COUNCIL bosses will consider giving up green field land for development in return for a £6 million bridge over Kildwick crossing.

Craven District Council's chief executive Gill Dixon confirmed the deal being offered by Skipton Properties' owner Brian Verity could become a reality.

He has offered to build the bridge - providing he can develop 30 acres of farmland between the crossing and Eastburn Beck.

The bridge proposal could be a solution to long tailbacks at the crossing which occur on a daily basis in the area as the barriers are down up to 40 minutes every hour.

Mrs Dixon said after meeting with the developer last week: "A very positive meeting took place and we welcomed the piece of work commissioned by Skipton Properties as one possible way forward. This will be considered fully as part of the Local Development Framework (LDF) process."

The LDF will ultimately replace the council's local plan and will set out planning policies for the district in the future.

Speaking this week, Mr Verity said: "I was very pleased that members and officers were able to see the presentation by Mike Osborne from ARUP (design and business consulting firm).

"There has been a very prompt follow up from the council, confirming that the whole scheme will go forward for consideration as part of the LDF process."

The meeting also involved officials and members from North Yorkshire County Council. There were positive comments from local county councillors, Philip Barrett and Mark Wheeler who attended the meeting.

Coun Barrett commented: "I welcome the proposal of private developer funding to provide a bridge from development through the LDF. It is a major step forward in overcoming the level crossing problems.

"However, we must be realistic as it is early days. All the meeting was presented with was an outline proposal including a line on a map showing a proposed bridge which deviated from the existing level crossing road.

"The other option of bridging the railway directly from the trunk road must be thoroughly assessed, including its funding. It is vital this opportunity is maximised to link it to long overdue improvements to South Craven's transport infrastructure including the railway station and, for example, a new access to South Craven school which is a major traffic generator in Cross Hills.

"It must be a partnership approach to achieve all these objectives and this means the county and district councils must work hard to try to obtain regional funding.

"We have only one shot at this - the maximum benefit must be achieved for South Craven."

Coun Wheeler added: "It was a very productive meeting and all parties saw the merits in this plan.

"Although it will not completely solve the traffic issues in Cross Hills, it will go a long way in relieving much of the grid-locked misery around the crossing.

"There are many pieces of the jigsaw that need to fit and it all starts with whether Craven District Council will designate green field land for potential development and whether residents of Cross Hills feel the development is a price they wish to pay for this solution."

But district councillor and chairman of Glusburn Parish Council Roger Nicholson said he could only support the proposed scheme if other bodies came on board to help alleviate the traffic problems of the whole area.

He said: "If Brian Verity or any other land developer in South Craven can pull in and act as a catalyst for statutory bodies then that's the only chance we have to move forward.

"My concern always had been and always will be a bridge over the railway will create more traffic in Cross Hills. We need to have a weight restriction and an improved Colne to Skipton highway."

Fellow South Craven district councillor Ken Hart added: "There were a lot of points that were good about the scheme and points that weren't so good.

"I think the scheme as a whole needs further investigation and we'll have to see what happens. But whatever happens, it is going to be a long, long job."