STARTER homes are to be built in Glusburn and Sutton on land owned by Craven Council where on one plot councillors had previous given the thumbs down.

Craven planning committee agreed that a terrace of three, two bedroom houses could go ahead on a triangle of sloping land near to Harper Grove in Sutton.

A similar application - for two bedroomed semi-detached homes - was thrown out three years ago on the grounds that it needed to be protected as an open space for informal recreation.

But councillors on Monday agreed that the authority needed to boost its five year supply of housing sites and the Harper Grove location was a small scale development on an infill site.

Skipton Cllr John Dawson (Cons) said: "I think the development of this small piece of land is preferential to building on large open green fields. It should go ahead."

"I don't believe we have grounds to refuse this application today. There will be no loss of view, it's not a particularly attractive area and it's under-used," said Cllr Stephen Place (Ind).

The committee narrowly agreed to give the go ahead to a terrace of four, two bedroom starters in Colne Road, Glusburn, which will mean the demolition and removal of 12 garages on the site.

Phil Baker of Glusburn parish council told the meeting the development was out of keeping with the other homes in the area.

"Are people aware that the sewer in that area is at its maximum capacity - it blocks and fouls up. It is not an appropriate area to build on," he said.

A spokesman for nearby allotment holders said the development would reduce parking space for them and it would create a greater number of cars turning out of the site onto the main road.

Cllr Chris Rose (Lab) said she had conflicted views about the application given it's impact on the allotment holders. "But housing is essential, especially homes for young families and first time buyers. I believe this development is acceptable if we are going to increase the stock of homes like this in Craven."

And chairman Cllr Alan Sutcliffe (Cons) said: "This is a vast improvement on the site as it is now and it will provide much needed homes."