CONTROVERSIAL planning applications involving the conversion of buildings in Settle and Carleton which were deferred by Craven planners last month are once again being recommended for approval.

At its February meeting, Craven District Council’s planning committee deferred making a decision on the planned residential and cafe/restaurant conversion of the former NatWest Bank in Market Place, Settle, a grade two listed building.

Acting against officer recommendation to approve the application and listed building consent, members had been minded to refuse the scheme by the ARBA Group after hearing objections from the town council, from the North Craven Building Preservation Trust, and from ward councillor David Staveley.

Members were advised to defer decisions for a month for the planning manager to consider what it would mean if they pressed ahead and turned the scheme down. He had already made it clear refusal would be difficult seeing as listed building consent had already been given by officers after it had not been ‘called in’ by ward members for councillors to decide.

Also back to the planning committee meeting on Monday, March 15, after being deferred from last month, is the planned residential conversion of a former workshop in Park Lane, Carleton, to two homes, with detached garages and off-street parking.

Councillors had serious concerns about access arrangements to the site and questioned the ability for vehicles to drive out safely, even though there had been no issues raised by the highways authority. It too is recommended for approval.