SKIPTON Auction Mart can continue selling agricultural vehicles for the next three years.

The mart applied to Craven District Council to vary its planning permission, which was granted in 2001 and renewed in 2004.

In a report to Tuesday's planning meeting, planning officer Rod Morris explained: "Following the recent down-turn in agricultural activity and the decline of its traditional business, the auction mart has permanent, covered accommodation, which is now considerably under-utilised.

"To broaden its business the mart has sought some relaxation in the terms of the current planning permission to permit the occasional sales of primarily motor vehicles'.

"These have been held as auctions on an, approximately, monthly basis and generally specialist in their nature so as to be of interest to the farming community.

"As envisaged sales have been generally held on the days when livestock sales were not taking place, usually weekends. Existing buildings, with some minor adaptations, have been utilised and existing access and parking facilities on the site are available to users."

Mr Morris said he recommended the mart be given permission for three more years.

Skipton Town Council did not raise any objections to the plans, subject to them being in line with the original agricultural covenant.

Coun David Crawford said he had also been concerned about whether the mart was still operating within the terms of its covenant.

Councillors suggested that this could be looked at by the relevant council committee.

Coun Paul English said he was fully in support of the auction mart's application.

He said it should not be given "carte blanche" to do whatever it wanted but the business was an integral part of the town.

Members decided to vary the mart's planning permission for the next three years.