A GRADE II listed barn, said by former Environment Secretary Mr John Prescott to have special architectural or historic merit, cannot be linked to a home development, say planners.

Ripon area councillors backed a recommendation for refusal by Harrogate Borough Council planning officer Mr Mike Warden.

The site, at the junction of Longswales Lane and Main Street, Kirkby Malzeard, includes a stone barn and a small garth behind the barn.

The application was for a two-storey house within the garth, linked to the barn by a single-storey extension including a garage and store. The barn would have been retained as an unaltered workroom.

An agent supporting the application said it did not involve alteration to the barn. "Traffic approaching from the north will be at walking pace due to the width and visibility immediately before the existing access."

He added that the design incorporated local materials, reflected local features and avoided overlooking. It would provide much-needed housing in the centre of Kirkby Malzeard.

The parish council had no objection but expressed concern about visibility. "Councillors realise that this application uses an existing access, but this has not been used regularly for some years," it said.

One resident claimed the proposal would re-activate the access "at a far more dangerous position than that of the previous planning application."

Another claimed access had been limited to pedestrians for a long time.

Objectors feared an increased risk of accidents and did not believe the listed barn should be linked to development.

Mr Warden, recommending refusal, said clear visibility of 45m could not be achieved in a northerly direction. Because of this, traffic generated by the development would be likely to create conditions prejudicial to road safety.

He said the home would obstruct access for large vehicles and development would have an adverse effect on the setting of the listed building and be contrary to the district local plan.