A PLANNING application had been lodged with Craven District Council to build three one-bed shared ownership flats and three commercial spaces including a tourist information centre on the site of the toilets in Ashfield Car Park, Settle.

The application by Sten Architecture on behalf of the district council says in its design and access statement, the proposal is to create high quality residences; deliver a tourist information centre for the benefit of existing residents and visitors; deliver small scale commercial units for a range of uses; create a sustainable and high quality living environment; make efficient use of land; and provide well planned dwellings which will meet high architectural standards.

The site is under the ownership of District Craven Council and is located in the Settle Conservation Area. It is bounded by Kirkgate to the North and Ashfield Car Park to the South. The Quaker Meeting House, to the West, is adjacent to the site.

The existing toilet block is a single storey building which a Heritage, Design and Access Statement dated April 2020, indicates does not make a positive contribution to the conservation area. In addition there is a poor quality elm tree in close proximity.