THE decision on whether to permit a 17,500 square feet retail development at the Yorkshire Dales Falconry Centre in Settle has been taken out of Craven District Council's hands and passed to the Secretary of State for the Environment.

The council's planning committee failed to make a decision within the allotted eight weeks and the applicant appealed to the secretary of state for non-determination.

This week, the committee was asked for its views on the retail outlet by the planning inspectorate. In October, when the application first came before the council, members were mindful to approve it. But on Monday the planning committee agreed it would have refused the scheme.

The plan is to build a hotel, caf, picnic area, residential training centre, shops, bird exhibition facility and car park extension at the centre, just off the A65. The most controversial part of the scheme is the retail element, which prompted objections from traders and residents in North Craven.

Speaking on behalf of the objectors Ken Meredith, of Settle's Car and Kitchen, said the council's local plan stated retailing should be focussed in the village and town centres, not out of town. He added that shopping centres must be located in places easily reached by public transport, and the falconry centre was not.

He added that there was no need for the development, it would spoil the appearance of the Forest of Bowland area of outstanding natural beauty, and would adversely affect the surrounding villages and market towns.

Craven District Council has received 20 letters of objection and a petition with over 400 names objecting to the proposal.

A letter from Alan Suttie, of Cave and Crag, Settle, said: "Whilst I agree that the falconry centre is a much needed tourist attraction in our area, a retail development of the size proposed would, I feel, cause a great deal of harm to the trading infrastructure of towns like Settle, Clapham and Ingleton.

"I cannot imagine how this proposed development could be made to fit in sympathetically with the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. I notice that apart from three members of the planning committee, all live well outside the area concerned, and would not notice on a daily basis this proposed blot on our landscape."

Coun Richard Welch added: "The unfair competition element is very important, especially in view of the number of empty shop units in nearby villages."

And Coun Steve Place said: "It is my understanding that it is the policy of this council to protect the viability of local areas. If this application was approved it would have a negative impact on Settle and the surrounding areas."

Coun Ellen Chapman, representative for Clapham, who supported the original plan in October said: "The falconry centre is a tourist attraction, but I must listen to public opinion and think of the shops and businesses in the area."