A ONE-stop-shop resource centre, which could be built in Bay Horse Yard, Skipton, has been described as "architectural vandalism" by residents.

Plans to build the £1 million two-storey office block, which will provide accommodation for local voluntary groups, have sparked fierce opposition from residents in Bay Horse Yard for the second time.

Original plans were withdrawn in September last year after public pressure but Craven Voluntary Action has submitted revised plans.

Resident Nigel Pearson said the new plans had done little to address their concerns. He said the floor space of the building had only been reduced by six per cent and the design was still out of keeping with the surrounding residential dwellings.

He said: "We are talking about putting a two storey, 11,000 square feet building in the middle of a conservation area. This is a major town centre development which has an enormous potential to blight the lives of people living here for a long time."

Mr Pearson, who has considered moving out of the area, said the size of the office block would overshadow the cottages in the Yard. He added that although some windows had been removed in the new plans so they did not look into the cottages, they had been moved to the elevation, which overlooks properties on Back O' the Beck.

Residents are also con-cerned that access to the centre would be along single track Canal Street where there were no passing places and no parking facilities.

Resident Stuart Procter said: "How they can think that a building of this size would not need any regular service vehicles is beyond me; if this were true then the building would very soon become dirty, in a state of disrepair and would also have to cease operating once they ran out of paper, canteen supplies and hygiene products."

"This is a business designed to attract people, and they will endeavour to drive and park as close to it as as they possibly can," said Mr Pearson.

"We are going to fight this to the death, we are not going to roll over and let it go through. We have now had to face this uncertainty twice. It is causing genuine distress."

Mr Pearson also pointed out that contrary to reports that residents would be consulted on any revised plans no-one had heard anything from the CVA. "This shows complete disregard for the well being of this community," he said.