PUBLICANS are objecting to a new housing development because they say it would restrict customer parking.

A planning application to pull down a three-storey building behind the Black Swan pub in Belle Vue Terrace, Ripon, and build a three-storey block of five flats will be considered by Harrogate Borough Council planners on Tuesday.

An objection from the pub says the height of the new building, only 15ft away, would also affect their bed and breakfast rooms and patio garden.

The building, between Westgate and Somerset Row, close to the town centre, is served by a narrow access road. The applicant claims highway fears are unfounded because a no-car scheme is now proposed.

Ripon Civic Society is backing the application, saying the new development would become an accepted addition to the townscape.

They particularly welcome provision of cycle sheds.

A North Yorkshire highway chief has agreed that access roads are poor and that there could not be a guarantee residents would not have cars.

But he added that the small size of the units and their central location would encourage other types of transport.

Councillors are being recommended to approve the scheme.