AT a time when parking in Skipton is an absolute nightmare, it is incomprehensible that an offer to find a solution is not greeted with open arms - or at least a lively discussion.

But proposals by Skipton Building Society to end the years of parking misery seem to have been brushed aside by Craven District Council.

The society has offered to help build a multi-storey car park on council land and develop a park and ride scheme to solve its own parking problems at the Bailey as well as bring benefit to the whole town.

However it appears its proposals never got further than meetings with officers.

In a bid to get things moving, SBS chief executive John Goodfellow submitted an application for 78 extra parking spaces at the society's Bailey headquarters. He admits he did not expect to get approval, but he did think it would start a discussion.

Not so. It appears Craven's planning committee was never even told about the meetings - and even suggested talks should be held with SBS. No wonder Mr Goodfellow feels aggrieved.

The last thing the town needs is a repeat of history when Silentnight moved from Skipton to Barnoldswick because the council in 1949 refused to help owner Tom Clarke find bigger premises.

Skipton Building Society is no fly-by- night company but a major community player. It needs to provide extra parking for its own employees and has suggested a solution that would create a new community facility. Surely this kind of investment should be encouraged not overlooked.