PLANS to build homes on an 'ancient green croft' in the centre of Cononley have enraged residents.

An infill application to build a pair of linked houses in the conservation area next to Pear Tree Farm in Meadow Lane has been submitted to Craven District Council.

But residents say its development will harm the appearance of the conservation area, the setting of a nearby listed building and is not part of the emerging Craven Local Plan.

Cononley historian, David Gulliver, says the site is "an exceptional local survival".

“We think developing the site and the loss of open space will harm the character and appearance of the conservation area and also the setting of the Grade II listed building already on it," he added.

So far, the council has received 11 written objections to the plans, submitted by Mr V Chandler. They include concerns about the site entrance and the cumulative impact with new houses at Meadow Close.

In a design statement to the council, it is proposed the houses will share access off Meadow Lane, and the site is described as within the densest part of the village, containing many listed buildings.

"The aim is to make best use of the site, while having the minimum impact upon the conservation area and adjacent listed buildings, which are themselves a tight building cluster," says architect agent, John Wharton.

But resident, Andrew Simmons, said: “Visibility at the site entrance in Meadow Lane is not good and is potentially dangerous.

"It is at the narrowest part of the lane and is near Cononley Community Primary School. When the development of houses in Meadow Close is built, this new entry into the lane for the proposed development will create even more traffic problems and danger to children walking to the school, as there is no footpath.”

Caroline Minton-Taylor added: “What is the point of having a conservation area if you don’t conserve it?

"The emerging Cononley Neighbourhood Plan has designated the site as open space, and now that Cononley Mill site is finally going to be developed, we will have more than met our quota for new build requirements for the village for many years to come.”