NEW plans to demolish a disused indoor riding school at Bank Newton, near Gargrave, and replace it with holiday homes, have been submitted to Craven District Council.

In a design and access statement submitted to the council, agent David Hill, says the steel-framed building, which is next to Newton Grange holiday complex and next to a bridlepath, would be replaced by two holiday lets, in the form of a farmhouse and a converted barn.

The building has been the subject of previous failed planning applications to both demolish it and replace it with five new homes in 2019, and also to convert the existing building into eight holiday lets, which was refused in August, 2020.

The latest plans, verified this week, state that the 'farmhouse' would include three double bedrooms and a single bedroom with three bathrooms, and the 'converted barn' would have three double bedrooms and a single bedroom with three bathrooms.

There would be pedestrian access through the front garden from the road and a small garden to the rear. Car parking would be 'as far away' from the listed buildings at Newton Farm as possible.

The statement describes the current steel building, which is semi-derelict, as 'large and ugly'. The proposed new holiday lets would take up less space, and result in an improvement in the 'openness of the area' and would form a tourism business.

"Currently, the existing building dominates the area, being of such a huge scale. It is positioned

at the entrance to the Newton Grange holiday complex and certainly detracts from the setting of the existing holiday and residential uses. It is also considered to adversely effect the setting of the listed buildings, especially the closest curtilage listed building, The Hermitage."

It adds: "The scheme will offer a reduction in density and improved layout, which instead of one large industrial building, will be a sporadic scattering of buildings similar to the existing organic spread of buildings in the settlement group.

"It is considered that the proposal provides the opportunity to remove the existing large, bulky and ugly modern building and replace it with two traditionally-built buildings. This will much reduce the volume of building on the site and greatly enhance the setting of the nearby heritage and listed assets."

It is pointed out that the permitted use is for an equestrian building with 25 stables, and that if the livery yard started up again, it could result in a 'huge increase in activity on site as well as 50 two-way daily trips by livery customers'.

The most recent plan to convert the building into holiday lets was refused on four grounds, including it detracting from the surrounding countryside and from the nearby heritage assets.