A COMMITTEE that determines planning applications for some of the most sensitive areas of Richmondshire might sit without any representatives from the district, it has been said.

Reductions in the size of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and its planning committee could result in members from Craven, Leeds and elsewhere having the final say on developments in Richmondshire.

But senior officers said the scenario was almost impossible, unless Richmondshire representatives refused seats on the committee.

On Tuesday, the authority reduced its planning committee membership from 15 to 11. Last year, membership was cut from all 26 members to 15 after the Audit Commission said debates on planning were taking too long. The change was intended to be a two-year trial.

The authority was also reduced to 22 members, with two of the four lost seats being a district council and a parish council member from Richmondshire.

Councillor John Blackie, a member of Richmondshire District Council, North Yorkshire County Council and the national park authority, said: "Richmondshire representatives took the major hit in the reduction to 22. Craven and South Lakes districts had retained their level of representation.

"Because of the earlier reduction, it now could be very, very likely that we could have a planning committee on which not one representative from Richmondshire will sit."

David Butterworth, the authority's chief executive, said reducing the planning committee to 11 kept its proportions identical to those of the whole organisation.

He said: "Within the 22 members, we have six from district councils, six from county, six appointed by the Secretary of State and four from the parishes.

"To keep that proportion, if you reduce the size of the committee, the next number is 11, so there are three of each and two parish."

Members who do not sit on the committee one year are automatically offered a seat the following year. Next year, Richmondshire district councillors Raymond Alderson and Yvonne Peacock will have the option to sit on the committee.

Mr Butterworth said: "The situation of Richmondshire having no representative on planning is so unlikely that it is almost impossible."