Hope for crumbling mill close to popular Dales beauty spot

FRESH HOPE has emerged that a crumbling historic mill beside one of the Yorkshire Dales’ most popular attractions can be saved.

Fears had mounted that the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s planning committee yesterday would be left with little option but to reject the first comprehensive plan to rescue and restore the Victorian Yore Mill, at Aysgarth Falls despite it being under “severe threat”.

The landmark building needs urgent repairs as the roof of the Grade II-listed former corn and woollen mill has collapsed inwards and the building’s fabric is said to be in a poor state and rapidly deteriorating following years of difficulties in developing a suitable use for it.

While the authority’s first purpose is to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the area, North Yorkshire County Council road bosses had stated a proposed scheme to convert the mill into two flats, six holiday let flats and one local occupancy flat, alongside a visitor centre and a commercial premises would be likely to create road safety hazards and congestion.

The highways bosses department said due to the absence of adequate onsite parking space, the development would lead to more cars parked on the side of the road.

As a result the authority’s planning officers said with regret, they had to recommend the developer Dave Peacock’s plan be refused due to a lack of car parking at the proposed development.

In a report to the meeting, officers stated if the authority was to approve the application, contrary to the advice of the highway authority, it was “faced with replacing one problem with a very different, but also potentially very harmful one”.

However, as the scheme was due to be considered by the committee, members were asked to postpone a decision until December as a number of options to overcome the road safety issues had emerged including other car parking sites and drop-off and pick-up points.