A DALES attraction wants to increase the number of visitors allowed through its gates.

Coverdale's Forbidden Corner has applied to Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority for permission to let in 150 visitors an hour.

Owner Colin Armstrong is hoping for understanding from the authority, which originally ruled his attraction should be closed.

Relations between the Forbidden Corner and the authority were frosty when it emerged the fantasy garden, near Middleham, had opened to the public without planning consent in 1997.

Mr Armstrong's bid for retrospective permission was turned down.

But in 1999 he won an appeal to keep it open.

Mr Armstrong insists he now enjoys a positive working relationship with the authority.

A new car park and toilet block have since been added to the attraction, which was built originally for Mr Armstrong's children but now draws in visitors from all over the world.

Conditions imposed when the Forbidden Corner was granted planning consent, on appeal, restricted capacity to 120 visitors an hour.

It was argued that local roads may struggle to cope with any more and a cap on visitors would help mollify those concerned at the impact the attraction would have on the area.

However, such is the demand, that the Forbidden Corner is having to turn people away.

Mr Armstrong is now hoping the national park authority will look favourably on a bid to increase the hourly visitor rate.

"If the authority agrees, it's not as though we will have 150 through from dawn until dusk,'' he said.

"We don't open until noon as we don't want too much traffic in the area when the local racing stables are exercising their horses on the gallops.

"We could easily take double the numbers we do at the moment, but even allowing us a maximum of 150 guests an hour would ease the congestion with the most popular times in the early afternoon.''

A spokeswoman for the national park said the authority could not comment on the attraction's chances of success before planners had debated the matter.

Richmondshire District Council leader John Blackie said the attraction has made its mark.

"There is no doubt it has helped bring additional prosperity to Middleham and Coverdale through tourism,'' he said. "Clearly, that is something which I hope the national park authority will take into account.''