PLANS to build eight holiday cottages in Burton in Lonsdale have been rejected by North Yorkshire Council.

According to planning documents, submitted to the council, the applicant currently farms the land south-west of the village for cattle and sheep grazing.

They told the council that the site offers an opportunity to provide an “attractive and secluded” setting for tourists visiting the Dales. The cottages would have been built with sustainable materials and designed with steep roof pitches.

The applicant said the buildings would be an “exemplar of high-quality contemporary design.”

The existing access off the A687 would have been maintained with a new cattle grid installed on the boundary with the road.

In March, Burton-in-Lonsdale Parish Council held an extraordinary meeting to debate the application.

Around 60 villagers attended the meeting which resulted in the parish council issuing a strong objection to the proposals.

Countryside charity CPRE also objected due to the impact on the nearby Castle Hill motte-and-bailey castle, which dates back to the 13th century.

Many of the 55 objectors said the holiday cottages would detract from views in the village.

One person wrote: “I am not a NIMBY and I do believe that some development of the lovely village of Burton-in- Lonsdale is not only inevitable but also necessary. However, what we do not need is these overbearing structures in the wrong place. The location is wrong on so many levels.”

A council officer agreed, writing in a report this month that the scheme would risk harming the character of the village.

They said: “Against the proposal, due to its scale. appearance, siting, and layout, it would result in significant harm to the character and appearance of the area and the local landscape, the local dark landscape, and the historic setting of the village.”