THE unauthorised rebuilding of a former agricultural 'shippon' in Austwick and its conversion to a holiday let has been approved - despite being refused twice before and being subject to a demolition order.

David Shackleton, owner of Willow Tree, told Craven District Council's planning committee it had been his and his wife's dream to raise their family and run a rural business from their home and converted former farm buildings.

And he urged councillors to approve the conversion so his family could create a business and help contribute to the rural economy.

Councillors, who were recommended to refuse the application to convert the partially rebuilt shippon to a three bedroom holiday let, were told with around 80 per cent of the building rebuilt, it represented a new structure in the open countryside and should be refused.

Planning manager, Neville Watson, urged councillors to go along with the recommendation, said there was no policy in place for it to be approved and pointed out it had been refused twice before.

Mr Shackleton told the meeting that the shippon had been used as a garage for 35 years and there had been concerns its state of repair posed a safety risk for their children.

Steps had been taken to make repairs, and he believed interaction between his planning consultant and officers had 'rubbed the planning department up the wrong way', ultimately resulting in them receiving a demolition order.

Mr Shackleton said he wanted to plead for a common sense approach, explaining he had been foolish to rely on the advice of a consultant.

"I am pleading for a common sense approach so my family can live and work, create a local business and attract visitors to the area and contribute to the rural economy," he said.

Mr Shackleton was supported in his application by ward councillor David Ireton who said it was a brownfield site and questioned whether its re-use was harmful, even thought the 'cart had been put before the horse'.

Cllr Carl Lis said although he was totally against unauthorised building, retrospective planning applications should be judged on their own merits.

He did not believe it would impinge on the countryside and thought it was more hidden than other schemes the council had approved.

Cllr Ian Thompson said he also felt the applicant had 'taken the mickey' out of the council, that he wanted to approve the scheme, but was unable to do so.

Cllr Robert Heseltine said it was a traditional building, using local materials which fitted well into the cluster of other buildings.

"The applicant has jumped the gun, but that is not a hanging offence, there is no harm to the environment or to any individual," he said.

Cllr Heseltine said the building should be allowed because it was acceptable in terms of environment and landscape, was not in the open countryside and represented the re-use of a traditional building.