THE charity behind the management of Low Bentham Public Hall and Victoria Institute has applied to resurface the area used for parking to make the community building more accessible.

In submissions to North Yorkshire Council, the volunteer management team says the building is open to all through a booking system.

It states: "The public car park in Low Bentham is some 300m away. There are double yellow lines outside the building so parking is not allowed, severely limiting accessibility.

"The proposed site area is currently used as a car park, accessed via a public footpath that has vehicular access to the rear of Low Bentham Public Hall and Victoria Institute and other properties. The car park currently has a grassy muddy surface that is extremely difficult for people with mobility aids to negotiate. This planning proposal will significantly alleviate this problem."

It adds: "We are a hard working management team, made up of volunteers, trying to do our best to enhance our community, make the building more accessible, increase its letting potential which leads to increased income, which leads to less time spent fund raising which allows the management committee to spend more time supporting the staff, volunteers and users."

"Longevity of (the building) will ensure continued employment for the six staff currently employed and allow professionals who currently hire the building to continue working from it."