TWO barn conversions within the Craven district were approved by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s planning committee on Tuesday, June 11.

Applicant Michael Stapleton told the committee the barn at Little Newton, near Long Preston, would be rented out as a holiday let for a while, but would like to retire there in a few years.

The planning officer explained that the main problem was the relatively poor condition of the barn including the partial collapse at the first-floor level on the front wall and that part of the barn had once been a farmhouse.

The original plans included taking down and rebuilding the front wall. The planning officer pointed out that this was in conflict with the Authority’s policy that buildings should be capable of conversion with no more than minor structural work.

After an independent assessment it was agreed that the walls could be retained by using special shoring systems.

The committee also approved the application by Andrew Morrell to convert a Grade II listed barn at Cleatop Park, Settle, partly to be used as a holiday let, and partly to create a private garage and artist’s studio.

Mr Morrell had originally wanted to add a glazed artist’s studio but this did not conform with the Authority’s policy which is based upon conserving traditional barns.