Owners of a Cross Hills office and workshop have been granted planning permission to keep their buildings as they are.

The single-storey building is situated at the back of Viamed Ltd, in Station Road. The application follows a proposal to build a two-storey extension, submitted in April 1996. But for financial reasons the extension was only built as one storey with a flat roof. Objections from neighbours soon followed on grounds of loss of privacy and noise when people started using the roof for sunbathing and meetings.

Over the last 12 months, the applicant has been pressed to complete the building in accordance with the original plans but says he does not intend to do so in the foreseeable future.

The decision to grant planning permission was made at Monday's Craven council planning meeting.

At the meeting the applicant said: "The building has not been used for sunbathing and there has been no noise from the roof area. We do still expect to complete our original plans but we would like a choice. We would like to remain here long-term and have very good links with South Craven School. We are part of the community."

But objector Hugh Stephen-son, of Bank Road, said his property was overshadowed by the Viamed extension.

Glusburn councillor Arthur Dixon said he would like the company to stick to the original plans.

Conditions imposed state that the extension must not be used as a balcony, roof garden or any similar amenity area without specific permission.

Plans to widen an access and build a mobile home and riding ring in Kildwick have been approved. The home and riding ring are to be situated on Grange Road, midway between Farnhill and Kildwick Grange.

The applicant has requested that the access to the site be widened to allow horse boxes to get through easily.

Kildwick parish council felt a mobile home would be 'inappropriate' and is glad it will only be there temporarily. It has also requested that the hillside be returned to its natural state after the riding ring is no longer needed.

Two houses are to go up in Cross Hills despite objections from parish councillors. The two semi-detached houses with garages are to be built on an area of grassland off Back Station Road, next to Anderton Street. Conditions include approval of sample materials and the construction of the garages first. But Glusburn parish council has called the application a 'crafty way to get building into an area totally unsuitable'.

Five Farnhill cherry trees are to be cut down because of damage. The trees, at Langkirk Close, are said to have 'obvious defects' and have been extensively pruned over the years. Farnhill parish meeting has said that it wants replacement trees planted in their place and councillors agreed to this request.

Two new bungalows are to go up in Glusburn. The detached buildings are to be situated on land off Beanlands Drive, next to Beanlands Nursing Home, now a grassed area owned by Craven council.

The replacement trees will be provided through the council's amenity tree scheme.

Craven council is the landowner.

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