A GOVERNMENT inspector has dismissed an appeal by a Skipton electrical shop to keep its cream coloured security roller shutter blind. Appellant Calvin Casper argued that the roller shutter at Harry Garlick was needed to protect the High Street shop and its high value stock against theft and also pointed to other, similar security blinds in the vicinity. But the planning inspector said when closed, the shutter gave the shop a 'fortress like' appearance which created a sense of hostility on the High Street and also impacted on the nearby statue of Sir Mathew Wilson. The inspector, in upholding Craven District Council's decision made in December to refuse retrospective planning permission, said the blind had a 'substantial, negative impact' on the Victorian statue, a designated heritage asset, and on the immediate area of the High Street. "When the shutter is closed, the largely blank frontage of the commercial unit has a discordant and unduly obtrusive appearance. The closed shutter gives the unit a fortress like appearance, which creates a sense of hostility and is likely to diminish the vibrant character of the High Street," said the inspector. Also dismissed was Harry Garlick's argument that the blind was needed for security, with the inspector saying it could be achieved in a far less obtrusive way.