ONE of Wharfedale's best-known restaurants could be demolished and houses built in its place.

If planning permission is given, Monkman's Bistro with Bedrooms could be razed to the ground.

Bowlength Ltd and Consort Homes have this week put in a planning application for five 5 bedroom and four 4 bedroom detached houses on the site of the restaurant, which used to be known as Pool Court.

The proposed development has raised concerns amongst villagers, who have also seen Consort submit another plan for a five-bedroom dwelling house in the old woodcutter's yard near the village hall this week - the first of eight houses proposed for the site.

Bernard Mitchinson, chairman of the Pool Village Design Statement team, said: "Our initial view is that we are concerned of the possible loss of the Monkman's House which has got historic and architectural value and is a traditional part of the village.

" I think housing would be acceptable subject to appropriate designs, but we believe this and the proposals near the village hall are not appropriate to Pool and do not form the traditional Dales architecture which is more in keeping with the village."

Mr Mitchinson said the building's history dated back to before 1800, when it was a Georgian gentlemen's home.

Pool Parish Council chairman Councillor Chris Leggatt said that following speculation in recent months about the future of Monkman's, the parish council had already requested that the building be protected from development.

He added: "Parish councillor Vivienne Whittle is currently surveying people in that area to find out the strength of local feeling and we'll give our formal response to the application at Monday night's parish council meeting."

Mr Monkman was unavailable for comment this week.