by Tom Walsh
Controversial plans to expand the Long Ashes holiday park at Threshfield are to be discussed at a public hearing next week.
The Craven Herald reports that Lakeland Leisure Estates, which bought the site in 2011, is seeking planning permission to redevelop rough grassland to house touring caravans and camping pods.
Its initial application was rejected by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority in March 2012, with a second slightly reduced application turned down in September.
This was due to fears about the detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding landscape, as well as concerns about flooding and drainage.
Lakeland has now lodged an appeal against the second refusal and the case is to be heard at a public hearing at Grassington Town Hall on 4 June.
It argues that the proposals could bring significant benefits to the local economy by generating additional visitor expenditure of £367,220 and creating 22 new jobs.
