Plans to renovate a cottage and turn a workshop into flats in Sutton have been thrown out. Councillors also agreed that the demolition of a lean-to outhouse and formation of garden area at the same site should be refused.

The buildings are on the western side of Sutton High Street and are part of the historic core of the village in the local conservation area. The southern-most building, if planning permission had been granted, would have been converted into one three-bedroomed two-storey building and the existing single-storey building between the main facade and High Street demolished. The land on which it stood would then have been turned into a small garden. The building to the north would have retained its 'warehouse-type' appearance and been converted into four one-bedroomed flats.

Highways officers recommended refusal because of a lack of visibility from the junction of the access road to the site with the main road and insufficient parking spaces for the flats.

At the meeting planning officer Richard Preston read out comments received by a neighbouring resident about the problem of restricted parking spaces at the back of the site and a need for disabled facilities.

Cllr Steve Place said: "It's wonderful to see redundant buildings being turned into housing in an area falling into disrepair. That's lovely. But in this particular case there is insufficient car parking with no spare on-street parking and no public car park within walking distance. I am very sorry about it and hope some more off-street parking can be found so that this application can go through."

Plans to turn four farm buildings into new homes were accepted - with conditions.

The conditions include:

the access road be surfaced

use of natural stone on the development's walls and garages

the retention of the cobbled farmyard

parking spaces to be built before the houses are used.

Members also suggested a 'concealed entrance' sign be put up on the main road.

The farm buildings make up New Hall Farm, midway between Cowling and Glusburn. Access to the farm is via a rough surfaced track which links up with the A6068. The junction of the access road and the A6068 was improved to give better visibility and turning several years ago.

Plans include converting four farm buildings into eight houses, each with a garage. The scheme requires the diversion of a footpath which currently runs through the site.

Highway officers recommended refusal of the application because of additional vehicles having to wait in the road as well as ones leaving and rejoining the flow of traffic. They said the access is on an open road where vehicles travel at high speeds and more vehicles could be dangerous.

But Cllr Place said: "On first sight the highways authority is right because it is a fast road with bends at both ends and I can see their concerns. But I don't think they are justified and maybe at some point in time a sign can be put up.

"It's the safest stretch of road between Colne and Cross Hills and the only place where you can safely overtake. People using it will have modern-day cars with good brakes and acceleration controls. They won't be in hay wagons and tractors."

councillors gave the go-ahead to a house extension at Kildwick Grange.

They agreed an extra family room, bedroom and bathroom should be built onto Hainsworth Cottage. But conditions were imposed, including that samples of stone and roofing materials are presented to the council and that windows installed match existing ones on the property.

The building will be two-storey and is to be situated on the west side of the cottage. It is to be constructed in matching materials and will have a gable feature.

Plans to build a three-storey detached house with basement garage in Cowling were given the go-ahead.

The building is to be situated between two blocks of terraced houses above Winkholme on the north side of the A6068. There are two prefabricated garages on the site at the moment with an access leading directly onto the A6068.

Two parking spaces have been allocated for the users of the two existing garages on the site which are to be demolished.

Members of Cowling parish council strongly recommended a site visit before Monday's meeting because of the impact the building would have on neighbouring properties and parking problems. Two letters of objection were also received stating concerns about cars parking on the main road, a loss of privacy and inappropriate materials and features. A third letter of objection was noted at the meeting about keeping the existing gap between the buildings.

A protected tree is to be felled and another pruned in Farnhill. Members first agreed to retain a Tree Preservation Order, made last month, which protects the two Sycamore trees at Walter's Barn. But they then agreed to modify the order and have one of the trees felled and the other pruned. A condition was also imposed stating that there is to be no poisoning put on the stump of the felled tree so it does not spread to the tree still standing.

An objection to the order was lodged last month from the owner of the trees. he points out that the tree to be felled is only four metres from the house and one metre from the house steps, and that the branches touch the house. He also says the tree grows only four metres apart, 'to the detriment of both'.

Two unsightly metal containers in Sutton are to be removed under a Craven council order. Councillors were told of action currently being taken to secure the removal of the two metal storage containers, situated on land at Holme Lane. The land on which the containers stand lies between the 'Shielings' housing estate and Holme Beck and was protected from development to provide a corridor for the proposed Glusburn bypass. The owner of the containers has been asked to remove them within the next month.

Councillors approved plans for a new detached two-storey house in Sutton. The house is to be situated at the northern end of Hazel Grove and on the eastern side. It is on a site which recently received outline planning consent for development.

Five fruit trees are to be removed from a former Glusburn orchard, on land at Victoria Road. The trees have been inspected by arboricultural consultant Iain Tavendale. In his report, presented at the meeting, he stated that one of the trees was dead and being used as an ornate bird table while the other four had no long-term potential or value.

New Cowling homes, page 17

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