A PLANNING saga which heaped controversy on the Yorkshire Dales national park policy looks set to have a happy ending for a farming family.

An application for a farm worker's home at Hemplands farm, near the Wharfedale village of Conistone, was supported unanimously by the planning committee - against the recommendation of officers.

Last year, attempts by the Hall family to build a two-storey house hit the headlines when the application was twice approved by members but halted when the park authority's monitoring officer intervened.

The move led to criticism of the park's referral system, which sees applications brought back before the committee when the original decision goes against planners' recommendations.

The application was eventually withdrawn but resurfaced this week in almost identical form and was approved.

Officers ruled there was no justified agricultural need for a second home on the farm and the development was unacceptable in what was legally open countryside.

However, rural planning expert Dr Malcolm Bell, for the applicants, said the house would be on the edge of the village and there was a clear need for another worker.

The holding was run by the applicant with help from his father, who was now aged 75 and unable to give full time assistance. The family was also looking to take over further land.

Members agreed the traditional-style stone building would be acceptable on the edge of the village and said suggestions that a farm worker could live in a nearby village were untenable because of the need to get to the holding in case of emergency during severe winter weather.

The application will be brought back before the committee next month under the referral system.

Coun John Blackie said after the meeting: "Things have moved on in the last 18 months in terms of the deepening depression in the farming industry. I am confident the decision will stand and the Halls will see a happy ending."