CONTROVERSIAL plans for a log cabin at Cawthorne children's centre have been approved, despite objections from residents and two ward coiuncillors.
The application was recommended for refusal but at a meeting on March 4 the planning regulatory board did a U-turn.
Residents expressed concerns over the log cabin saying it is a smokescreen for expansion, will lead to an increase in traffic and have a detrimental impact on the village.
At the planning meeting Coun Margaret Bruff said the application had to be considered as the situation is now, and not make a decision based on what could happen in the future.
Christine Sowerby, manager of the centre, told the planning board she fully understood residents' concerns about traffic.
She added: "We want to be part of the community and we would like to ease that disturbance when we can.
"I have carefully put together a planning application that ensures the number of children we are registered for will not increase.
"At the moment we have 55 and legally we cannot exceed 62 at any one time.
"This precaution means the impact on the highways and local residents will not change."
