A LANDSCAPE expert has expressed concern about the closeness of a planned farming development to the World Heritage site at Fountains Abbey.

The work is planned to serve one of the premier dairy herds in the country.

Jennings Farmers wants to erect a detached agricultural building and slurry pit at Hill House Farm, Fountains, near Ripon.

The project has sparked concern from a countryside officer at possible spillage of muck generated by the site running to a nearby woodland and a water course.

A planning application will be heard about the project by members of Harrogate Borough Council on Tuesday.

The site is also within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is on the south side of the River Skell, which flows through the heritage site.

The application has been backed by letters from Arla Foods and by the applicant's veterinary surgeons, who consider existing accommodation unfit for purpose.

Planning officer Mike Warden says the development would involve accommodation for 200 cows.

Dealing with the World Heritage site at Fountains, Mr Warden says there is not only a large woodland between the site and the steading, but also a hill preventing a visual link between the proposed building and the heritage area.

Answering concerns about possible spillage, Mr Warden's report says there is always some risk. But there is already an above ground slurry store on site.

Mr Warden adds it should be noted that the applicant has already built a small bund below the buildings as a secondary protection from spillage into the water course from an existing dirty water collection system.

The officer says the building is to serve one of the premier dairy herds in the country. Because of this, the building has been specifically designed to provide one of the best environments achievable for accommodating dairy cows to minimise an inherent genetic defect in the feet of modern Holstein Friesian cattle.

Recommending approval, Mr Warden says given its discreet location, the building "will not be intrusive in the landscape and will not detract from the World Heritage site, north of the River Skell."