A FALCONRY centre in North Yorkshire has turned woodland into a barren wilderness.

This was the claim of a councillor calling for the refusal of plans for a flying area at the Great Broughton site.

Coun Margaret Skilbeck told members of Hambleton development control committee that the centre had become a visual intrusion on a beauty spot.

But planning officers were recommending approval of the application by Mr M Robb to change the use of agricultural land for a flying pen, which would involve six telegraph poles in a circle covered by fibre netting.

Coun Skilbeck said: "This operation is commercial and not agricultural. The birds are not livestock and so this is not an agricultural building.

"The structure can be seen from the North York Moors.

"I want to see landscaping conditions imposed, including fencing to stop dogs getting through.

"Since this development, a nearby woodland has become a barren wilderness, with no birds or wildlife at all. Residents blame the falcons for this and it is becoming a visual intrusion on to the rural landscape.

"I want to see this refused."

Coun June Imeson asked if the national park authority had been consulted on the plan and was told "no".

Coun David Smith felt it would have been appropriate to have talked to the park authority.

"The centre has become an intrusion and the impact is making it hard for the community to gain access to open countryside," he said.

Coun John Coulson said: "I am quite concerned about this. It is taking a big area away from open country."

The head of development control, Maurice Cann, pointed out that permission had been given for three different buildings at the site for the breeding and rearing of rare falcons. About 200 birds were now at the centre.

"A business has become established with the help of this authority," he said. "There is no threat to wildlife or people as the birds are fully contained. The netted area is for them to exercise."

Coun David Murkett said falcons would frighten off wildlife.

"Do we go on forever letting this become greater and greater, or say this is as far as it can go?" he asked.

Coun Imeson said: "We were dubious about this from the start. We were told there were no grounds for planning refusal and reluctantly went along with it.

"This is a step too far if we want to discourage further expansion."

Mr Cann said birds had been dying through lack of exercise and being kept in confined areas.

"This flying area is to allow them to build up strength before being allowed into the wild where they have to survive."

It was agreed to defer the issue for consultations with the national park, a site visit for the benefit of six new members of the committee and further talks with the applicant.