A FIELD on the approach to Skipton can be developed with more than 80 houses after councillors heard the town fell short of its five-year housing supply.

Skipton Town Council and residents overlooking 'Pig Field' – on the corner of Skipton Road and Harrogate Road – objected strongly to the outline proposals on the grounds of over-development, highway safety and loss of an attractive approach to the town.

They also sited a 26-year-old appeal decision, which had rejected earlier attempts to build a smaller number of executive homes on the site.

William Burns, of Overdale Grange, said at Monday's planning committee meeting that he spoke for several residents when he urged Craven District Council against handing over the keys to the town's "rural soul" forever.

Councillors, who were recommended to approve the application, were reminded little weight could be attached to the emerging Craven Local Plan, and it would only become increasingly effective once it was published in its draft form.

They were, however, told the annual housing target – in line with national guidance – was 256 per year for the next five years, and that Craven, taking into account a 25 per cent 'buffer', was currently 165 dwellings short.

Cllr John Dawson (Cons) said as a former resident of Overdale Grange, he could see how the development would impact on them. He said he was disappointed at the lack of comment from the highways authority because he believed the development would impact on road safety.

He added: "The 1990 appeal decision might be out of date, but the facts have not changed – this is still a major entrance into Skipton.

"I agree Skipton and Craven needs more houses, but we are building them all over the place. I believe we have plenty of development to satisfy the housing need."

But Cllr John Kerwin-Davey (Ind), who proposed approval, said although he sympathised with objectors, their reasons for refusal lacked "sufficient gravitas".

He said only one of the required consultees had raised any objection to the development and described the site as "infill", with easy access to the town.

Cllr Alan Sutcliffe (Cons), who seconded the proposal, thought a refusal of the application would lead to an appeal by the developers.

He said: "This site is a treasured piece of land in the minds of some people, but developers say it is infill development. Our hands are tied – we cannot refuse it on reasons that would not stand up at appeal."

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