A REMOTE house which burned down in 1996 claiming the life of one of its occupants could soon be restored.

At the time of the tragedy, Bookilber Laithe Barn, off Langber Lane, two miles north of Long Preston, was owned by the Bradford Gurdjieff Society, a philosophical group.

Its use was classed as a retreat/outdoor pursuits centre.

A planning application to repair the building was presented to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority in 1997 and refused.

Robert Rymer, of Robin Hood's Bay, bought the property three years ago and submitted a planning application to turn it into a dwelling, which was discussed at the Authority's planning meeting in Hawes this week.

Planning officers for the national park authority recommended refusal of the application. They felt the late 18th century building was not originally built as a dwelling and the development of the site could be classed as residential development in open countryside. Officers also claimed it was not considered to be of historical interest or to have exceptional architectural merit.

But Mr Rymer told the Herald he had documentation dating back to 1815 stating that the laithe barn (a barn-type building with an attached house) was owned by Robert and William Birtwhistle and occupied by tenant farmer John Armistead. He also has documents stating that in 1815 it was known as Langber House.

Mr Rymer added that Phil Hudson, a Settle historian, classed the building as having "great historical importance."

Long Preston Parish Council supported the application to form a house and the fire and rescue service said it felt access to the site and water supplies for fire fighting were adequate.

The application also had the support of several national park members.

John Blackie said he did not see how officers could class the proposed development as a new dwelling in open countryside.

"It was a residential house used for residential purposes and rated as such by Craven District Council. It is of huge local interest as you can see from the support of the parish council and other people in the locality. Looking at photographs taken before the fire it certainly looks like a house to me," he said.

"It seems to me that the main concern is that were we to approve it being reconstructed to get it back to the shape it was before the fire, it must be subject to a method statement to ensure this."

Jerry Pearlman added: "It should not be allowed to deteriorate if we can restore it. It would be a tragedy to lose a building like this and lose it we would."

But Wilf Fenton was opposed to the application.

"I say 'lose it we have.' If there had not been a fire it would have been a different case. But there has been a fire and everything that was special with this building has been lost.

"If it was to be restored it would not be an outdoor centre, but a dwelling and a greater blot on the landscape than it is now."

Roger Harrison-Topham said if planning permission was given, he would like to see the surrounding area kept as "uncluttered" as possible and suggested cars be kept hidden from sight. He said any resident should look towards the use of mobile phones and a generator so there would be no visible wires to the house.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Rymer said: "I was pleased to see that the committee had taken a genuine interest in my application and confirm, should approval be given at the next meeting, that all members' conditions will be met."

Members voted to approve the plans claiming the proposals were in accordance with policy and that there was both local and historic interest.

However, the matter will be discussed again at the next meeting of the planning committee in accordance with national park policy.