PLANS to build five holiday lodges at High Laithe Farm, Keighley Road, in Skipton, have been given the go-ahead by North Yorkshire Council.

The timber-clad lodges will be put up on a parcel of agricultural land to the east of Keighley Road and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The lodges will be accessed by an existing track to the south of the site which connects to Keighley Road over a canal swing bridge.

The site, which is outside the main built-up area of Skipton, is is open countryside and is mostly enclosed with a combination of fencing and hedgerows.

In addition to the lodges, there will be parking for seven vehicles and turning areas.

An officer's report in recommending approval states: "The proposal would not adversely affect the character and appearance of the area, given the existing capacity of the site and its ability for the local area to absorb the development.

"The proposal given its limited visibility from public vantage points would not be harmful to the rural landscape. Nor would the proposal give rise to any adverse impacts on resident's amenity, highway safety or increase in any flood risk. The proposal would provide biodiversity benefits."