A councillor has expressed his disappointment after plans to upgrade a grass sports pitch and build a car park were turned down by officers, describing it as a missed opportunity for a town's wider sports masterplan.

Plans for the former LMS (London Midland and Scottish Railway) site off Carleton New Road, Skipton, would have seen an 'improved' grass pitch, including drainage, and a two-storey 409 space car park on part of the site, together with the removal of dilapidated changing rooms.

Owner of the land, Dalesway Construction, has said the sports pitch would be handed over to Skipton Juniors FC, while the entrance to Skipton Cricket ground would be gifted to the Coulthurst Trust.

The car park would be run on a commercial basis with both long and short term parking also aimed at relieving on-street parking and an alternative to Skipton Railway Station car park.

But, the plan has been refused permission by North Yorkshire Council, following an objection by Sport England, by officers using delegated powers, instead of going before councillors at the Skipton and Ripon Planning Committee. Reasons for its refusal are the 'unacceptable loss of playing field provision' and concerns over flooding.

In response, North Yorkshire councillor Andy Solloway, who represents Skipton West, said he was very disappointed that the application had not gone before the planning committee, and that in his opinion, the scheme would have addressed 'all kinds of issues'.

"As well as enhancing all kinds of sports provision, parking and accessibility at Sandylands Sports Centre, it had a large amount of public support. It would also have created a real opportunity to improve the pedestrian and walking access to the sports centre that as currently there is no footway along Engine Shed Lane," he said.

A planning officer's report, recommending refusal, notes that the car park would be built on part of the existing football pitch but with no replacement provision - which is against policy in the Craven Local Plan

It describes the site as 'open grassland' not currently marked out and with no goalposts and claims there was once two football pitches on the site.

In its submissions to the council, Dalesway Construction says the proposals will 'deliver tangible improvements to the existing playing pitch which would otherwise remain unmanaged and unused' and help the ongoing sports masterplan for the area being put together by North Yorkshire Council.