A COUPLE hope to gain permission to build a bungalow on their land at High Street, Bishop Middleham, although it lies outside the accepted boundary.

But planners have so far recommended the proposal is refused. They say as the site is outside the settlement boundary, it is considered as countryside and would create a precedent of building on green land.

The applicants, John and Doreen Hull, say that there previously was a bungalow on the site which was demolished. They have maintained the land since.

Planning officers argue that the remains of that house, which collapsed in the late 1970s, have blended into the landscape and the site must be considered as greenfield land.

A former club outside the village boundary was converted into flats recently, but planners say it is different because the building was still standing. Following referral, the Secretary of State offered no objections.

At a recent planning meeting, Mrs Hull said: "We feel very strongly about this. We could have left the land derelict and there wouldn't have been a problem, but we've made a big error by clearing the land and making it attractive.

"We were never notified the land had been taken out of the building line, otherwise we would have objected. We've lived in this village since 1976 and we're proud to live there. We would love to build a nice property on that land because we haven't got the strength to maintain it."

Mr Hull added: "I think the sensible thing would be to have a site visit to see exactly what's there, not the land itself, but what's around the land to have a genuine feel for it.

"There's a fence around it, it's on the main road, its address is High Street, it's part of our village and it has been empty for too long."

Members will visit the site on Monday before making a decision.