A VICTIM of multiple sclerosis has been given approval to build a bungalow in the Swaledale village where she has lived for more than two decades.

As reported in last week's D&S, Heather Coates and her husband Eric want to build a bungalow on the edge of the village, able to accommodate her wheelchair and mechanical aids.

Building control officials and social services agree their current home is impossible to adapt.

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority planners had rommended refusal of an outline plannin application because the site was outside the permitted village envelope and therefore contrary to policy.

In a report to members planning officer Rachel Whaley said that personal circumstances, however genuine, could not be classed as a material consideration in determining applications.

But at Tuesday's meeting of the authority, held in Sedbergh, Mrs Whaley said she had now been given guidance to say that in exceptional circumstances they could be considered.

Paul Hodgson, the Coates' agent, spoke on their behalf. He told how four years of exhaustive investigations had come up with no alternative site. "The family has lived here for 150 years," he said, telling how the couple's sons made up 40pc of the teenage community of the village.

He spoke of overwhelming support for the application, with at least one representative from virtually all the permanently occupied homes in Gunnerside signing a petition in favour. "The only objection is from an Essex couple, not resident in the village," he added.

Coun John Blackie moved approval of outline planning permission. He absolved Mrs Whaley, saying she had no option but to recommend refusal. Planning policy said personal circumstances were seldom classed as material consideration, but that did not mean they could not be. "We must approve this application," he added.

The authority's monitoring officer, Mervyn Wilmington, said the key to Coun Blackie's motion were the special personal circumstances coupled with health and safety issues. Members voted, with 18 in favour of granting the application, and one abstention. Unusually, it was decided that the case would not be referred back to committee. As all the information was present, plus reasons given for going against the recommendation, it was felt the application did not need to be referred back.

Mr Hodgson said the authority often came in for a lot of criticism. "But today they probably proved that they do care about people, as well as barns and walls and conservation areas," he added.

Mr Coates thanked the National Park members for listening. "There are so many people to thank for their support that I can't name them all for fear of leaving anyone out," he added. "But I am grateful members took the view they did."