Villagers worry about new estate

This news fills me with dismay. Is this the end of Long Preston as a small, unspoilt dales village?

The developers, Northern Heritage, who are also associated with the Hellifield auction mart development, must be jumping with joy; I mean, how many more houses will they be able to build on the auction mart fields? I know at the moment these two fields are outside the building line - but for how long?

How long will it be before they appeal to have the boundaries moved or they put in for low cost houses, which can be built outside the building lines?

The national park's U-turn is even more surprising given the fact that the Highway Authority said that the exit onto the busy A65 is of substandard visibility, 36 metres instead of the 90 metres required. How long will it be before we have another serious accident on this road? And as to the proposed traffic calming measures, are we going to end up like Settle? In fact will the speed bumps: find a new home in Long Preston?

Nobody is denying that the auction mart is currently an eyesore and that the building of some houses would improve it, but if Mr Blackie had spoken to the community he would have found that, yes we do want some houses to be built but in keeping with the rest of the village, maybe around another village green.

This development is right in the heart of the village and is too dense and unsympathetic to the character of the village. If we had needed low cost housing that would have been an ideal site instead of ruining open green field sites.

I can only hope that in 10 years time we do not have just one big housing estate stretching from School Lane to Church Street, because then it would not be a village anymore, just a carbon copy of Hellifield auction mart.

Andrea Dewhurst,

Long Preston.

Sadness

SIR - It was with amazement, sadness and even anger that I reacted on hearing that full planning permission was given for the erection of 16 houses on the Cattle Mart Site in Long Preston.

Only just before Christmas the Craven Herald had a short article on the subject ('Free bike offer fails to win over park planners'), which pinpointed some of the issues as to why objections had been made. But in the main it is the sheer density of the development and the issues of traffic safety that are of major concern.

That support has been given for so many houses on half a hectare of land is bad enough but it is the layout and flagrant disregard for the village centre's safety and character that should be addressed.

The character of the village centre relies much upon its greens and, being in a conservation area, one would have thought this would be taken into account. But no space has been allowed for a green in the new development.

The argument is that this is unnecessary as it would be a private cul-de-sac. However, the developer has said that there is the possibility of building more houses on the fields between the old mill, the cattle mart site and the school in future. If changes in the building boundaries or low-cost housing allow this to do so, then it is likely some form of public access will join each development, whether by road or footpath - so why no green (or greens if more than one development)? Because more houses equals more money?

If a green is not included and then yet more houses are built, we will have joined Hellifield in its domino effect of building phases which has turned the town into another huge housing estate - how pretty will our little country village be then?

And the issue of traffic safety - that of the number of cars entering and exiting onto a nearly blind corner where the access is narrower than recommended by the Highway Authority - which so nearly caused the permission to be refused was overruled - why?

What measures will be made to ensure the safety of both pedestrians and traffic? At present there is a blatant disregard for the 30 mph zone as it is - until the weekend when there is more likely to be a queue.

Offering bicycles to the residents of the new development is hardly going to help - the poor blighters are more likely to get mown down by some idiot flying round the corner. Or is that what it will take before the folly of allowing this access is recognised- a serious accident, a ruined family?

Lastly I have to ask, does anyone actually care what is happening to our village - or is it a case of that which isn't outside your front door, or that of the developer's, can do no harm; will a future driver's comments be "it's just a pity that Long Preston looks like another housing estate, used to be quite pretty, nice spot to stop off - but no character these days - let's carry on 'til we find somewhere better"?

Heather Thomas-Smith

Long Preston

More paths open

SIR - Mr Glover's thoughtful letter (Craven Herald January 11) highlights the confusion caused by a national television news piece that reported all footpaths and bridleways throughout the country would be opened as of January 1.

This, as Mr Glover rightly points out, was not the case. However, as I write, things are moving on apace. By the time this letter is published all but two per cent of footpaths and bridleways in the Yorkshire Dales National Park will be open for the public to enjoy.

This is great news for the national park, our communities and the visiting public and one hopes marks the return to normality in 2002.

The only paths that remain closed are those that pass through some of the farms that had foot and mouth disease and are yet to complete their secondary cleansing and disinfecting. In the coming weeks these too will be lifted, but in the meantime these routes will remain signed as being closed and the public are asked to continue to respect these very limited closures.

As ever, our staff are on hand at the National Park Centres to advise the public on the remaining restrictions.

Jon Avison,

Head of Park Management,

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority,

Colvend, Grassington.

Information denied

SIR - I am about to appeal for my daughter to gain entry to the local grammar school.

Before the appeal I have asked for information from North Yorkshire Local Education Authority - information I consider essential in helping me present a case. To date the LEA has not replied and there is a little over a week before the appeals begin.

This means that North Yorkshire LEA is expecting me to enter the appeal whilst they have kept information from me. This is directly against the code of practice.

This information is highly relevant and should be easy to hand if North Yorkshire are so confident about using 11+ in their selective process.

Namely what accuracy have they showed for these tests against SATs in year six? Why do they consider that coaching has little effect on the tests scores? What is the appeal panel briefed to consider in the appeal?

Such information is the very least my daughter and I should expect about such a major decision in her life.

If anyone who is about to enter the appeal process would like to see what information, if any, is sent to me I will be posting it along with my original letter on the web site www.skiptonsecondaryschools.com.

If anyone would like further information about the experiences of other appeals please email me at the web address on that site - info@skiptonsecondaryschools.com

I would like to highlight that 10 people complained to the Ombudsman in 2000 about disclosure of evidence which they all felt was unresolved by North Yorkshire LEA after their complaint had been finished.

Lorna Palmer,

Sunny Royd, Bradley.

Built to last

SIR - As the owner of a business specialising in the care, repair and maintenance of graves, may I comment on some points raised in your article 'Old memorial stones give rise to a grave problem' (Craven Herald, January 4).

Cemetery and churchyard authorities have to decide whether to take on the financial responsibilities of individuals, often living away from the area, or to risk being accused of the destruction of a unique record of local history.

The relevant legislation, the 1977 Local Authorities Cemeteries Order, empowers the authority to take any action required to make cemeteries safe for visitors. This includes laying down insecure headstones.

The same statute also permits the authority to remove any damaged or displaced stonework if it is not repaired within 12 months of the damage occurring.

Twice in the past year I have visited graveyards at the request of the family, to repair damage which they have noted, only to find that all traces of kerbs or monument have disappeared. I asked one authority if they intended to remove the stones they were currently laying down if they had not been either re-erected or dug in flat within the statutory 12 month period. I was told that could well occur, as Health and Safety advice was that they could present a trip hazard.

It is well known that cemetery authorities dislike any stonework erected over graves as they interfere with grass cutting. There may be a temptation for some authorities to seize this opportunity to remove even more monuments.

The cost of laying down and digging in a headstone is very similar to that of underpinning the existing foundation and leaving the stone erect and secure. If displaced kerbs were re-secured as soon as the damage was noted (damage often caused by mowing operations), they could continue to provide support to the headstone.

Usually, however, the displaced kerbs are simply removed and disappear. Many people are happy to pay for the upkeep of their family graves. However, those who live away are often unaware of its condition. Why do the authorities not provide a facility for people to register an interest in a grave, then they can be consulted if repairs are necessary?

Contrary to the council spokesman, I find the Victorian monuments, in the main, to be robust and secure.

Most of my work concerns graves dating from the 1930s to the 1960s and, alarmingly, a number less than 15 years old.

It seems, sadly, that even our memorials to the dead are not what they used to be.

John Mellin,

Dales Gravecare,

West End House,

Earby Road, Salterforth.

Bus fares hike

SIR - I read with interest the Craven Herald article on the school transport issues for parents of children attending Skipton schools.

My son attends a Skipton school and the first we knew about the changes were in a letter handed out to the children by the bus driver.

This letter stated that the services 444 and 446 would be amalgamated and fares for children using the service would now be charged at the full price.

My son has for the last two-and-a- half years used the school bus service to get to school each day. We have always purchased from Keighley and District a pass, which is not usable outside of school days, for him to use.

This has cost us £120 since September 2001. The new pass proposed by Keighley and District will cost £130, the next school term is 49 days long so this works out to £2.65 per day. Paying half fare (only now available on regular services) will cost £1.50 per day or £73.50 for the term. I do not think that this is acceptable.

Keighley and District have decided to amalgamate two services, the 444 and 446, with, as far as I can see, the plan to phase them out of service altogether.

These services are well used each day and serve Aireville, Skipton Girl's High and Ermysted's. Due to the number of pupils making the journey, not only will adult passengers on the regular service have to endure the high spirits and noise of large numbers of young passengers, but, more importantly, some children will be left standing at the bus stops as the full buses go past. Arriving late is not the best start to the day for any child.

Once in Skipton these children are then going to have to cross busy roads and make their own way through Skipton to school.

The same will happen in the evening, and children will be standing around Skipton bus station waiting to get home. Even I can see inherent problems with this. Some of these children will be no more than 11 years old. As a parent I find this an unacceptable situation.

I and several other parents have voiced our concerns to Keighley and District, who do not seem to realise (a) the cost implications for parents and (b) the safety issues for our children. My son and others already walk half a mile to and from the bus stop with all their bags and equipment every school day. To then be left standing as buses go past would not encourage them to get to school. We have had little response apart from the brushing off of our concerns.

The changes proposed by Keighley and District Transport Ltd make a mockery of everything the government is telling us about not using our cars but public transport instead.

This is not just an issue for children but also for the adults, as no doubt Keighley and District Transport is planning to raise the fares quite substantially for them as well on its services to Skipton.

Kathryn Dixon,

Styveton Way, Steeton.

Pool closed again

SIR - Get fit and raise money for good causes was a headline.

Not a chance at Aireville Pool if my experience is anything to go by.

The pool was closed for two weeks over Christmas and New Year for maintenance. Fair enough.

But twice since then I have driven into Skipton to find the pool closed due to crumbling infrastructure.

When is Craven District Council going to give us a pool the town and district can be proud of, so enabling the locals to enjoy a healthy, happy and rewarding pastime.

M Medlock,

Piece Croft, Threshfield.

Open the Dev

SIR - Could any of our esteemed councillors, especially those on the planning committee, explain to mere mortals the reason for the delay in granting planning permission for the refurbishment of the former Devonshire Hotel on Newmarket Street.

Surely the reason cannot be the staircase (which no-one is really interested in anyway) or are there more sinister reasons?

Perhaps they would like to see the building fall into disrepair and become more of an eyesore than it already is and receive no extortionate business rates as it stands empty or maybe pressure is being put on by other licensed premises or food establishments scared of competition.

Or are there plans to turn it into one of the biggest charity shops in the country in a town which is already the charity capital in Britain.

I would be intrigued to know the reason for the delay and I await the response with curiosity.

William S Watson,

Moorview Road, Skipton.

Late night vandals

SIR - We live on the Rockwood estate and sadly have to report that the area is subject to the same mindless vandalism as everywhere else in Skipton.

Over the past few months we have had our newly planted trees pulled up on no less than six occasions. Further down the road someone has had the number plates broken off his car three times.

Now these kids, coming back late from the pubs or discos, probably think it's a harmless laugh - but it's not, it's vandalism!

We have narrowed down where these vandals live, so if your kids came back late on Sunday January 13, I suggest you have a word with them, because it's only a matter of time before the actual culprits are tracked down.

And never mind "my children wouldn't do something like that" - they have!

Mrs A Merrington,

Rockwood estate, Skipton.

Stroke awards

SIR - To have a stroke can be devastating, not only for the individual but also for family, friends and partners.

Nominations are now being taken for the Stroke Association's 10th annual Life After Stroke Awards. The awards recognise the extraordinary courage shown by people of all ages who have had a stroke and also those who care for them.

Nomination forms are available from Life After Stroke Awards, The Stroke Association, Stroke House, Whitecross Street, EC1Y 8JJ or phone 02075660315. Closing date is March 15.

Nicola Ryan,

The Stroke Association.