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Emmerdale tours given the go-ahead

Plans to allow visitor tours on the set of Emmerdale, which is located in the heart of the Harewood estate between Harrogate and Leeds, have been given the go-ahead by Leeds planning chiefs.

There had been a number of objections from locals in the Harewood area, with many fearing it would massively increase traffic flow, as well as encroaching on Green Belt land.

However Leeds City Council’s North and East plans panel has approved the tours.

The council heard that the attraction - which will operate coach tours at weekends when filming is not taking place - will boost the local economy but also bring added “kudos” for the city.

The backing from councillors was not universal. Coun Graham Latty said: “If somebody wanted to drive buses across my ward…they’d have a heck of a job getting it through”.

However panel chairman Neil Walshaw pointed out “it’s not’Emmerdale World’ - it’s two buses an hour”.

And Coun Stuart McKenna added: “We should be passing this with flying colours.”

He joked that security during the tours - which could start next month - should be enhanced, and bad-boy character Robert Sugden “should be kept away from visitors”.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Beaumont .