A Yorkshire Dales auction mart - closed during the foot and mouth crisis - is set to be transformed into a major visitor attraction after officials gave the go-ahead for a £5m redevelopment.
Hawes Auction Mart has been given planning permission to construct a new multipurpose building. In a bid to diversify beyond livestock it will incorporate: a new caf for visitors; a training theatre for local groups; new sales and exhibition areas; sports facilities.
The new development will replace an office, other buildings, plus spare land to the east of the site. Trading in the sales ring will be unaffected.
The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority approved the plans at a meeting earlier this week.
Maurice Hall, auction mart manager, said the aim was to provide a service to the local community, as well as bring in extra income to the business.
He said: "We are highly delighted with the decision.
"Our next move is to start putting our case forward to see how much support with funding we can get."
Outline planning permission has also been given for a visitor centre at the auction mart in Burtersett Road.
Mr Hall said: "I see this working in partnership with the Dales Countryside Museum and the Wensleydale Creamery visitor centre.
"We want to create a facility which will allow visitors to the dale, and consumers of rural products, a chance to learn where these products come from.
"The plan is to diversify in these times of difficulty for the agricultural sector."
The auction mart first started looking at other sources of income after it was forced to close during the foot and mouth outbreak.
A feasibility study began in January 2003 to examine how the auction mart might be developed to help the community and the economy of the upper dales.
Talks are underway with Craven College in Skipton to offer NVQ courses in the new building.
Auction mart bosses envisage the facility could also become a venue for car auctions, trade shows and art exhibitions.
If funding is found, work could start on the development in December.
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