Workshops plan near 11th Century castle approved

The best preserved parts of Richmond Castle have walls which are 11ft (3.3m) thick

Plans to build commercial units close to an 11th Century castle have been approved, despite fears the scheme would harm views from the fortification.

David Eeles wants to build workshop buildings on grazing land north of Green Howards Road, about one mile (1.6km) from Richmond Castle.

The town's civic society and town council both objected to the scheme, claiming the vistas from the castle keep would be spoiled.

However, planning officers said as the development was next to an existing industrial estate, it would result in "negligible harm" to the viewpoint.

Councillors approved a scheme to build commercial units on land beside the Gallowfields Trading Estate

Councillors agreed the 1,000sq m (10,763sq ft) scheme on grazing land in Richmond’s conservation area would be visible from the castle’s tower.

However, they also pointed out the development would be "very visible from all of the town's vantage points and would be visible from just about everywhere".

A meeting of North Yorkshire Council heard Richmond Business and Tourism Association had voiced support for the development, saying it  would greatly improve the appearance of the perimeter of the business park.

However, Richmond Civic Society and Richmond Town Council claimed the agricultural land provided a backdrop to views from high points within Richmond and was “an important characteristic of this historical market town".

But council planners said the proposal provided an opportunity to reduce some of the harm caused by the trading estate, reducing its visual prominence and significantly improving the quality of the setting.

The meeting also heard the development would be visible from fewer than 50 properties in the area.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service councillor Heather Moorhouse said she did not think the development would have a great effect on tourism.

Meanwhile, councillor Stephen Watson said while he sympathised with the town council, developments across an expansive area would have to be ruled out if views from Richmond Castle were paramount.

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]