A FARMER has won his plea to build a grain silo after agreeing to reduce its height by 20ft to lessen its impact on the countryside.

The 40ft silo was given the go- ahead following a site visit by members of the Ripon area planning committee of Harrogate Borough Council at Thorpe Farm, Knaresborough Road, Littlethorpe, near Ripon.

Councillors were recommended by planning officer Mike Parkes to refuse the application, which overlooks a neighbouring listed building.

A report to the committee revealed the new silo was needed by farmer Tim Abel for increased storage to comply with new regulations.

But Littlethorpe Parish Council said the development would be an intrusion on environmental and scenic grounds, out of character and visually intrusive to neighbours.

York Georgian Society wanted an assurance that no unsightly building would be erected close to the boundary of Thorpe Lodge, a Grade II listed building, because of its importance and beautiful surrounding garden