LET'S not beat about the bush here.

Craven District Council planning committee have 'rubber stamped' an approval to develop land at Settle (Green light given for Settle development, Craven Herald, July 8). How myopic.

So here we go again with the bespoiling of the gateway to another of our beautiful Dales towns.

In the 1970s, town planners managed to totally disfigure the southern entry to Skipton with Snaygill industrial estate and boy has that weathered in nicely- not.

Now they are going to deface the southern entry to Settle.

There's going to be landscaping and the development is going to be lower than the roadway to 'retain views through the site' what a load of twaddle.

It will be, for years to come, visual pollution that in my opinion, will put off casual visitors to a beautiful small town.

Chris Airey.

Long Preston.

Note: Developers Candelisa say phase of its 150,000 sq ft development Anley Crag business park will bring a 'full range of work environments in a sustainable business community in a beautiful setting'. It will include about 35 office and commercial units of a variety of sizes to rent or to buy, and will include around 220 parking spaces.

Guy Taylor, managing director, said: “This is a real boost for the area and the local economy. The employment opportunities the scheme will bring should encourage businesses to remain in the community and talented professionals to set up business in this amazing location and help retain the vibrancy of the area and Yorkshire Dales National Park.

“We very much look forward to starting the scheme in the near future and working with local businesses to help bring our exciting vision to fruition.”

A second phase will include 41 two and three bedroom homes.