Proposed extensions to Marton House, Clapham, would improve the 1960s building, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority was told.

Planning members had visited the site at Riverside and had seen the present house with its rendered blockwork and artificial reconstituted limestone walls. The owner wants to change the external appearance so that it blends in better within the Clapham village conservation area.

Member Ann Brooks said: “I feel it can be improved.”

The planning officer had recommended refusal because he believed that the proposed extensions would significantly and excessively increase the mass of the building to the detriment of the conservation area.

But Clapham-cum-Newby Parish Council supported the application because the proposed extensions would not overlook neighbouring properties and did not extend beyond the footprint of the existing building.

When the majority of members agreed, the head of development management, Richard Graham, said that the approval of the application would not need to be confirmed at the February meeting even though it was against officer recommendation.

* Report by ARC News Service