Sir, - In the past, each planning application before the National Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority was considered by the planning committee on its individual merits.

Applications recommended for refusal by a planning officer, but with specific extenuating circumstances could and often would gain approval by a committee which saw its vital role as interpreting planning policy and not being hidebound by it.

But in our increasingly litigious society, the park authority now considers planning applications in a state of fear of being sued for inconsistency.

The role of the planning committee will become defunct if the National Park uses the local plan as a cast iron rule-book with no room for interpretation. Such a situation would require only the rule-book and a planning officer, with no extra information relevant to each individual application.

In the Camms barn case where local housing need was demonstrated, the decision to refuse local occupancy while offering approval for the building as a holiday let was due to the park's priority for farm income diversification.

When our young people are forced by such policy to leave an area where the average house costs £200,000 and local wages are 60pc of the national average, the national park should ask itself how many local people will be here in 20 years to rent out these properties as holiday lets.

Where planning policy is so obviously wrong, the will at the top of the national park planning authority should be to change such policy, not to attempt to gag Coun Blackie for pointing out that it is wrong.

REBECCA SHAW

The Wensleydale Pottery,

Town Foot,

Hawes.

Gagged

Sir, - As the Dales barn situation rages on, I am sorry to read Coun Blackie feels he is being gagged. It must be very frustrating for him.

I have often been gagged in Richmondshire District Council and officers have also tried to gag Clarion News, which I produce.

Coun Blackie should remember that he led the council to approve a resolution against Clarion News, despite a warning that it would be in breach of the Human Rights Act.

We need open thinking and constructive debate and hopefully the forthcoming elections in May might bring in more councillors with this in mind.

Coun TONY PELTON

High Green,

Catterick.

Lost access

Sir, - I feel very aggrieved that the access through the Three Tuns Yard in Thirsk has been lost; though I can only sympathise with the new resident, Linda Hall, (D&S report, Mar 14). Having bought a house in such a nice part of town she doesn't want a footpath spoiling it all.

Anyone who wants to admire and use the welcome new access to the library should follow Chapel Street (the chapel went years ago, but the cemetery is still there!).

Go past the motor works, through the engineering factory, pass the slaughterhouse, the print shop and the joiners, the new houses, and if you get to the shed where the man keeps his hearses and the back street garage and car yard, you have gone too far. Watch out, by the way, for the big coaches swinging wide taking the kids to and from the baths, and the delivery lorries!

If this decision stands, the district council should make good the way through to the library and Ingramgate by re-laying the flags and cobbles on the nearest snicketway, and make it usable for prams and the disabled by regulating the cars that block it during the daytime.

I can remember when I first moved into Thirsk in the Eighties, an official, "public footpath" sign on the wall of the entry to the yard, now unfortunately absent; or perhaps it is lost amongst the hideous rash of clamping warning signs that deface the historic yard. Welcome to friendly Thirsk!

CHRISTOPHER M PURSER

Front Street,

Sowerby.

Tarmac repairs

Sir, - It was with interest that I read the letter from B Todd (D&S letters, Feb 28).

I would like to point out that repairs to the tarmac on the front of the apron were programmed and budgeted for in January 2002. The existing tarmac had started to disintegrate and posed a potential trip hazard to members of the public. No remedial work has been undertaken as a result of the firefighters' industrial action.

The "brazier" referred to by your correspondent was mounted upon a slab of concrete which was in turn stood on top of four concrete blocks thus negating the likelihood of damage to the tarmac.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service are always happy to receive direct correspondence from any member of the public who may have concerns about their fire service and can be contacted at: NYFRS, HQ, Crosby Road, Northallerton, DL6 1AB.

TERRY B GLOVER

Press Officer,

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Hospice night

Sir, - On behalf of Sally Wilks and myself, who organised An Evening with Alan Bennett in aid of Saint Michael's Hospice, Harrogate, at the Harrogate International Centre on Thursday, February 20, I would like to thank everyone - especially friends and neighbours - for their fantastic support. Thanks to the generosity of so many, the magnificent sum of £33,000 has been raised for the hospice.

HILARY KENDALL

The Old School House,

Kirklington,

Bedale