A REBUILT, traditional stone barn next to the Pennine Way near Gargrave represented a new building in the 'Jewel in the crown' countryside of Craven, a public hearing was told.

Neville Watson, planning control manager for Craven District Council, told the appeal hearing that New Laithe Barn at Newton Grange Farm, Bank Newton, was effectively a new building in the open countryside and should not be allowed to stay.

But David Manley QC, for appellant, farmer John Howard, argued that it had been built on the site of a pre-existing barn of 'considerable vintage' and was characteristic of barns of the area.

Mr Watson said although the landscape where the barn was situated had no special value, it was very much characteristic of Craven and worthy of protection.

"The countryside is the jewel in the crown of Craven. This is an imposing building that sits in isolation from other buildings. It has a greater visual impact than the council consider appropriate in that location," he said.

Mr Manley responded that isolated barns were actually a characteristic of the area, that it was a well designed barn and that in time, if not already, it would become part of the landscape.

The hearing follows an appeal by Mr Howard against the council's refusal to allow the alteration and retention of the building for agricultural purposes. The application has the support of Broughton Parish Council.

Government planning inspector, John Dowsett, said he would consider the effect of the barn in the surrounding countryside, and whether it was necessary in connection with agricultural use.

Mr Dowsett, at the one day hearing held at the council offices in Belle Vue Square, said he had already visited the area around Newton Grange, and would later be making a closer inspection of the building itself.

He is expected to make his decision in the next few weeks. A dismissal of the appeal is likely to result in the barn having to be demolished.