A RETROSPECTIVE planning application for the retention of two houses and associated new entrance and landscape works at Bank View, Doctors Hill, Low Bentham, has been approved.

The application on behalf of K&R Developments was granted at a meeting of Craven District Council's planning committee on Monday, July 30.

The application is on a former playing field located on the eastern side of Bank View.

The application site had extant outline planning permission and a reserved matters approval for two three-bed houses.

Two houses have been built but not fully in accordance with the extant planning permissions and the houses are four metres further north than originally set out.

The developers said it was necessary to reposition the houses during the construction phase in order to avoid conflict with protective fencing around the trees covered by a tree protection order and to take into account easements for the electricity sub station and the water mains to the south of the site.

Councillor Linda Brockbank said she was concerned the new houses would overlook the gardens of the adjacent properties and asked if better screening could be created.

She was told that trees which would have made good screening have been removed by the developers.

Despite the changes, members agreed the repositioning was acceptable and the plans were passed with conditions. These are that prior to the houses being occupied the crossing of the highway verge and/or footway shall be construction to the specifications of the Highway Authority.

Also, any gates or barriers shall be erected a minimum distance of six metres back from the carriageway and details of the provision to prevent discharge of surface water on to the carriageway is to be submitted and approved before being implemented and maintained.