Planners have rejected a bid to build 20 homes and 12 glamping pods at the former Nidd Valley Saw Mills.

Wakefield-based Milner Homes submitted plans to redevelop the former mill alongside the River Nidd at Dacre Banks.

The mill was sold to the developer in 2020 after its former owner retired.

Milner Homes, planned to convert the mill into five homes, and build a further 15 two to four-bedrooms homes, as well as a dozen glamping pods.

It said the proposal, submitted last year, would "create a distinctive residential development which is sympathetically designed to respect the surrounding built and natural environment" and "promote sustainable tourism".

But North Yorkshire Council refused the application this week.

Trevor Watson, assistant director of planning, listed nine reasons for refusal.

He said "no exceptional circumstances" for the scheme, which is outside the Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35 for development, had been demonstrated.

Other reasons included "a significant, adverse landscape and visual effect upon the landscape and scenic beauty of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty",  "insufficient evidence that the continued use of the site for employment purposes is not feasible or viable" and flood concerns.

Mr Watson added:

Hartwith cum Winsley Parish Council objected because the application was outside the local plan boundary and also because of highways and noise concerns.

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