HISTORIC cobbles in the heart of Settle are about to be restored thanks to the work of Craven District Council. Residents of Bishopdale Court in the Yorkshire Dales market town have campaigned for years to find an authority to take on responsibility for repairing and maintaining the area.

...it looks like we will soon be able to go ahead, and when the renovation work is complete, the Court will be much enhanced as an amenity for both residents and visitors to Settle

Jonathan Kerr - Strategic Director of Community Services

Earlier this year, Craven District Council agreed to secure funding for the restoration of the cobbles, manage the delivery of the renovation work and ensure that an arrangement for future maintenance was put in place. Funding for the renovation project has now been secured from NYCC Heritage and Environment; the Renaissance Market Towns Rural Target Fund and the North Yorkshire Aggregates Grants scheme.

Consultations with residents, planners and heritage conservation specialists have taken place and a design agreed which whilst recognising the historic nature of the cobbled court, also provides a more practical flagged walking route. NYCC Highways have agreed to take responsibility for the flagged through-route and discussions are ongoing with Settle Town Council about taking over responsibility for the future maintenance of the cobbles.

The go ahead for the work will be given as soon as agreement is reached on the outstanding maintenance issues.

Jonathan Kerr, Strategic Director of Community Services said: “There has been a fairly lengthy consultation process on this project to ensure everyone is in agreement with the proposals. Finally it looks like we will soon be able to go ahead, and when the renovation work is complete, the Court will be much enhanced as an amenity for both residents and visitors to Settle”

Cllr Whaites, District Ward Member for Settle, and Town Councillor said “I am delighted that the District Council has made so much progress with this. Many tourists and visitors wander through the Court and the bad state of repair of the cobbles has become a serious hazard to pedestrians. I hope agreement will soon be reached with the Town Council over the maintenance of the cobbles, so the work to restore the historic character of the Court can finally begin.”