AN appeal against the refusal of a residential development on land adjacent to Craven Court, Skipton, has been dismissed by a planning inspector.

The appeal was made by Vale Real Estate following rejection of its plans to build four apartments and a ground floor retail unit on the Otley Street side of the shopping centre.

The application was rejected on November 26, 2018.

Planning inspector Darren Hendley said in his report: “The proposal would not preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the conservation area and it would fail to preserve the setting of a listed building.

“It would also have an unacceptable effect on the living conditions of the occupiers of No 20.

“I have considered all matters that have been raised but the benefits (additional retail space) would not outweigh the harm caused by the proposal. Accordingly, I conclude that the appeal should be dismissed.”