PLANNERS are being asked to rethink their decision to refuse a housing development at Aireside Mills, Cononley.

Last month, Craven District Council's planning committee rejected an application to build 34 houses on the former Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream site.

A full list of reasons was to be collated and brought back to the next committee meeting, due to take place on Monday.

But, in a report to next week's meeting, Duncan Hartley, head of planning services, says none of the points of refusal are sustainable and the committee should look towards approving the application.

He adds: "The council may be ordered to pay the applicant's costs of an appeal if the proposal is refused for unsustainable reasons.

"The council would also incur the costs of engaging specialist consultants and the costs of external legal representation at a public inquiry.

"Given that both the council's costs and the applicant's costs in preparing for an appeal may be substantial, it may not be possible to accommodate these within the existing budget."

Mr Hartley also warns that in an appeal situation, the council was no longer in control of the final decision.

Currently the applicant has agreed to provide affordable housing (four two-bed units at a 50 per cent discount) and give financial contributions to the school, recreation facilities, traffic calming and the creation of a footpath to the station.

"There is a considerable risk that these may not be realised in the appeal decision, either in the form previously negotiated or indeed realised at all," says Mr Hartley.

Recommending conditional approval, his report concludes: "It is considered that the proposed development would not cause harm to the character and appearance of the area or the amenities of neighbouring residents and would in fact be likely to enhance the character and appearance of the local area."

The reasons put forward for refusal include the inadequacy of the sewers, flood concerns, the plan is premature as the Upper Airedale catchment plan has not yet been published, proposed improvements at Cononley Lane Ends have yet to be implemented and the loss of employment land.

The plan has also attracted numerous objections from local residents. Their concerns include increased flood risks, overloaded sewers, extra traffic and light pollution.

Objector Susan Middleton told the Herald this week that she remained vehemently opposed to the development and if the plan went to appeal she would travel to London to lobby deputy prime minister John Prescott.

"I have got information from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister that states quite clearly that houses should not be built on flood plains and washland," she said.