PROTESTS from a parish council failed to halt development at a former farmhouse in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Members of the Ripon area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council backed a recommendation from officer Helen Sephton to approve the building of stables with tack room, food and hay storage at The Cottage, Low Grantley, near Ripon.

Miss Sephton said while she had sympathy with views of the parish council and other objectors, she did not feel there were sound planning reasons for refusal.

"The development is not significant and stables have been approved elsewhere in the Nidderdale Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty where they are sited close to groups of buildings," she said.

Miss Sephton said the latest plan had been reduced in size from an original scheme.