FACTIONS on the authority which administers the Yorkshire Dales barely managed to hold themselves in check yesterday during heated debate focusing on the organisation's integrity.

Some members of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority were stung by an official report by the district auditor, which highlighted weaknesses in the planning process.

It concluded that members could be open to allegations of bias if the authority did not introduce stricter controls.

Highlighting, in particular, the number of decisions made against expert advice, the report suggested more training, more structured procedures at site meetings, and a better code of conduct for responses to lobbying.

However, when the authority's planners met yesterday, the report was criticised by some committee members, angered that it had been interpreted by some as evidence of corruption.

Others urged a more pragmatic approach, insisting the document should not be taken as criticism, but as positive advice on how the authority can improve.

"I am disappointed by the tone, tenure and thrust of the report; it is misleading and anecdotal. I expected better from the district auditor,'' said Councillor John Blackie.

However, the chairman of the authority, Steve Macare, urged members to see it not as a threat, but an opportunity.

"I do not think it is that onerous. The majority of the recommendations will not be difficult to implement,'' he said.

A vote on the way ahead then split the committee with Coun Blackie's proposal winning the day - planning a small working party to thrash out a response to the auditor's report, and to then submit its recommendations to the authority's full planning committee.