Hawes and High Abbotside Parish Council has asked for assurances that the ATM at the former Barclays Bank in Hawes will be retained as it is of such great benefit to the town.
At its last meeting the parish council discussed the application for the conversion, change of use and extension of the former bank. The council decided to request more information from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) as to whether the proposed residential apartments on the first and second floors would be for local occupancy or available to use as holiday lets. The application includes converting the ground floor for non-residential use.
Former chapel. – The council will also contact the YDNPA about the application (part-retrospective) to convert the former Methodist chapel and Sunday school into two local occupancy dwellings.
It was agreed that the council’s original concerns remained the same as during the initial consultation in 2021. It will again ask that any approval should be on the condition that the proposed swimming pool should be for personal use only. If such a condition isn’t included then there should, at least, be a written undertaking regarding that.
The council also feels that any windows that look onto adjoining properties should be opaque to respect the privacy of neighbours. It is very concerned that there is only one exit given the size of the property, and that this could be a problem in an emergency situation. It will also ask the YDNPA for assurance that the rooms would not be used for commercial purposes.
Burtersett. – North Yorkshire councillor Yvonne Peacock informed the council that the new plans for work at Ingledene, Burtersett, did not include access over the village green and that the two applications would be discussed at the YDNPA planning committee meeting on May 30.
The applications are for alterations to the existing dwelling including the erection of a first floor extension; and the conversion of the garage and outbuilding to form a one-bedroom holiday let.
The council’s chairman, Cllr Jill McMullon, said she had written to the YDNPA regarding the concerns of some of the residents, including the initial proposal to access the site across the green. Residents are still concerned about the increase in traffic both during construction and after completion.
Flooding. – Stuart Armstrong was one of the guest speakers at the meeting. He gave an interesting talk on flooding on the River Ure having been involved in a successful flood prevention scheme elsewhere.
He said he had submitted proposals to dam five of the tributaries of the Ure to the YDNPA, Yorkshire County Council and the Environment Agency.
Cllr Peacock advised that North Yorkshire Council flood management team is looking at flood prevention in the area. They are considering all elements of flood prevention and damming would be included she said. The parish council assured Mr Armstrong it would support initiatives to prevent flooding.
Ruth Annison was thanked for her informative talk about local bus services.
Hawes in Bloom. – The council thanked Cllr Peacock for the £500 grant from county funds which had been received and subsequently paid to Hawes in Bloom for the new planters. It was felt that the Hawes in Bloom project is of great benefit to the town.
It was resolved that the council should continue to support Hawes in Bloom with a donation of £600 now and a further £600 later in the year. It had already donated £160.
Defibrillator. – Hawes Junior Football Club had asked if the council would donate £350 towards the cost of a new defibrillator. The council wondered whether it would be better to assist with the cost of ongoing maintenance rather than a one-off donation. Cllr Emma Blades will discuss this with the club.
Cobbles. – Cllr Peacock informed the council that no date had yet been given for repairing the cobbles. She said that a traffic light system would be set up.
She will discuss this again with the Highways Authority as it was felt that perhaps the bottom part of the cobbled area could be done first and allowed to set before the top part was done.
The council has asked that those businesses directly affected should be informed when the repairs would be carried out.
Highways. – Cllr Peacock reported that surface re-dressing of the A684 from Appersett to Garsdale would be carried out sometime in the summer but the Highways Authority had not yet given a start date. She will also ask the Highways Authority for an update about Hardraw Road.
She told the council that some sections of curb stones would be replaced during this financial year, starting outside the public toilet and going towards Birdcage Walk.
The council was concerned about the deterioration of some of the areas resurfaced in Hawes by Tarmac. Cllr Peacock said Tarmac had stated it would continue to inspect the resurfacing and there was a two-year guarantee on the work.
Parish council. – The new parish council clerk is Kate Kelly who is working on a shared basis with Bainbridge Parish Council.
The annual residents’ meeting will be in Gayle Institute at 6.30pm on May 22, followed by the annual general meeting of the parish council at 7pm.
