MORE than 90 per cent of planning applications received by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority were approved in the last year.

The authority made formal decision on 503 applications of which 470 – 93 per cent – were approved, while 33 applications were refused.

The figures, in a report presented to YDNPA’s planning committee meeting, reveal every application involving agricultural buildings or renewable energy was approved – as were 91 per cent of business applications.

Chris Armitage, the authority’s member champion for development management, said: “One of the authority’s main jobs is to identify opportunities for development that will make the National Park a high-quality place in which to live and work, as well as improving the experience for visitors.

“Of course, we also want to make sure that developments do not conflict with the stunning landscapes and fragile ecology of the National Park. So the impact of every application has to be carefully weighed up against these criteria."

The report also shows that 66 per cent of minor applications and 81 per cent of other applications were determined within eight weeks, while 71 per cent of major applications were determined within 13 weeks.

Of the 33 applications refused, 14 went to appeal, with six being dismissed and two withdrawn.