PLANS to build homes just outside Cononley have been rejected by a government planning inspector because of their impact on heritage assets.

The application for six homes and a new public footpath in land classed as open countryside and inside the Cononley Conservation Area, off Crosshills Road, has already been refused permission by Craven District Council, in April last year.

Now, an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate by James Wade Homes, has been dismissed, and the council's decision upheld.

An earlier application for 13 homes on the same field site in 2016 was rejected by the council, and also upheld on appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

In her decision notice for the new, pared down scheme, inspector Helen Cassini, said the main issue was whether it preserved or enhanced the character and appearance of the conservation area.

She said the site was characterised by its open country setting and vernacular stone architecture, including buildings dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries.

Ms Cassini noted that the company had argued that Craven Council did not have a five year supply of land for housing - which it disputed.

"As no further evidence relating to the issue of housing land supply has been provided, a precautionary approach has been adopted. The appeal has therefore been assessed on the basis that a five year supply of housing has not been clearly demonstrated," she concluded.

She did however find that although the proposal would lead to 'less than substantial harm' to the conservation area, it was not outweighed by the 'limited public benefit' of the new homes.

"Given the importance of the heritage asset, the scheme would be contrary to one of the core principles of the (National Planning Policy Framework) that requires the conservation of heritage assets," she said.