A COUPLE, wanting to promote their business by erecting a directional sign, claim they have been waiting for 10 months for a decision by Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.

Stephen and Andrea Taylor live in High Bentham and Stephen's sandblasting, plant hire and agricultural repair business is based just off the A65 near Masongill, between Ingleton and Kirkby Lonsdale.

They have permission from a local landowner to put a sign up in a sheepfold by the A65, but say they have been waiting since March last year for the go-ahead from the national park.

The Taylors have sent off forms, including maps, diagrams and photographs at least three times but each time the national park has requested more information.

Despite having five photos of the sign officials have asked for details of the style of writing, the make-up of the paint and for the detailed map provided by the Taylors to be outlined in red ink.

In addition, despite already having the dimensions of the sign, the park wants more measurements - down to the last millimetre.

Mrs Taylor said: "I am not being funny but don't you think they are just asking too much? It is not as if it's got flashing lights or is bright pink or covered in naked women."

Mr Taylor set up his business eight years ago and has won accolades for his work, renovating tractors across the country.

The Taylors say they need the sign to help their customers, travelling from London, Cambridge or Scotland to find them.

However, a national park spokesman told the Herald the authority was still waiting for a complete application from the couple and could not look at the plan until that was forthcoming.

Mrs Taylor told the Herald: "They have asked for five sets of plans, which had to be metric, five photographs, we outlined the site in blue on a map but it had to be in red so that was sent back and we have had to do it all again.

"We have been backwards and forwards with them and it's getting beyond a joke. They want to know what type of paint we're using now.

"It's a normal sign. We were affected by foot and mouth and want the sign to improve our business.

"I really think they have sufficient information now. If we don't hear anything favourable from them now I want a site meeting with the person responsible. How much longer do we have to wait?"

Andrew Osborne, spokesman for the national park, said the authority was doing all it could to help Mr and Mrs Taylor, but it had yet to receive a properly completed planning application.

He said the couple applied in March, but the paperwork was incomplete being unsigned with no details of the notice or a location plan.

It was then November 13 before another application was received. However, this was also incomplete.

"We can't consider applications until the paperwork has been completed. We have been trying to help them fill in that information but until we have a completed application form we can't determine it," said Mr Osborne.