A PLAN to turn a landmark boat house into a shop has hit choppy waters.

Harrogate Borough Council has tabled an application for approval to change the building on the River Nidd, in Knaresborough, to allow retail use between March 15 and October 31 each year, when it is little used.

The borough council has not indicated what would be on sale, but sales of food and drink would be banned.

But the idea has brought objections from Knaresborough Town Council and Knaresborough Civic Society. There are also five letters of objection from members of the public.

The town council says not enough information has been given about the type of trade proposed to judge the scheme's impact.

Knaresborough Civic Society said it was "totally opposed" to the change, deploring loss of another business.

Members of the public say the building is unsuitable for retail use; will affect residential amenity; create a road safety problem, impact on the landscape; create noise and mean loss of a boat repairing facility in summer.

A report by planners says the site is outside the main retail core of the town, but adds that the development would be a small shop.

Planning officer Neville Watson recommends an "on balance" approval for the project.

"No alterations are proposed and the setting of the listed buildings on Waterside and the conservation area will be enhanced," said Mr Watson.

The application will be discussed by Harrogate Borough Council on Tuesday.