decision about the conversion of a barn outside of the housing development boundary at Austwick as they wanted more information including its proximity to other buildings in the village.  The applicant, Mr Taylor, wishes to restore the barn and to convert the ground floor into accommodation suitable for his wife as she becomes more physically limited due to suffering from Alzheimers disease. The first floor would become a self contained dwelling for his son and grand daughter.