Sir - I could not agree more with A Anderson (Letters, February 15).

The site Bentley's now occupy does appear under-utilised. I believe a new building in the current position, but with more floors, would satisfy their needs. However, what concerns me greatly is this: the Gargrave Road approach into the town is one of the better ones.

Starting at the Auction Mart, we have a tree-lined, building-free approach until the grand-looking Victorian properties on the right and the grammar schools on the left.

The theme continues all the way into town with further Victorian terraces and The Raikes. So why would anyone, particularly our council, wish to see offices or industrial buildings on this handsome gateway to our town? The approach into town from Snaygill, in particular, is an embarrassment and proves what a disaster can happen without in-depth, high-quality town planning.

What must visitors think when driving past bland office blocks, fast food restaurants and vehicle showrooms, not to mention poor quality industrial units and an hotel that looks totally out of place?

This is the legacy of previous planning committees. It is up to today's committee members to stop a repeat. Gargrave Road is in danger of becoming another Snaygill. I urge readers to contact their councillor and object to the proposed commercial projects off this road.

If one planning application is successful, planners will then be in the difficult situation of not being able to say no to future applicants. Government planning legislation states "committees have to be seen to be consistent in their decisions".

There is land available in the more commercial areas of Skipton. Certainly we should not feel blackmailed by these companies suggesting they will pull out of town.

Andrew D Procter, Mickle Hill Mews, Gargrave

Education first

Sir - Recently, whilst walking up Salisbury Street, I noted that the site for the new classrooms at Skipton Girls' High School was, in fact, the school tennis courts.

At a time when we have an obesity epidemic and are trying to encourage young people to take more exercise, surely this is a backward step?

I gather that the High School has no other land available and that these were not, in fact, very good tennis courts.

Even so, is it not a shame that, just up the road from the High School, Craven District Council intends to sell land to HML for commercial use in an area that has, for a long time, been residential and educational?

Did they not think of the Girls' High School? Is the desire of HML for a prestige site to take precedence over the education and health of future generations of girls? Skipton and Craven District Council should be proud of a school recognised as one of the best both in Yorkshire and nationally.

It would be interesting to know the thoughts on the subject of John Goodfellow, chief executive and director of Skipton Group (Skipton Building Society and HML) and chairman of governors of the Girls' High School.

Tom Gibson, High Barn, Stirton

Stop the windfarm ...

Sir - Regarding the proposed wind turbines, Craven District Council has designated the Brightenber Hill area as a special landscape area.

These extracts from Craven District Council's official landscape appraisal explain why: "There are two parks and gardens of special historic interest within the study area, which are both located within the rolling drumlin field pasture landscape character type near Gargrave."

"Small to medium-scale irregular fields are contained by a mix of dry-stone wall and hedgerows... Hilltop copses on the skyline enhance the rolling drumlin landform... The intricate sequence of pasture, hedgerow, and small copses and woods...makes this landscape particularly distinctive. The rolling drumlin field pasture is...comfortable and hospitable.'' This is where they plan to build six wind turbines, each the size of a 35-storey building - 126 metres. They will be the biggest turbines ever built in the UK. Within a six-mile radius of this site are pretty villages such as Malham, Winterburn, Thorlby, Gargrave, Long Preston, Barnoldswick and Bolton By Bowland.

Within two miles are Broughton Hall and Gledstone Hall (designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and with gardens designed by Gertrude Jekyll), the Martons, Bank Newton, Coniston Cold, Nappa, The Pennine Way and The Leeds Liverpool Canal.

These plans must be stopped now before this beautiful landscape is lost to us all.

Stephanie Emmett, Bank Newton, Gargrave

... it's beyond belief

Sir - I read in the Craven Herald of a presentation by Energie Kontor to Craven councillors regarding a proposal for a wind farm at Brightenber Hill near West Marton and Bank Newton.

I find it beyond belief that a company has been given private access to councillors regarding a commercial development to put their views well before any planning application has been submitted. What is going on and what about the views of local people? Surely they also should have an equal voice and be afforded the same courtesy and access to their elected representatives.

Do we really want our beautiful landscape here in Craven and the surrounding areas to be blighted by a number of huge, overpowering and ugly wind turbines? This landscape has been unchanged for centuries and, quite rightly, over the years the planners have designated this area as worthy of protection because of its natural beauty and wildlife.

We need to think very carefully before we inflict these turbines on Craven as they will be seen for many miles - from The Yorkshire Dales National Park, The Trough of Bowland and Malham Cove to name but a few, all areas of outstanding natural beauty.

I believe the landowner who is prepared to allow this development should think again and be more sensitive to local opinion and to what could be inflicted on our beautiful landscape forever.

Jennifer B Bryan, West Marton, Skipton

Safety fencing

Sir - Anyone who commutes "over t'moss" from Cowling to Laneshawbridge on the A6068 must be acutely aware of the regular sight of a huge section of wall having been demolished on both sides of the road at the double bend at Park.

This depressing sight is normally accompanied by the sure knowledge some poor soul will at best probably be in Airedale Hospital, but on the bright side you have to smile that there is still a lot of money to be made from the repair contract awarded to the dry stone waller!

The cost of this piece of road to the tax payer, the insurance companies and the unfortunate victims must be enormous - and not only in financial terms. I think that the answer to this carnage is simple.

Why don't the powers that be (is it the Highways Agency or the local council?) fit Armco round both sides of the road on these dangerous bends?

This indestructible fencing is built to absorb and dissipate the energy of any vehicle coming into contact with it and is a proven life-saver.

If mounted across the grass and against the walls it would not be too unsightly and the grassy area would also slow vehicles slightly - or do we need gravel traps as a "belt and braces" solution?

Nigel Stephenson, Ghyll Close, Steeton

Moving the floods

Sir - It is predicted by the insurance industry that approximately one in three new houses being built may be impossible to insure, because they are in flood plains.

Local examples show this graphically. Between Cononley and the A629 a new development has arisen literally on the edge of the Aire. The new houses stand on top of a high bank, supported by huge boulders and - probably - by concrete behind.

The site used to be an ice-cream factory, which the company left because of repeated floods. The surrounding fields are undoubtedly flood plain and the January rains covered them this year.

The rains did not damage or destroy the new houses. The waters which would have covered the site were diverted downstream: brilliant. So I believe houses in Leeds (which escaped very narrowly this time, unlike 2007) will be repeatedly endangered because of developments upstream. The question is: "Has the insurance industry come to realise the simple logic?" If a company insures this site, the insurance risks to other properties will rise. Not good business. How will a building society react to a loan request if insurance may be refused?

Business and ecological concern for our river banks and wildlife reach the same conclusion in times of global warming: keep away from the waterways. Will the developer who gained planning permission at the aptly named Burnside, Skipton, now hesitate?

Bob Holland, CPRE South Craven, Skipton Road, Cononley

Precept scandal

Sir - Coun John Manley (Letters, February 15) only reinforced my opinion of politicians. Perhaps it would be opportune to remind council tax payers that the Skipton Town Council precept rose by 4.5 per cent last year, 26.8 per cent in 2006 and 9.1 per cent in 2005. Compounded, that is 44.6 per cent over three years or, to put it into the national perspective, almost 24 times the rate of inflation as measured by HMG's preferred index, CPIX. Skipton Town Council has absolutely nothing to crow about by announcing a standstill budget for 2008; those previous increases are nothing short of scandalous.

JE Green, Park Wood Close, Skipton

Poor rice harvest

Sir - I was a little surprised a couple of years ago when the local authority decided to turn the former pitch-and-putt area at Victory Park, Barnoldswick, into paddy fields but, hey, let us not stifle initiatives, I thought. Admittedly the facility was under-used and the council had to be applauded for using the land in a more sustainable way. It is a shame the public footpath from Gisburn Road to the park has became a casualty and unpassable even in the driest weather.

However I'm afraid my stance has changed. Unless I am mistaken, there has not been a single rice crop harvested and there is no evidence to suggest this year will be any different. The scheme is in danger of becoming a laughing matter, not withstanding that the authority will no doubt place any blame squarely at a contractor's door. In retrospect the council should have considered other uses, say rugby pitches or something similar.

Graham Whipp, Gisburn Road, Barnoldswick

Dalesrail woes

Sir - Re the letter from FR Laver concerning the concessional Dalesrail card (Letters, February 15).

I had the same difficulty getting a seat from Skipton on the 09.26 Carlisle train during December-January, but your reader was incorrectly informed or misunderstood the train guard; all the people travelling from West Yorkshire are "Metrocard" holders who take advantage of the current "Metrocard" offer of £7 return to Carlisle/Morecambe.

This is an annual offer and makes a mockery of the Dalesrail card for Craven residents. The answer would be to add extra coaches at Leeds "locked" until Skipton or make Skipton an "interchange" so everybody had to change trains and give Craven residents a fair chance of a seat.

A further anomaly of the Dalesrail card is that holders who join at Skipton cannot use it for a journey south to Leeds or Bradford, but if you join at any station to the north the card can be used for journeys north or south. See http://www.settle-carlisle.co.uk/railcard_info.cfm I have tried to get an explanation from the The Settle-Carlisle Railway Development Company, the previous rail operators Northern Spirit, Arriva, and current operator Northern Rail, but received just "chapter and verse" and management-speak.

This situation will not be alleviated when Skipton is included in the new Zone 6 of the Metro area. Any information confirming this transition is about as rare as rocking horse droppings. Will we in Craven be able to travel anywhere on the "Metroland Rail Map" for 35p?

I doubt it very much.

D Sykes, Rombalds Drive, Skipton

Hellifield concerns

Sir - Regarding the proposed housing development on Station Road, Hellifield, the comments below represent the full list of concerns expressed to the planning committee based on the 2007 Hellifield Village Plan:

1: The Village Plan shows a need for a mix of rented and affordable housing to buy.

2: The village requested a period of stability in view of the recent rapid growth and that only small amounts of building should be undertaken in the near future.

3: That any affordable building should be focused on the needs of the Hellifield community, particularly to encourage and support younger people rather than an influx of new residents.

4: The money from the auction mart development be used to provide some low cost to buy properties for Hellifield people.

Specific concerns: 1: The application indicated all village amenities are within walking distance. True, but there is no pedestrian route directly from Station Road to the village centre. People have to cross the A65 at a point without a pedestrian crossing then walk into the centre.

2: The provision of 29 parking spaces acknowledges the additional vehicle usage, but no mention is made of improvements to the junction the A65 or to traffic calming on the A65 to make the junction safer.

3: The poor quality of street lighting on Station Road and on the A65.

4: Parking on Station Road and on the approach to the station.

5: The surface drainage impact of any new development following the problems on the Auction Mart site.

6: Reliability of electricity supplies to Hellifield; we experience frequent power cuts.

7: The development does not include any bungalows, which are wanted in Hellifield.

8: The Village Plan indicates priorities for the further enhancement of the quality of life here, particularly more for the youth and additional sport and recreational facilities. Hellifield is already engaged in raising resources, but would want to seek what benefits the whole community could gain from the developers of this proposal. Enhancement of facilities must be part of this proposal.

Craven District Council encourages villages to produce a village plan. I hope the Hellifield Village Plan will be taken into account in consideration of this planning proposal.

Bob Moore, Chairman, Hellifield Village Plan Group, Newton Way, Hellifield

Coping with pressure

Sir - I spent last week in Airedale Hospital's Ward Nine and would like to thank and congratulate the staff working there.

My stay coincided with the deep cleaning, prescribed by the Government, to make everything safe after an infection in January which had caused postponed orthopaedic operations, a longer waiting list and a threat of fines on the Trust.

The performance of the regular staff during a week of particular pressure was truly impressive.

They carried on with normal treatment while a specialist team stripped, scrubbed, sponged and re-assembled each section in turn. Patients and equipment were sometimes moved three times in one day and needed hunting for by successive shifts.

The teamwork between individuals with different levels of experience, expertise and qualification and the skill and good humour and courtesy with which they nursed sometimes anxious and impatient patients, while under the stress of not always being able to provide the level of care they aspire to, certainly deserves congratulations.

Thank you to all of you for continuing to work with the challenging vision of the National Health Service, which is still a beacon in an often grubby world. We are proud of you.

Anne Marsden, Hardy Meadows, Grassington

Support the pool

Sir - Many homes in certain Settle areas have recently received an additional blue recycling bin.

I understand that, in future, it will be used for cans and bottles as well, but can only be used at the moment for waste paper. So some might say that the issue of these bins is somewhat premature.

I also understand that these bins must be kept unless the property cannot conveniently house them, in which case this will be verified by a council official and the bin removed.

Other areas of Settle and Giggleswick have had multiple use (triple container) bins for some time; at the time they were issued a clear message was given by Craven District Council that those who recycled paper through charity groups should continue to do so.

It was stated that, for example, the previous blue bag system should be ignored by those contributing to the Swimming Pool collections.

I am, therefore, earnestly asking citizens of Settle, Giggleswick and any other areas to continue to support the waste paper and card collection at the Swimming Pool, thereby benefiting a local amenity more directly whilst still meeting recycling objectives.

TH Foxcroft Chairman, Friends of the Settle Pool, Kendal Road, Giggleswick

Ban the racers

Sir - So the council are planning to ban lorries from the Skipton Town Hall car park and one of the reasons given is that starting up the lorries causes a disturbance to local residents.

Are they now going to ban the boy (and girl) racers from the same car park? They cause far more disturbance than the lorries do.

We have for some years now been in touch with police and various councillors to try to solve this ongoing problem. As yet they have all failed to prevent the noise and danger they create.

One of the reasons they gave for not being able to close the car park at night to keep them out was because it was needed for the lorry drivers.

If they do remove the lorries that excuse disappears so they can then remove boy racers. Or is that too simple?

Maureen Wharton, Rectory Lane, Skipton

Road's too narrow

Sir - Is it possible anyone in their right minds would allow a narrow road to be used as access for a supermarket? Butts is an historic part of Barnoldswick with old cottages and not even wide enough in parts for a footpath.

Add to this the poor visibility onto Church Street and I find the suggestion appalling. At what cost do we need this detrimental retail addition?

Many years ago Colne Road was widened and, with it, a large part of Barnoldswick's heritage was lost. I hope with hindsight this will not be allowed to occur again.

Pat Butler, Carr House Farm, Barnoldswick

Name mystery

Sir - I was interested to see the artist's impression of the Belle Vue Mills development which was published in the Craven Herald (February 1), showing the proposed names for the individual buildings. As an employee at Belle Vue Mills for 40 years until its closure in 1985 (I was the last man out and locked the doors after the building was sold) and as the mills engineer for the last 21 years of its working life, I had never heard Glista mentioned and would be pleased to learn more about this - as perhaps would other ex-employees from Dewhurst Mill.

Peter Horner, Beacon View, Embsay

10:19am Friday 22nd February 2008

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