A PLANNING application to create a car park and erect a replacement storage building at land south of Wilkinson's Garage, Kettlewell, has been deferred for a site visit.

Yorkshire Dales National Park officers had recommended refusal of the plan submitted by Messrs Wilkinson on the grounds that it would introduce an urban and unsightly intrusion into the "sensitive village periphery location, close to the edge of the conservation area and adjacent to the listed bridge".

The officer's report stated that the site at the south/west side of Kettlewell in a triangular grass field had a history of unauthorised use as a car park.

A similar planning application was refused in July 2002 and a subsequent enforcement notice was served on the owner to cease use of the land as a car park for more than 28 days in any calendar year.

The policies against the application relate in the main to visual amenity and highway safety. Planning officers stated that visibility for drivers emerging from the access was substandard due to the building line of adjoining cottages.

The proposals also conflicted with the national park's Local Plan policies which protect conservation areas.

One policy advises that additional car and coach parks will only be supported where suitable sites exist which are not visually intrusive nor affect any conservation interests.

Kettlewell already has a public car park and it appeared that the application was catering for peak demand, the officer's report stated.

Comments from the park's transport and visitor management officer stated: "There is no evidence that there is a demand for parking outside the peak periods.

"There is no reason for increasing car parking capacity to cater for this and there is no reason for increasing car parking capacity at Kettlewell at other times. To do so would encourage the greater use of private motor vehicles which would detract from achieving the targets in the Local Transport Plan".

In the officer's report, it was stated that although the replacement building was not an unattractive design in its own right, the intended future use was not entirely clear to the authority and further clarification had been sought from the agent.

A public right of way also crosses the site and consultation with the Upper Wharfedale area ranger concluded that the application directly affected it and that it could not be interfered with.

Visually, it was felt the site would be detrimental because although it was set below road level, it was prominent when descending into the village and crossing the bridge.

It was felt that vehicles parked on the land would present an "urban and unsightly intrusion into an attractive riverside location".

Members of the planning committee will meet for a site visit on August 22.

o A barn and coach house at High Ryelands, Arncliffe, has been given the go-ahead to be converted into two dwellings.

Members of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's planning committee this week rubber stamped the application from Mr and Mrs P Walker.

Officers recommended approval of the proposals after amended plans showed many of the originally proposed new windows and door openings had been removed, and the retention of the original window details on the front of the property.

Listed building consent was also given.

Conditions linked to approval include restricting permitted development rights, window materials to be timber sliding sash and painted or stained white; use of natural local stone and slate; dwellings only to be occupied when on-site spaces for car parking have been provided and approval has been given to a foul drainage scheme.