The following planning applications were dealt with by Harrogate Borough Council recently:

* A housing developer has been refused planning permission to extend a new estate in a Ripon village. Yorvik Homes Limited wanted outline permission to erect four homes with garaging on the Watermill Estate, North Stainley.

But planning officers at Harrogate Borough Council turned down the application, saying it was premature and contrary to phasing of the overall scheme.

* Conversion of a barn into a home at Low Mains, Masham, near Ripon, has been given the final go-ahead. A bid to erect a replacement agricultural building on Warren House Farm, Galphay, near Ripon, has been rejected by planning officers.

They said that not enough justification has been provided by the applicant, Mr RA Sturdy, to show the building was necessary for agriculture within the farm holding.

Because of that Harrogate Borough Council considered the development would be "an unnecessary visual intrusion".

* Building a garage beyond a domestic curtilage in a prominent location would represent a considerable threat to the open appearance of the countryside, ruled Harrogate Borough Council.

It refused an application by N Wilson for Quarry House, Hutts Lane, Grewelthorpe, near Ripon, adding development would impact on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and be at odds with four borough council planning policies.

* A scheme to re-align and improve a farm access track at Brackendridge, Lofthouse, near Pateley Bridge, has been refused. Planning officers said the change would harm the character of the area's natural beauty and the setting of a listed building. The plan would also conflict with six planning policies.