WORRIED residents have condemned a plan for a new 'biomass' boiler room and chip store put forward by Giggleswick School that they say would dominate the village centre approaches.

The new building – in wood with a metal roof and about the height of a two-storey house – would be an "industrial building in the heart of Giggleswick" and not in keeping with its character, they claim.

Several objections have been made to Craven District Council planners about the scheme, proposed for land off Raines Road, which was submitted at the end of December.

Villager David Blackburne maintained people were concerned because of the size and look of the building, which they felt was not appropriate for the proposed location.

He said: "This scheme is totally unacceptable. At first, we thought a biomass boiler was probably a good thing, but people soon began to realise how big the proposed structure is, and the implications – it's nearly as high as a two-storey house and 20 metres long.

"It's huge and can't be right for that location, in what is after all a conservation area. Other buildings have had to be built in stone and slate.

"There are also implications for pedestrian safety, as we don't know how often lorries would deliver.

"This is essentially an industrial building in the heart of Giggleswick. Also, I don't know of any resident who has been consulted so far."

Several objectors, including Giggleswick Parish Council, have expressed reservations about visual impact, safety and a potential increase in noise from lorries in a residential area.

There are also concerns about the safety of emissions from the biomass burning process, and the lack of information about potential hazards.

The consultation period for the application ends on February 25.

Giggleswick School headteacher Mark Turnbull said: "The issues raised are by people close to Giggleswick who are aware of our sensitive approach to both community and environmental issues.

"Alternative energy technologies are often characterised by intensive debate, and we are keen to work with residents to agree a mutually beneficial outcome.

"Biomass is a sustainable fuel that can deliver a significant reduction in carbon emissions compared with fossil fuels, and this is a forward-looking, environmentally-sensitive project supporting this."