PLANS to build five detached family homes near Glusburn on a site currently the subject of an appeal for a larger development have been narrowly approved.

Objectors to the outline scheme at Ling Haw Hill and Brow Top, Cononley Road, urged Craven District Council's Planning Committee to reject it in the same way it had rejected another scheme for 20 homes just ten months ago.

Glusburn and Cross Hills Parish Council, a spokesman for objectors of nearby homes and ward councillor Philip Barrett all said the homes would be unsustainable, and would be a cramped suburban development in the 'green wedge' between villages.

Alison Rowland, for the parish council, said the reasons for refusing the application stayed the same as for the larger scheme, which is awaiting a decision from the Planning Inspectorate.

And she added there were fears approving the application would mean more development of the site. "While this scheme is is smaller, the clear intention is to get a foot in the door," she said.

Brow Head resident, Judith Spalls, said she could not understand why having rejected a scheme on the same site just ten months ago, another one was being considered.

And she said, while smaller in size, it would still have an impact on roads and services, which would be hit further with other developments - including at Malsis School - in the pipeline.

J.O Steele, for applicants, Mr and Mrs B H Green, said changes had been made to the application following comments, and sought to assure residents that drystone walls would not be removed, only relocated for better access. He pointed out that neither the highways authority or public rights of way officers had raised any concerns, and added that no one had a right to a view.

A move by Cllr Robert Heseltine to refuse the application was lost following a split vote and the reluctance of the committee chairman, Cllr Alan Sutcliffe to use his deciding vote. An alternative to visit the site was not taken up by councillors.

A proposal by Cllr Ian Thompson then to accept officers recommendation to approve the scheme was won by five votes to four, and one abstention.

"I am very pleased that we are not looking at about 20 houses on the brow of this hill. We need houses in our district and we don't want them in isolation," he said.

Councillors were reassured by planning manager, Neville Watson, that approval of the scheme would not influence the government planning inspector in his or her decision on the larger scheme currently at appeal and to be decided by written representations.