A Skipton householder’s plan to remove a condition connecting a granny flat to the main house was rejected.

Applicant Robin Southwell had wanted to remove two conditions surrounding the single-storey building to the house in Princes Crescent.

But last week, Craven District Council’s planning committee went against officer advice and refused permission on several grounds including that a separate dwelling would be inappropriate.

Councillors were told that there was a long history of planning applications and appeals on the site, with the conversion of the former garage and office to living accommodation in April, 2010.

Concerns were raised that an approval could be followed with another application for a larger house.

Planning officer Mark Moore said he sympathised with councillors who felt that previous conditions should be adhered to, but he could not justify any reason to refuse the application.

He reminded councillors that every application should be considered on its own merits and there was no reason to believe another application would follow.

But councillors agreed the council should stick to its decision of two years ago that the annexe should stay ancillary to the house.