Skipton Properties is at the centre of another planning wrangle.

The construction company is already facing a bill that could run into millions to pull down unauthorised building work at Long Lee.

Now the firm is embroiled in an almost identical feud with residents in Cowling.

Craven District Council has hit out at what it claims is exploitation of planning laws by Skipton Properties.

The firm was accused at a council planning meeting on Monday of 'driving a coach and horses' through the legislative process, and councillors were urged to make a stand against the builder.

Councillor Paul English said: "When a developer can come along and develop a site without planning permission and we can do nothing about it, it's a very sad day.

"If we cave in here developers will see this as a weakness and I do not look forward to future planning meetings."

The row has erupted over plans, which were approved in February last year, for the former Walter C Brigg site in the village.

Approval for the development was given subject to a legal agreement that required a financial contribution from the builder to Cowling Recreation Ground.

But no agreement has ever been signed, and the company has already built on the site when technically it does not yet have permission.

And residents at Pinnacle View, adjacent to the site, say Skipton Properties has built the houses to a different design than the original plans.

They claim the new houses are higher than they should be, and will destroy the view and block out light.

Tony Russell, spokesman for the residents, said: "All of us have been affected by the development, particularly in the height of the houses.

"We chose to live in the countryside and we would like to be able to see it."

Councillors echoed residents' concerns that the removal of banking to build the new houses could put properties at risk.

Residents fear that their properties would not be protected from erosion and could be in danger of slipping.

Cllr Ken Hart said: "I'm not happy with what's going on there, my main concern is the banking.

"We haven't had the drawings checked. We do owe it to the residents to at least convince them that we have looked into it."

The council stated its intention to refuse the application but has for the moment deferred it back to officers to look at enforcement implications.

Brian Verity (pictured), managing director of Skipton Properties, told us: "The planners gave the go-ahead for the scheme subject to the signing of a section 106 agreement but the agreement was never drafted by the council's legal officer, despite numerous requests by us.

"With over 100 jobs at stake, we have proceeded with work on the site in the belief that the paperwork would be finalised.

"However, modifications to the original drawings have had to be made in the meantime.

"These houses are in essence the same as originally proposed, with admittedly some alterations to floor and roof levels. All the buildings remain the same in relation to each other and statutory distances have been adhered to.

"The council's tardiness in responding to our correspondence means that we are now pressing ahead with the play scheme payment by means of a statutory declaration, which will enable us to pay over the money to the community despite the council's apparent reluctance to receive it.

"We will continue to work with the planners towards a satisfactory outcome for the provision of quality housing in Cowling."