Impasse resolved over Dales’ top country show

An impasse between the guardians of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the organisers of its leading agricultural show has been resolved with an agreement to move a development closer to an “iconic” landmark.

Members of the park authority’s planning committee unanimously approved Upper Wharfedale Agricultural Society’s proposal to consolidate the future of the Kilnsey Show with a modern storage building beside the huge, overhanging limestone Kilnsey Crag cliff.

National park planners had warned the building, about the size of two double decker buses, would have “a truly harmful impact on landscape of this part of Wharfedale”, compromising one of the most important and widely appreciated views in the national park.

However, the meeting heard talks between the society, the park authority and the landowner had seen a deal struck to move the proposed building closer to the crag.  Members heard the building would be visible from the west, but partially screened from other directions and so less prominent in the landscape than the original proposal.

Officers said the site opposite Kilnsey Crag represented “the best compromise”, adding: “From our point of view it’s not ideal, it’s going to have a landscape impact, but we think it’s less of a landscape impact.”

The meeting heard officers had discussed alternative sites to store the show equipment, such as barn on a nearby farm, but that had “not been forthcoming” and that the society faced “some difficulties with the landlord who had their own plans and intentions for their estate”.
Officers said it had been established there was a need for the building and that the show was an important event in the agricultural calendar of the Dales, which contributed significantly to its cultural heritage and economy.

It was emphasised while the authority’s first purpose was to conserve the unique environment, its statutory second purpose was to promote understanding and enjoyment of the area.

An agent for the society said it had “always been acutely aware of the iconic landscape that Kilnsey is”, saying it had contributed to making the show as successful as it is.

He said: “Fantastic backdrop and the acoustics of the commentators bouncing off the crag is a wonder to behold.  “As a society we need to move forward. We have got a dilapidated building that’s been there 50 years and need to have something more modern to ensure the show which has been going for over 125 years will continue for as long as possible.”

Authority member and Wharfedale Councillor Richard Foster said the storage building had to be on the site.  He said: “There would be 100 movements out and then 100 movements in. If you move it off the field that’s about five minutes away it’s 500 minutes, these are volunteers that set the show up.”

Liz Hall, chair of Conistone with Kilnsey Parish Meeting, underlined the importance of the show to the area and the efforts volunteers go to put on the show, describing it as an all-year round operation.  She said: “The village hall probably wouldn’t function without the Kilnsey Show and I know for many clubs and charities it is the biggest earner of the year.”