The Northern Echo has highlighted how a £500,000 plan to transform a historic bridge and make it more suitable as a busy commuter route has been recommended for approval, against specialist advice.
The Northern Echo writes:
North Yorkshire County Council officers said action is needed to make the 18th century Tanton Bridge Stokesley fit for the demands of the 21st century by widening it, following a series of incidents resulting in road closures and costly repairs. Ahead of the authority’s planning committee considering the scheme, officers have stated in a report that the harm proposed to the grade II listed structure was outweighed by the need for public benefit and highway safety through the widening and repair of the bridge. They added the proposed development would not have a detrimental impact upon the character…
However, both Historic England and The Council for British Archaeology have objected to the proposal… A Historic England spokesman added the scheme would cause ‘substantial harm to the significance’ of the grade II listed building.
