Proposals to transform a Cross Hills dress shop into a cafeteria have been approved by Craven council. The shop, situated on Main Street, was granted planning permission by members at Monday's planning meeting with the condition that it opens at 8am and closes at 8pm.

Planning officers had exp-ressed concerns about the risk of the proposed cafeteria leading to similar requests which could result in a reduction of retail outlets in the area. Glusburn parish councillors recommended the application be refused because of the impact it would have on parking, traffic and the environment. They also claim the opening of any new take-aways is prevented under the council's current Local Plan.

But at the meeting, Cllr Ian Bannister claimed there was enough parking spaces available in the village. He said: "I don't believe we have a parking problem. The cafeteria will be in reasonable walking distance from the existing car parks."

Three letters objecting to the plans were received by the council expressing concern about the lack of off-street parking, late night opening times and an already high percentage of food outlets in the village. But applicant Alan Brown assured members at the meeting that there was adequate parking and it would not offer a take-away service.

* Proposals to fell a large sycamore tree in Farnhill have been thrown out by Craven council. The applicant requested to fell the tree at his home - Walter's Barn - because it prevented him from developing a small garden next to the converted barn. He also asked for another sycamore located nearby to be pruned.

But members agreed to put a tree preservation order on both trees to stop them being felled. They can be pruned when necessary. Cllr Andrew Rankin said: "Those trees are both healthy and were there before him. To fell one of them would be criminal."

The applicant explained that the garden had to go where planned because of limited soil areas.

Enforcement and tree officer Ted Gill believed the felling of one tree would be a 'minimum loss' and had no objection to the proposal.

* Plans to build a flat and workshop at a Cowling mill have been turned down. Members agreed the potential for nuisance complaints from people living in the new flat would be considerable and would restrict commercial operations in the mill complex.

The applicant proposed to build a first floor flat with a workshop at ground floor level within the complex of buildings at Ickornshaw Mill at the bottom of Winkholme.

Health and housing officers have expressed concerns about people living in the flat who could be 'bothered by noise.'

They say the occupiers could then complain to the environmental protection team about the nuisance which would lead to an investigation.

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