REFURBISHMENT work to convert one of Skipton's most historic buildings into another link in JD Wetherspoon's growing pub empire will begin on September 22.

It has taken more than three years for the pub giants to get planning permission to develop the 18th century Devonshire Hotel on Newmarket Street.

Craven planners finally gave the go-ahead in June and contractors are now ready to go on site next month.

A spokesman for JD Wetherspoon said the overhaul of the pub's interior and the construction of a rear extension were due to be finished in time for the premises to be opened on February 29.

Then it is expected the new pub will start pulling in about £25,000 per week.

The main building work will include creating a new rear extension to accommodate the bar and kitchen and the refurbishment of the existing ground floor.

The decision to house the bar and kitchen in the extension was to limit noise disturbance for neighbouring houses. The architects have concluded that customers will only walk into the extension to buy drinks and then move away into the main body of the building to chat and drink.

The first floor will contain the toilet facilities and the second floor will form the manager's flat.

The new scheme designed by architects Harrison Ince, of Manchester, also includes removing cars from the forecourt, putting in a seating area and altering the front entrance to include a ramp for the disabled.

Over the last three years JD Wetherspoon has twice had planning applications rejected and twice had them withdrawn because local planners did not feel they dealt with the historical building sensitively enough.

But these latest proposals found favour with the local authorities.

Skipton Town Council welcomed the revised plans and was pleased that the firm had employed a conservation architect.

The idea is that the interior refurbishment work will revive as many of the building's original features as possible and put back the original floor plan.

A design proposal report states: "From the outset it is our intention to ensure the building refurbishment allows the existing grade two structure to retain its full integrity.

"With this in mind it is our view that all extension work should be designed in a very contemporary yet sensitive manner to compliment and contrast the existing structure."

The planning permission granted by Craven District Council has since been ratified by the Secretary of State.

JD Wetherspoon has converted between 40 and 50 listed buildings in the past and won numerous awards.

The pub chain has become famous across the country for its cheap drinks, food and music free atmosphere.

A spokesman added: "We are confident that we can convert the Devonshire Hotel in the right way to make it a credit to the town."