DEVELOPERS hoping to convert the former Natwest Bank in Settle Market Place have applied for a lawful development certificate for its change of use to a shop or cafe.

In July, 2019, Craven District Council approved listed building consent for ARBA Developments for alterations to be made to the building, but a year later, revised plans for both listed building consent and planning were refused.

Councillors acting against the advice of officers rejected the scheme, which included the creation of four apartments on the upper floors, because of its impact on the listed building, because of overlooking and inadequate parking.

There were strong objections at the time including from Settle Town Council, the North Craven Heritage Trust and from ward councillor David Staveley.

In its submissions to the council’s planning department, agents for ARBA argue the change of use of the building to retail or cafe use does not need planning permission.

In its response to the application, the North Craven Heritage Trust says it has concerns that the application has had little publicity when previous ones were so ‘contentious’.

|It says:”We maintain that the applicants should be appealing the decision made by the planning committee if they are unhappy with that decision. This prominent building’s future use and development must be handled with complete transparency.”