COUNCILLORS will debate the next steps in the Skipton Development programme in light of the results of the summer consultation next week.

They will consider proposed amendments to the scheme and a new timescale at a special meeting of Craven District Council's performance and resources committee on Tuesday at 7pm.

A report to the meeting makes clear that the council is pursuing a "twin-track" approach in response to the original Skipton renaissance vision published in 2004.

On the one hand, it is pursuing improved use of council-owned facilities in the town (Skipton Developments), but it is also actively involved in facilitating a variety of other projects, including the redevelopment of Skipton's Belle Vue Mills.

The report recommends that a report on the wider renaissance proposals for the future of Skipton - which are led by a wide variety of agencies - is considered at a future meeting.

It also provides updated evidence on the "drivers for change", including:

o Evidence of strong housing need and demand in the town;

o The need to increase both short and long term car parking provision, in tandem with actively managing the impact of car traffic on the town centre;

o The need to enhance shopping opportunities in the town; and

o Improving access to all council services, including those provided by North Yorkshire County Council, through development of the Town Hall.

A minimum set of "non-negotiable" requirements is proposed to clarify on a site-by-site basis what the council is seeking to achieve for the town through the redevelopment of these publicly-owned sites.

The report was deferred from a December meeting in order to include an updated traffic impact assessment from North Yorkshire County Council.

It projects existing (2004) data into 2009 and looks at the potential impact of the reworked proposals. The projection has also takes into account the Belle Vue Mills development.

Following the consultation the town hall proposals remain unchanged, but variations to other schemes have been put forward for debate. These include:

o reducing the scale of development on the Canal Basin;

o increasing the scale and quality of public space at the Canal Basin;

o increasing the amount of public car parking spaces while reducing the level of multi storey car parking on Cavendish Street;

o removing residential accommodation on the town hall site.

Coun Paul English said: "It is now time to drive this process forward. Craven District Council's assets play an integral role in realising the renaissance vision for Skipton.

"The evidence for change is indisputable, housing, accessible council services, car parking and improving retail all need to be addressed. We are committed to evolving the future of the town in a responsible and sympathetic manner which will be of benefit to the whole district."

The committee will be asked to consider the revised proposals and clarify the contents of the scheme so that a draft prospectus can be prepared.