Campaign success to protect Yorkshire wetlands

1 April 2019

Campaign for National Parks and Friends of the Dales are celebrating victory over an inappropriate application that would have destroyed precious wetland habitat just outside the boundaries of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Both charities have welcomed the decision to refuse planning permission for a leisure holiday complex comprising a 100 bed hotel and up to 300 chalets proposed for pristine countryside in the Dales.

Over 100 people attended a special planning committee of Craven District Council, 25 March 2019, with cheers and applause greeting the decision.

Important species including the rare lapwings called the Hellifield flashes home. Photo credit: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority

Ann Shadrake, executive director of Friends of the Dales said “We congratulate members of Craven District Council on their unanimous decision to refuse planning permission for a huge leisure village on the edge of the lovely Dales village of Hellifield. Councillors fully considered the robust reasons for refusal put forward in a comprehensive report from their Planning Officer, and listened to the superb presentations from local objectors and parish representatives.

“We are thrilled that this beautiful area of open countryside on the boundary of the National Park and its wealth of precious wildlife has been saved for the future.”

Ruth Bradshaw, policy and research manager for Campaign for National Parks said: “We’re really pleased that Craven District Council members took their responsibilities towards the National Park on their doorstep seriously. This decision will ensure that the landscape and wildlife of this beautiful area can continue to flourish.”

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