OPEN meetings to gauge opinion on Giggleswick School's aspirations for future development in the village were used to formulate the parish council's official response this week.

Councillors reported back on the views expressed at three drop-in meetings where villagers had a chance to look at the school's discussion document.

No planning applications have been submitted and it has been stressed that the paper is merely for discussion.

Giggleswick School has put forward a number of sites where it might propose housing in the future. The two causing the most opposition were named as the Glebe field and adjacent former maintenance yard, and part of Lord's Field between Lord's Fold and Sandholme.

The Glebe caused concern because it would close an open aspect in the village and cause congestion. The proposal for Lords also caused a lot of upset, and councillors recalled Giggleswick School promising not to develop this section of its sports field at the planning stage for the current housing at the site.

"The school's said its intention is to develop the village in sympathetic partnership with the parish. This will be a test to that," said Coun Chris Fryer.

Commenting on the other possible development sites, parish councillors felt Tarn Barn should not be converted because of its poor access and the fact that it would lead to ribbon development along Mill Hill Lane.

They had no objections to the proposal for the maintenance yard off Raines Road which currently houses old Nissen huts. Infill housing near this site was also felt to be acceptable.

Concerns about access were brought up over the site on Lords Fields next to Riversdale estate and a plot on Belle Hill. A plot off Bankwell Road next to Lord's Fold should become a car park rather than be used for housing, it was felt.

The parish council did not object to the school's development plans within its existing curtilage, but was concerned about the proposed new sports hall and in particular the impact of surface water run-off.

In general the council repeated the concerns of residents including the potential risk of flooding from the run-off surface water caused by more housing, strain on local services and an increase in traffic.

There were also doubts about the ability of the current sewerage system to cope with more foul water and concern over the loss of recreational space.

Parishioner Gill O'Donnell asked for consideration to be given to a public meeting and members decided to suggest to Giggleswick School that it might call such a meeting.

The school's aspirations are also to be included on the agenda for Giggleswick's annual parish meeting on April 22.

The deadline for comments on the school's discussion paper is tomorrow (Saturday).