Craven House in Sutton is to have building alterations removed in an attempt to restore it to its former state. Ilkley architect Ralph Stocks, who specialises in listed buildings, has been called in to assist planners and builders working on the listed building to help improve its present appearance.

Mr Stocks became involved with the project following a planning application for a newly-erected door on the Sutton High Street building. The application was turned down by Craven council and more details requested. The door was put up on the gable end of the empty dwelling earlier this year, but without listed building consent. It replaced a Victorian window.

At Monday's Sutton parish council meeting, Mr Stocks explained that the door had been put in 'quite wrongly' and that immediate action was needed to restore the building to its original state. He added: "People have a right to be upset because they definitely jumped the gun here. The work the developers have done is pretty poor and the door is not very good. All in all it's pretty dire.

"They moved things around which got them into trouble with the building inspector. They were told a further opening was needed on the building which was why the door was put in. It went all wrong because they put the door in before the inspector had revisited the site. In my view, the damage has already been done and it's going to be very difficult to change it, but we must get rid of that awful door."

Mr Stocks showed drawings and photos of Craven House to members and listed a number of alterations he would carry out including darkening the stone and taking out the pointing.

Stones engraved with tbe words 'Sutton-in-Craven. Year 2000' are to be placed at various altitudes around the village to celebrate the millennium.

Bins have been requested for the Clough area as people have been depositing dog faeces in plastic bags on residents' walls and on doorsteps.

Members also asked for the footpaths near Sutton Park to be resurfaced as residents' were tripping and falling.

Complaints were put forward by members about the lack of consultation over the recent proposal by North Yorkshire police to possibly move the control centre at Skipton police station to Richmond, Harrogate or even Northallerton. Cllr Steve Place expressed his concern over the future of Cross Hills police station and the attendance time for police calls in South Craven. Members decided to write to the Home Office and the chair of North Yorkshire Police Authority.

A petition has also been launched by the village committee for the retention of existing police services at Skipton and more clarification about what is going to happen. They are against the proposed loss of its control centre.

A private meeting with parish councillors from Sutton and Glusburn is to be held on September 29 at South Craven School to discuss the layout of the proposed Cross Hills station and the bridging of the level crossing with representatives from Railtrack.

Insurance is to be taken out for volunteers working on the refurbishment of Sutton Park in case of any accidents. A suggested limit of £200 was agreed and anyone not insured would, in future, not be allowed to continue working.

A complaint about the park's paddling pool not being filled over the recent bank holiday weekend was brought to the attention of members.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.