PLANS for an extension to a Yorkshire Dales hotel have come under fire from national park planning officers.

The owners of the Kearton Country Hotel, in Thwaite, Swaledale, have applied for planning permission to rebuild an existing extension and build a new dining room on the back of the property.

Ian Danton, who has run the hotel with his wife, Jackie, for 25 years, says the development would create five jobs for local people.

But officers from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority say the work would be out of character with surrounding buildings and the wider landscape.

Mr Danton said: "Our son, Leigh, wants to expand the business and take it forward.

"There's another young lad from Gunnerside who wants to become a chef.

"The extension will help to keep young people in the dale.

"There's never been any objections at all, except from the planning officers who have said no way."

The application is supported by the local parish council.

North Yorkshire County Councillor John Blackie has stressed that the application is important to the local community in light of the closure of nearby Keld Youth Hostel.

But planning officer Rachel Whaley said in a report to members that the new development would not be sympathetic with its surroundings.

She said: "Officers' advice is that, in this instance, the creation of additional jobs would not carry sufficient weight to outweigh the serious policy objections to the design of the proposed development and the resultant harm on the character of both Thwaite Conservation Area and the surrounding landscape within the Barns and Walls Conservation area.

"The proposed extension and alterations would disrupt the visual harmony and the character of the surrounding area, by virtue of their scale, form and design.

"And also, the use of materials are not appropriate to the local character and distinctiveness of the surrounding buildings and wider landscape."

Planning officers say the extension would be visible from both roads and public footpaths.

They are recommending the application is rejected when members meet next Tuesday.