A controversial planning application to extend a Yorkshire Dales hotel in a beauty spot has been given approval despite local opposition.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's planning committee voted the plans for Aysgarth Falls Hotel through, in accordance with a recommendation from planning officers.

A proposal to delay the decision to get further information from Yorkshire Water or carry out a site visit was voted down.

Issues with foul water impacting on Aysgarth Falls just 200 metres away were dismissed, despite one member stating that the water company was not carrying out its "social responsibility".

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Richard Foster spoke against deferment on the grounds that Yorkshire Water were unlikely to be able to provide any more comment.

He said: "Their role is to provide swage works in the area.

"We may see this as a problem but we cannot make planning decisions on the basis of that.

"The only other reason for deferment is a site visit. The site is currently covered in tents and caravans."

The motion to defer was defeated despite seven members voting for it.

The planning application was ultimately approved by the committee despite vocal opposition from members in the community and the parish council.

Alistair Dinsdale, a Wensleydale dairy farmer, was particularly concerned by the environmental impact of the plans.

He said: "Many years ago I used to empty the small sewage settling tank in the meadow which served the hotel and the youth hostel.

"The system was already inundated 50 years ago and discharged raw sewage into the wood and river below.

"Eventually Yorkshire Water installed the small package sewer plant below the Mill cottages.

"This is made inaccessible to anything other than small vehicles by the tunnel under the mill and will make removal of solids and other bulk materials difficult.

"The system discharges directly into the river above the middle falls.

"When I visited the outfall last Wednesday afternoon it was discharging milky coloured liquid with unfiltered solid sweetcorn kernels - useless.

"These plants work on bacteria and will not work with amounts of fats, oils, cleaning chemicals, disinfectants and certainly not the contents of hot tubs which are emptied along with their chemical contents and refilled between each new guest.

"All these products kill bacteria and render the treatment plant ineffective.

"The application put forward arbitrary figures suggesting a reduction in discharge but what sort of discharge? What goes down that pipe ends up in the falls."

The planning officers report did include a number of conditions which must be met for permission to be granted. 

Jason Brook, chief executive of the Brook Group, described how "special" the property and their plans for it are.

He said: "When we acquired the hotel, the rooms were tired and lacked any recent investment, but the restaurant had a good local reputation for food.

"We knew that we had found a very special property in a beautiful and unique location.

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"Our aim has always been to elevate the offering more in line with current demand and tastes.

"Our long-term plans are to offer a retreat-like environment for a wide range of customers, whilst also offering excellent facilities for corporate and international guests.

"Integral to that plan is the provision of the hotel lodges, which really will place guests at the heart of this spectacular Yorkshire landscape, just a short walk from the celebrated Aysgarth Falls."