A SETTLE councillor says he is ‘hugely disappointed’ after developers were given the go-ahead to turn the former Natwest Bank in the town’s Market Place into a cafe and flats.

Earlier this year, plans to convert the bank and build an extension at the back, were refused permission by Craven District Council.

Councillors refused the scheme despite listed building consent being given for an almost identical scheme a year earlier, but without the rear extension. The decision was made by officers after the application failed to be ‘called in’ by the ward councillors.

But now, commercial property developers, the ARBA Group, which owns the building, can go ahead after gaining ‘permitted development rights’ - which does not require consultation with the public, unlike planning applications.

It means the company, which has the Costa Coffee shop in Ripley as one of its developments, can convert the former bank itself, but will need permission to add any extensions.

The grade two listed building was originally built as a house. It was once the home of Dr Charles Buck, whose friend, the composer, Sir Edward Elgar was a regular visitor - as described in a blue plaque on the building’s facade.

Settle ward councillor, David Staveley, who earlier this year spoke strongly against redevelopment plans at the council’s planning committee, said he was disappointed that the ARBA Group had not engaged with the community and come up with a more acceptable scheme.

He was also hopeful that the developers would find cafe use unprofitable, reconsider and return the property into a single house, which he believed at current house prices could be more successful financially.

He said: “I am disappointed that the developers could not find a a way of trying to engage with the community and come up with something that was more acceptable to everyone.”

A spokesperson for Craven District Council said: “The application to convert the former Natwest Bank at Settle into a café and flats was refused by the council’s planning committee last March.

“The applicant has since applied to complete the scheme under Permitted Development regulations.

“The application for a Certificate of Lawful Proposed Use was made under Section 192 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, which does not require the council’s planning officers to make any subjective judgment on the scheme.

“The certificate was issued on October 5. Providing the development is carried in accordance with the permitted development regulations and the approved listed building application conditions, the former bank can be converted to a café and flats.”

The Craven Herald did try to contact the ARBA Group for a comment.