AN amended planning application for a disabled access ramp to a bank in a Teesdale town has been recommended for approval - despite the town council's objections.

Although Barnard Castle Town Council has recommended the application for the ramp at the town's NatWest bank is refused, Teesdale District Council planning officers feel it should be given permission.

The town council has said it should be refused because the opportunity has not been taken to provide a fully-internal ramp, and the ramp encroaches onto the public footpath beyond the line of the bank's projecting bay window.

However, Teesdale District Council planning officer Bill McEwan said that the initial application was for a wholly external ramp.

It also included lights over the ATM and Night Safe and a light over the main entrance, which were considered to be detrimental to the character of the listed building.

However, the bank's agent has now deleted the lighting and revised the ramp details.

Mr McEwan added: "The revised ramp details are considered innocuous and have minimal impact for the listed building.

"Notwithstanding the comments of the town council, the amended proposal is considered acceptable."

Teesdale council's planning committee will discuss the application on Wednesday at 5.30pm.