A FARMING family has asked for permission to build a home for their son so he can be available to help in times of emergency.

Jean Pearson has written a two-page letter to planners, urging them to allow construction of the farmworker's home.

After two refusals, the Pearson family submitted new plans, bringing the three-bedroomed house nearer to the main farm.

In her letter, Mrs Pearson says the family is a small operation which she runs with her husband Noel and son Andrew.

She says they need an additional property on the farm at Mossie Mire, Laverton, near Ripon, in the Nidderdale Area of Natural Beauty, because their married son is living in rented property on the outskirts of the city.

Her letter says: "The expense of renting, cost of fuel and, most important, the fact that he is not on hand when an emergency arises can be the difference between life and death with the time it takes him to travel.

"There certainly is a welfare problem and because of this we need Andrew and his wife living here where his work is," says Mrs Pearson, whose family are livestock farmers.

The planning application will be heard at Pateley Bridge on Tuesday next week.

The planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council will be told that the proposal already has the backing of Kirkby Malzeard, Laverton and Dallowgill Parish Council.

Five other letters of support have been received.

Planning officer Mike Warden is recommending refusal but concedes there is some agricultural justification for a second home.