THE pressure group fighting to reinstate the railway line between Skipton and Colne has re-stated calls for the line to be protected against housebuilding.

David Walsh, former chairman of SELRAP - the Skipton East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership - called on Skipton councillors with seats on Craven District Council to oppose planning applications on the line.

He said it was not recreational use of the trackbed, such as the Landrover Experience at Broughton Hall estate which could cause a potential problem, but successful applications for housing.

He also called for pressure to continue on the completion of the Craven Local Plan, referring to its current unfinished state as the greatest threat to Skipton and Craven.

"Until the local plan is in place, Skipton remains vulnerable," he said, adding that he thought there was little desire on the part of the planning authority to protect the line from development.

Mr Walsh told last week's annual town meeting, held at Belle Vue Mills, because of ongoing work at Skipton Town Hall, that the group did not lack support, but what it needed was sponsorship from a county council - either Lancashire County Council or North Yorkshire County Council.

He said the campaign had won the support of businesses including Drax and Skipton Building Society, because of it opening up a route for potential employees.

"There is strong support from David Cutter , of Skipton Building Society, who wants an easy way of recruiting people from Lancashire and is struggling to compete with Leeds," he said.

Cllr John Dawson, who sits on both councils, and the sub-committee responsible for the Craven Local Plan, said all Craven councillors were well aware of the importance of completing the plan - currently expected to be submitted to the secretary of state by the end of the year.

But he added it was vitally important that the plan was right before it left the council, to avoid it being sent back by central government.

"All members of Craven Council recognise the urgency of getting it in place, but it has to be right, other authorities have put in a plan and had it turned down. I think this will be the number one priority of the council this year," he said.

Earlier this month, the transport secretary, Chris Grayling, on a trip to Haworth, said he thought there was a 'very decent chance' of the re-opening of the rail line.

He was responding to a question by Tim Parkinson, chairman of Haworth based Airedale Springs, one of the many businesses keen to see the cross Pennine link reopened.

Mr Grayling urged supporters of the line to get the backing of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).