North Yorkshire planners reject cabins plan near Easby Abbey

Richmond councillor Stuart Parsons described the decision to reject plans for eight cabins beside a footpath on the so-called Easby Loop, between Richmond and Easby Abbey, as “wonderful”.

The application was submitted by Nicholas and Autumn Green, who own the St Nicholas Estate, on Maison Dieu, Richmond.

In the decision notice, North Yorkshire Council planning officers listed seven reasons why the application should be refused.

These included concerns about the proposed access road along a narrow track above the River Swale popular with walkers.

Martin Grainger, head of development management, said in the notice: “The proposal would lead to an intensification of use and give rise to serious conflict with other users of the highway as the access road that is intended to serve the development (Easby Low Road) is unsuitable for additional vehicular traffic and would create significant conflict with existing pedestrian use.

“In addition, the proposed site layout may jeopardise the future maintenance of the footpath, putting its viability at risk, as well as being detrimental to the sense of ruralness, tranquillity, history and being close to nature that users of the footpath currently enjoy.”

Planners added that the scheme would “fail to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Richmond Conservation Area, and the setting and significance of the Easby Conservation Area”.

The council said the applicants had failed to provide supporting information including details on the design of the proposed lodges and the benefits to the local economy.

Planners also noted that no ecological impact assessment, protected species surveys or biodiversity reports had been filed with the report.

The final reasons for refusal were that the application failed to demonstrate how foul and surface water drainage would be achieved, and that the development would not damage the local sewer system.

Nearly 70 people submitted objections to the scheme, with no comments in support.

Many of the objectors raised concerns about access to the site.

Commenting on the decision, Cllr Parsons said: “The planners had heard all the opposition and agreed with many of the points made and so it’s actually a wonderful, positive decision.

“They are actually protecting an incredible part of the assets of Richmond by refusing this application.”

Before the application was rejected, agents for the applicants submitted revised plans addressing some of the concerns raised during the consultation exercise.

Cllr Parsons added: “It didn’t matter what sort of plans came in — it’s the wrong place for any form of development.”

The scheme would have included a site service road, concealed solar panels, utility containment and moveable buildings on the site known as the Playing Fields at the end of Easby Low Road.

The site is near the Drummer Boy Stone, which according to local legend marks the spot where a military drummer boy vanished in a tunnel between Richmond Castle and Easby Abbey.