AFTER 28 years in the garage trade Skipton's Ian Driscoll has turned his hand to housing development in the hope that he can transform an "eye-sore" building into a £600,000 housing complex.

The owner of Central Garage on Devonshire Place has submitted plans to demolish the 1950s building, separate garages and parking spaces to make way for a courtyard of six houses and flats.

Mr Driscoll said the motor trade had changed so much it was no longer lucrative. "The role of the small independent garage has changed beyond belief. Cars are a lot more reliable they do not rot like they used to."

Mr Driscoll's garage survived two floods in 1979 and 1982 but he said he was the first to admit the garage had become an eyesore.

Recently Mr Driscoll turned his hand to setting up an internet site, offering training and advice on computer software. Now he has entered the building trade.

"The easiest option would be to sell the land off with planning permission. But I personally want to enhance Skipton and preferred to take on the development myself," he said.

Mr Driscoll added the housing development would reduce the amount of traffic in the Devonshire Place area. Dave Castle, who runs Castle's Motorcycles from part of the building, is looking for new premises.

The housing plans drawn up by Wales, Wales and Rawson are centred around a courtyard theme. There are six houses, with garages underneath, and four flats.

Mr Driscoll said the planned development would be a fitting tribute to his former business partner Tony Altinier and his daughter Leda who had taken on the business with him. "Central Garage was a creation of Tony's," added Mr Driscoll.

The plans were due to go before Skipton Town Council's planning committee on Monday, but were deferred until a later meeting.

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