PLANS for a treatment plant to improve drinking water quality for residents of a remote Yorkshire Dales village are debated by the national park authority next week.

Yorkshire Water wants to build the plant near its existing treatment works above Pepper Hall, at Langthwaite.

The scheme is needed to comply with drinking water regulations after samples showed the water quality had deteriorated over the last three years.

Drinking water for the village is currently treated only by disinfection and sampling showed there was a "significant risk" of the potentially harmful cryptosporidium entering the system.

Planners say the development, which includes an eight-metre high stone building, are contrary to the local plan because of its size and scale in a conservation area.

However, if the planning committee on Tuesday supports the proposals, conditions could limit the impact of the development