INGLETON is set to get an updated Co-op store and petrol station after proposals to redevelop an edge of the village site was given planning approval.

Craven District Council's planning committee was told the Co-op looked forward to improving the Three Peaks Filling Station, on New Road, and bringing new jobs and investment into the village.

But although the scheme was welcomed, some councillors thought it a missed opportunity in terms of providing toilet facilities and a pedestrian crossing across the A65.

Ward councillor Carl Lis said the application had his support and a representative of the Co-op had been to a meeting of the parish council to allay concerns, such as the continued existence of the Co-op in the centre of the village.

But he added he would like to see a barrier at the site, to deter late night anti-social behaviour and also signs directing people to the closest public toilets, as there had been incidents of people stopping at the site and urinating against a back wall.

There was an expectation that toilets were provided at petrol stations, and if that could not be done, signs ought to be put up, he said.

"I am supportive of this, but it is an opportunity to put some of the wrongs right," he said.

He added highways safety in the area was a massive issue but was the responsibility of the highways authority, and not the Co-op.

"The parish council has written to the county council on numerous occasions about it, but the feedback has always been there is no history of fatalities. The feeling of the parish council is that it is a matter of time before there is," he said.

Cllr Lis said the parish council would continue to press for improvements to highways safety at both ends of the village.

Councillors were told the site, which includes a bungalow, which has recently become empty, would be redeveloped. The existing kiosk will be demolished, along with the bungalow and replaced with a modern, two-storey building with retail on the ground floor and offices on the first floor.

The current four petrol pumps will be replaced with three modern and more efficient ones and there will be changes to the car parking and access.

Access to the caravan park behind the premises will be maintained.

The committee was told it could not insist on toilet facilities, but agreed to put an 'informative' on the planning permission to include signs indicating the location of the nearest toilets.