RESIDENTS in Skipton are fiercely objecting to development plans which they claim will destroy their homes.

Nigel Pearson, of Bay Horse Yard is leading the protest against the 12,500 square feet office block which has been proposed just metres outside his front door.

The application has been put forward by Craven Voluntary Action as a one-stop resource centre to house many voluntary groups and charitable bodies under one roof.

Planning permission has been requested to build the two storey building on the former Craven Herald print works.

Mr Pearson said: "We have seen the plans and we are horrified. The building is nothing short of a monstrosity. The actual building itself is enormous - it dwarfs everything on the yard."

Mr Pearson said he and the residents were genuinely frightened at what would happen to their homes if planning permission was granted as they would look out of their doors and windows onto a 30 feet concrete wall.

He said that because Skipton Building Society had bought the land on behalf of the CVA everyone was worried that the large institution backing the proposals could sway any planning decision.

The plans for the building show at least nine offices, meeting and interview rooms, hot desks for those just wanting to borrow office equipment temporarily and parking space for minibuses and storage.

Mr Pearson said that no matter how much the CVA claimed the centre would not increase traffic into the yard it was inevitable.

He said the centre would be visited by commercial vehicles, which he could not see being able to turn around in the small space, and would increase illegal parking by visitors using the resources.

"The only access route is along Canal Street and that is a single track road with no formal passing places. Residents have campaigned before this to put traffic calming measures there."

Mr Pearson pointed out that not only would the office windows look down into the bedroom windows of the houses on Bay Horse Yard, reducing their privacy, but that the tiny house on the opposite side of the yard would be totally boxed in.

He was also concerned that the building would blight the frequently photographed view from the canal bridge along Canal Street.

"It is bordering a conservation area and the Yorkshire canal yard is a jewel in the crown. Are we willing to sacrifice that?" he said.

Mr Pearson said he was not against the idea behind the scheme but said he was willing to defend the criticism of 'not in our back yard.'

"These are our homes and we are fiercely proud of them - no one would want to look out onto it. This is a totally residential area, apart from the pub, and we are talking about situating a 12,500 sq ft office block slap bang in the middle of it.

"If this is such a good idea and the local authority is behind it then it falls to the local authority to find them an appropriate site."

The residents have already collected signatures on a petition and have written to local MP David Curry and MEP David Bowe to get them to support their cause.

They are in the process of collecting their objections to send to Craven District Council before the issue comes up at the planning committee.