A PLANNING chairman's casting vote has given the go-ahead to controversial plans to re-site a large building for use by landscape contractors in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Councillors on an area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council were split at 3-3, with chairman Councillor Nigel Simms (Masham) giving his casting vote in favour of the change.
The plan brought strong protests from a parish council and residents.
Grantley Parish Council, near Ripon, said the application by Snow Bros had created a great deal of concern and they had received many letters opposing the scheme.
Councillors were recommended to approve the scheme for the site, between Risplith and Grantley, at a former coal stock yard.
Earlier, permission was granted for a large building to be used by landscape contractors.
But the applicants want to move the approved building 9m to the west to secure a change of access.
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