Pip’s Patch

Carlton in Coverdale – The YDNPA planning committee made a 180 degree turn to completely change a decision it made in January regarding the Foresters Arms in Carlton in Coverdale. At the meeting on January 11 the planning officer had recommended that the application to convert part of the building into two cottages leaving the pub with a small flat should be approved as long as all were for local occupancy.  The head of planning, Peter Watson, has pointed out that this was in accordance with the Local Plan. In January, however, the members sort to allay the fears of the local community about the possible loss of the only pub in the village by agreeing that one of the cottages should be tied to the Foresters Arms so that it always had sufficient accommodation for those running it. At the February meeting, when this needed to be ratified, members were told that the pub had been closed on January 12. Any decision was therefore deferred while the planning officer checked on the situation at the pub. This included what was happening to the fixtures and fittings, if any items had been removed or sold, and the availability of the land for the proposed new toilets. In his response Andy Pritchard stated that he and his wife had only cleared their personal possessions and his building materials from the pub. He added that the YDNPA’s own independent viability study had stated that the alterations were a sensible solution to improve the viability of the pub. At the meeting on March 8 Carlton Town Parish Coun Ray Brown reported that some pub furniture and some other items  had been removed or sold in what he described as asset stripping. He asked the committee not to approve the application. County Couns Roger Harrison Topham and John Blackie and other members were also concerned about asset stripping. It was felt that there was more chance of the pub becoming a viable business again if it had letting rooms and could provide food. It was reported that the land required for a new toilet block (which was an integral part of the application) was not for sale at this time. There were a majority of members in favour of refusing the application but this will have to be ratified at the April meeting.

Aysgarth - Dr Derek Hoyle explained that this planning application would revert the  Doctors’ House site back to being two plots as it had been before the main house was built in 1890. In the mid 1980s the stable loft was converted into a flat. The latest application is to extend the stable loft to provide additional living accommodation, and to erect a double garage on the east side of the main house with its own access to the cul de sac below the Methodist chapel. The Highways Authority had, however, stated that this access would be severely substandard and would offer no visibility on the east side. The planning officer had, therefore, recommended that the application should be refused. Aysgarth and District Parish Coun Peter Windle, Dr Hoyle and Dt Coun Yvonne Peacock argued that this was a quiet cul de sac and so the new access would not be a safety risk. Their arguments were accepted by the members who voted unanimously for the application to be approved. The head of planning, Peter Watson, said that in view of such a vote this decision would not be referred back to the April meeting even though it was against officer recommendation.

Gayle – The Highways Authority was also concerned about the below standard visibility of the access from the agricultural buildings on Harker Hill if they were converted into two houses. The planning officer, however, told the committee that any alterations to the plans to provide safer access would adversely affect the visual character and quality of the area. He added: “It is considered that the desirability of retaining the existing traditional stone buildings and their contribution to the character of the area would outweigh the objections of the Highway Authority…” The committee members agreed with him and approved the application. These will be open market houses as the buildings are within the development boundary of Gayle.

Muker – Members agreed with the planning officer that the agricultural occupancy condition could be removed from Ravensghyll, as long as it then became accommodation that would be used by persons meeting the local needs criteria, and that within six months the owners stopped using it as a holiday cottage.

Sedbergh – Planning permission was granted for the erection of two three-bedroom houses on land associated with 1 Settlebeck Cottages. One of these would be an affordable house for local people  and the parish council was concerned that secure arrangements would be put in place to ensure that it would remain as such. As it comes under South Lakeland District Council the applicant has agreed that this will be done through that council’s discounted scheme. County Coun John Blackie expressed interest in this scheme as it made it possible to build just one or two affordable houses in a village. This was often difficult when a registered social landlord was involved due to economies of scale.

Sedbergh – Sedbergh parish council had requested that if planning permission was granted for barns at Scrogg House Farm to be used for stabling and a field for horse exercise that there should be a robust stock proof fence to protect the public footpath. Committee member,  South Lakes Dt Coun Kevin Lancaster, however, asked that the stock proof fence should be as minimal as possible so that it would not heavily intrude upon the open views. The application was approved subject to a Section 106 agreement to tie Scrogg House to the ownership of the stables and the adjoining land. The conditions include no jumps, fences or other horse related items to be placed in the field.