PLANS to build an ice cream and snack bar at the Craven Heifer in Skipton have been dismissed on appeal by a Government planning inspector.

The inspector did however disagree with Craven District Council, and gave the go-ahead to plans to create a children’s play area at the pub in Grassington Road.

The council refused the application by the Whitcut Consultancy Group under delegated powers, in October last year, saying that the two proposed timber cabins and playground because of their scale, design, positioning and prominence would ‘unduly detract from the setting of the Craven Heifer Inn and from the character and appearance of the surrounding countryside.’

The Government planning inspector, taking into account the effect of the proposals on the character and appearance of both the inn and the surrounding countryside, agreed that the inn was a prominent, well- established building of traditional proportions and built of stone which made a ‘positive contribution’ to the area.

But while, the ice cream and snack bar with covered seating area on a section of the car park would be clearly visible and prominent, able to be seen for some distance, the play area, to be sited away from the road would be less so and therefore allowed.

The inspector, TJ Burnham, who carried out a site visit at the end of June, said the ice cream and snack bar would be a ‘substantial structure’ with a ‘significant footprint’. “It would be clearly visible from outside of the site, most prominently in views when driving north along Grassington Road. Within these views, the structure would see the introduction of built form into an area with a relatively open character. It would have a modern and somewhat temporary appearance comparative to the Inn and in this context it would detract from and partially limit views towards the Inn. As a result of this, the ice cream and snack bar would detract from the character and appearance of the Craven Heifer Inn and the surrounding countryside.”

Of the play area, the inspector said it would be sited away from prominent views of he inn and of a more appropriate design.

In its application to the council last year, the pub said the development would benefit the rural economy and pointed to the nearby similar Tarn House Holiday Park and Skipton Golf Club.

“The proposals will provide additional employment and will be a further attraction to encourage visitors to the area. They will benefit the existing Inn as well as providing an additional revenue stream for the business.,” said the design and access statement.