Councillors have agreed a £25,000 feasibility study into redevelopment opportunities after a survey of Craven District Council buildings revealed they are not up to scratch.

Local architects Bowman Riley completed an assessment of Council assets and presented members with a dim picture of the safety of all buildings and offices it surveyed.

It was estimated that to meet health and safety requirements the Council would need to spend £3,508,000 over the next five years to cover repairs and routine maintenance costs at Skipton Town Hall, 9 High Street, Skipton -- the former health centre - the town's Granville Street offices and Settle Town Hall.

Philip Bright, of Bowman Riley, said all the buildings surveyed failed to meet fire precaution standards, access for the disabled and general maintenance levels.

The structural frame and the cladding panels at the Granville Street offices needed urgent attention. Water penetration on the main structure needed sorting out, and in the basement a number of air vents were found to be puncturing the protection walls.

The survey on 9 High Street concluded that all the roof materials would need replacing over the next ten to 15 years.

Skipton Town Hall was not surveyed but councillors said themselves that it was outdated. Councillor Peter Walbank said: "We have to be concerned about office accommodation in Skipton Town Hall - it is Dickensian. Granville Street is cramped and something has to be done."

Several recommendations were put to councillors, and members agreed to fund a £25,000 full feasibility study into redevelopment.

Councillor Robert Heseltine said: "I am pleased that Craven District Council is seriously addressing the office issue."

The study will look at adopting a single office site to replace all three Skipton offices at a cost of £4,355,000, including the possibilities of building a one stop public caller office somewhere in the town centre.

It will also take into account Craven's cultural requirements. The civic importance of the town hall means it cannot be sold and would be the obvious choice for an arts centre.

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