AN agricultural engineer and his family faced possible eviction from their home after falling foul of the national park authority.

The problems came to light when John Kirkbride, who has lived at High Hall Farm, Appletreewick, since 1995, applied for planning permission to extend his home.

He was told the property had an agricultural occupancy condition, and, as he was not classed as an agricultural or forestry worker, he was contravening national park policy.

The Kirkbrides found themselves facing possible eviction from the property and had no choice but to apply to the national park to have the condition modified.

However, planning officers recommended refusal of the application, stating that the occupation of the house denied its availability to genuine farmers or forestry workers.

They feared that allowing a change in agricultural occupancy policy in this instance would set a precedent in the national park, which has a large majority of houses covered with occupancy clauses.

They did, however, realise that refusal of the application meant the Kirkbrides would have to sell their home to what they classed as a "genuine" agricultural worker and move.

Speaking at the national park meeting, Mrs Kirkbride said as far as they were concerned they were agricultural workers. Both her husband and son were agricultural engineers who carried out a large proportion of their work locally, while their daughter was a dry stone waller and tree surgeon.

She also said that nothing was pointed out by either their solicitor, or the solicitor of the previous owner of the house when the sale and purchase was being negotiated.

National park member John Sayer vouched for the family, saying he had used both Mr Kirkbride and his cousin, also an agricultural engineer, on several occasions.

"They have been on my farm many times mending broken parts on tractors. They are as much a part of agriculture as farmers. These chaps are like gold dust," he said.

Coun David Ireton agreed, saying engineers provided a vital service.

Members voted for a compromise, which would involve drawing up a legal agreement to allow agricultural engineers at High Hall Farm. That way it would not set a precedent for other properties, which are covered by agricultural occupancy conditions.

A decision was deferred until the next meeting of the committee in February to give officers time to prepare the legal agreement.