A REDUCED scheme to build four instead of 20 new homes on a farm site in Carleton has been approved by Craven planners.

Applicant and site owner RN Wooler and Co had bought Carla Beck Farm, Carla Beck Lane, with outline consent for around 20 homes, but planned to build just four large family homes and an office unit, heard Craven District Council's Planning Committee.

The builder considered the reduced number of homes, of four and five bedrooms, better suited to the location and intended to turn the rest of the site over to grassland, councillors heard from an agent for Wooler's.

Approval of the reduced scheme did not however rule out the possible future development of the rest of the site for housing, said the council's planning manager, Neville Watson.

In response to questions from Cllr Robert Heseltine, Mr Watson said although the applicant also owned Grundy Farm, in the village, which is currently under consideration for outline plans for 20 homes, the two applications were not connected in any way.

Cllr Brian Shuttleworth said he thought the pared down scheme for Carla Beck Farm better suited to the area and to the open aspect of Carla Beck Lane.

The former farm site, which has been largely cleared of buildings, is bounded by Carla Beck and a public footpath.

The four new homes will all be detached, and two will have four bedrooms and two will have five. Each will have either a detached or attached garage and private garden.

Carleton Parish Council, while commenting the proposal would enhance the look of the area, felt there was a missed opportunity in not providing smaller homes, of which were needed in the village.