PLANS to make repairs and alterations to one of Wharfedale's most important ancient monuments were thrown out by members of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority this week.

Several applications concerning buildings at Barden Tower were discussed by the authority's planning committee on Tuesday.

The first set of plans was for full planning permission and listed building consent to repair and alter Barden Chapel and Priests House, which are Grade I listed and form part of a scheduled monument.

The Priests House, alongside its residential use, has for many years been used as a tearoom, whilst the chapel has been unused since being de-consecrated in the 1950s. If permission was granted, the applicant hoped to use the buildings for events such as wedding receptions, parties and concerts.

However, officers recommended refusal on two aspects - a proposal to form a new doorway linking the basement of the restaurant to the chapel and plans to refurbish a timber rood screen and relocate it.

Officers were concerned significant masonry could be destroyed in forming the new doorway and the estate had refused to carry out a pre-evaluation of the likely impact.

Building and conservation officer Graham Darlington said: "We are simply not able to form a judgement on the degree of impact that this proposal would cause without further evaluation."

He added he was also concerned that only part of the decorated timber screen was to be restored and placed in a location, which was historically incorrect.

Leslie Gore, estate clerk of works for the Trustees of the Chatsworth Settlement, said the evaluation work would cost a large sum of money and there was no guarantee that the scheme would be approved. He added evaluation work would be carried out if permission was granted.

Alex Bentley said: "As far as I can see the estate has bent over backwards to provide quality information and the work which has already been done has been of good quality. I cannot see why we cannot vote for this."

However, fellow member Jerry Pearlman said: "This is like the jewel in the crown of the national park, in a beautiful setting and of incredible historic interest. So I cannot understand why the estate is saying it is not willing to spend money on a report. It is for them to satisfy us in every respect."

Members refused the application on the grounds that the applicant had failed to provide sufficient information to allow a full assessment of the impact of the proposal.

They also agreed that re-using only part of the timber rood screen, in an historically incorrect location, would also be harmful to the building's special architectural character and historic interest.

Two further applications were submitted - one for full planning permission and one for listed building consent - to convert a storage building into a three-bedroom house for an on-site warden.

Mr Gore said it was important to have someone on site as vandalism had become a problem.

Mr Cumberland said: "I think a presence on that site is essential for the future wellbeing and protection of that site."

However, planning officer Roger Beck said the application was not based on an essential need.

Despite much debate, the application was deferred on a technicality.