OBJECTORS to plans to build a leisure village at Hellifield Flashes have been dealt a blow after the national park withdrew its objection.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park, which as late as January had been objecting to the 'Kellwell Point' scheme of up to 300 lodges, a leisure centre, swimming pool and hotel accommodation off the A65 has now withdrawn its objection.

The park authority, which has been consulted on the outline application - which was first submitted in 2016 - has told Craven District Council that landscape mitigation amendments to the plan have made it more acceptable.

And in a letter to the planning authority, principal planning officer, Emma Heron, suggests the creation of a similar 'flash' area as an alternative for migrating birds, which are attracted in large numbers to the area.

In a written submission to the planning authority, she acknowledges the importance of the area for wildlife, but adds a replacement site could be created nearby.

"Given the local and potentially regional importance of Hellifield Flash for birds, the development could have a significant impact on the breeding, wintering and migratory species that currently utilise the site. Given the scale and proximity of the development to the flash and associated disturbance, it is not clear how this will be mitigated. In considering how to mitigate the impact, the applicants could consider opportunities for creating a similar or better area of habitat in the immediate area either in or outside of the national park to avoid a significant biodiversity loss."

Craven councillor, Simon Myers, and a resident of Hellifield, called on Craven Council's representatives of the national park at last week's annual meeting of the council to explain the apparent 'u-turn' of the national park authority when the application appeared not to have changed.

It caused him 'great consternation' as a resident, as to many others, he said.

"I would like our representatives on the national park to get some explanation to why there has been this volte face when nothing appears to have changed," he said.

After the meeting, Cllr Myers said: "Its really nothing to do with them, they are not even a statutory consultee, this is not going to go down well locally. We're expecting to take housing it won't take, and this is seen as very destructive to the landscape."

The outline application by Ballan Ltd, originally submitted in October, 2016, also proposes a park and ride facility, pedestrian access to next door Hellifield Railway Station and a bus and coach drop off point.

The scheme sparked fierce opposition from villagers, a petition of more than 1,200 names and a community referendum which came out more than 80 per cent opposed.

The company claims it would create 500 jobs but opponents say it would "destroy the unspoiled peace and rural beauty of North Yorkshire's famed Hellifield Flashes" alongside the A65.

Despite having been lodged with the planning authority for 18 months, the application has yet to go before Craven's planning committee and is unlikely to be included on an forthcoming agenda until at least towards the end of the summer.