A COMMUNITY-led housing scheme has won permission to convert a village centre property into three affordable homes for rent.

The Askrigg Foundation charity has secured permission from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority after members of its planning committee unanimously voted in favour of the plan.

Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Member, Yvonne Peacock, said: “This is perfect because it’s going to be for rent forever; there’s a need for that sort of property in the village. And there’s still going to be the opportunity for the business side, with the shop and the parish office.

“I think the Foundation have done a wonderful job bringing this application forward. Community-led housing is something you will hear more and more of; this is the sort of thing we need to see more of.”

The Askrigg Foundation development becomes the third community-led housing scheme in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. A three-home scheme was completed in Hudswell last year, while a four-home scheme in Arkengarthdale received planning permission in November.

Also at Planning Committee, four traditional barns were given permission to be either turned into local occupancy dwellings or holiday lets. It brings to nearly 110 the number of barn conversion approvals since a new more flexible policy was given weight in late 2015, against eight refusals.

Permission was also granted for Dodds Hall Barn, off Beggarman’s Road near Gayle in Upper Wensleydale, to be converted into a ‘horse-assisted education centre’.

For further details visit www.yorkshiredales.org.uk