Villagers fight centre expansion

Villagers have joined forces to fight controversial plans to expand a Christian community and conference centre in the Yorkshire Dales.

The Scargill Movement, a charitable company, is seeking planning permission from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority for major changes to Scargill House at Kettlewell to extend the existing Christian residential and educational centre.

But the vision for the centre's future has met criticism from residents in the surrounding area including Kettlewell and Starbotton.

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Now opponents of the scheme have joined forces to form Wharfedale Against Scargill Planning (Wasp).

Critics fear that the expansion will lead to light pollution and traffic problems and have a detrimental effect on local wildlife and trees on the site.

Spokesman Stephen Charlton said: "The big concern is light pollution because the plans are indicating a building that is concrete and glass. People have major concerns about light pollution because it is a dark dale. There is no light pollution in the dale at the moment.

"The second major issue is transport. Scargill House is set back off a minor road single track that is used by farmers, walkers and is part of the Dales Way. A lot of walkers use it. There are plans for coaches up there. People are concerned about how transport will get there.

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"Also all the construction traffic will pass through Kettlewell itself and down that single track. They are talking about a five- to 10- year building plan to get the whole thing developed so that could be disruption for a number of years."

While the plans have evoked strong opposition, some people are believed to be in favour of the development.

Mr Charlton said: "People generally are not against Scargill itself. It is the plans that have been submitted that people are objecting to."

A date is yet to be set for when the planning application will be determined, but the park authority planning committee is expected to consider the application on either on May 11 or June 8.

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The vice-chairman of the Scargill Movement, Tony Hesselwood, said: "We want to listen to the concerns of the local people. We had a presentation in Kettlewell village hall so local people knew exactly what we were doing and we are wanting to listen to the comments that they are making."

Mr Hesselwood said the organisation wanted to update the building for the next 25 years through a mixture of refurbishing existing buildings and some new build.

The plans include a new building consisting of 25 rooms for guest accommodation and the demolition some existing buildings and replacing them with new dining and meeting facilities and community accommodation for the residents in a complex of interlinked buildings.

Mr Hesselwood said: "It may be 10 to 15 years before we actually get it all completed. It will be done in phases but we have applied for permission to do all that we want to do. The place was made into a conference retreat centre in the 1950s. It needs to be updated and made more ecologically friendly. The design is to use natural light and natural heat as far as possible."

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As well as increasing the number of guests who could stay at the centre to 100, the plans would also accommodate a youth facility for 35 people.

Mr Hesselwood said: "We are working in conjunction with other agencies in the Dales who can provide outdoor activities for young people but not the accommodation so we will be working with the local community rather than against them."