CONVERSION plans for the former Natwest Bank in Settle Market Place have been turned down by Craven District Council.

A scheme to turn the ground floor into a cafe/restaurant with four apartments above was rejected by most planning committee members.

Councillors acted against the advice of their officers and the committee chairman to reject the scheme, even though an almost identical application received listed building consent a year ago.

Planning consent was refused because of the impact on the conservation area, overlooking of neighbours and parking, while listed building consent was refused because of its impact on the conservation area.

The meeting heard strong objections from both Settle Town Council and the North Craven Heritage Trust and also from ward councillor David Staveley.

The meeting heard that councillors were in a very difficult position. Listed building consent had already been given a year ago by officers, after ward councillors had not called the plans in to be decided by the planning committee.

The sole refusal reason for the planning application, a new cottage at the rear of the bank, had now been removed from the scheme.

In his presentation, planning manager Neville Watson said there had been no mistakes in the planning process, the applications had just not been brought to committee.

Asked whether the listed building consent could be cancelled, he said he could see no grounds and it would be subject to compensation.

Peter Hopkins agent for the developers the ARBA Group, urged councillors to listen to the advice of their officers and the independent heritage advisor and approve the scheme. He also referred to the recent review of the planning department which he described as damning, saying councillors appeared not to have learnt anything.

“Not accepting professional advice of your officers seems to be a recurring theme of this committee,” he said.

Committee chairman Linda Brockbank, whose move to approve the scheme was lost by four votes to three, with three members choosing not to vote at all, said she felt obliged to go along with officer recommendation.

But former chairman Alan Sutcliffe moved refusal and called on the committee to think hard before making a decision.

“I would ask members to search their consciences deeply before they consign this building to this course of action,” he said.

Members voted six to three to refuse the scheme on grounds of its adverse impact on the conservation area, overlooking and inadequate parking.

Mr Watson advised members against using additional reasons as used by the town council and heritage Trust describing it as a ‘grapeshot approach.

"It will look like you are attempting to come up with any reason you can because you are upset about the single reason for refusal,” he said.