Plans to replace a controversial 1970s building on a heritage high street have been unveiled.

The project to demolish a two-storey building at 9 High Street, Skipton, and build a restaurant or cafe is part of a multi-million pound plan to transform the area. It also includes a glass and stone building housing shops at the rear of the 19th century Town Hall, a listed building, to be called Albion Place.

The public will get a chance to see the plans at Skipton Town Hall from 10.30am to 7.30pm on Thursday, July 29.

They have been designed by Skipton architects Bowman Riley, also responsible for the new Homeloan Management Ltd building in Gargrave Road.

And also on show for the first time will be housing plans for the soon-to-be vacated offices of Craven District Council in Granville Street, Skipton. It is hoped that planning applications will be submitted in September and, if approved, work could start early next year.

Craven District Councillor Paul English (Lib Dem, Skipton West) said he welcomed the plan but was disappointed it had taken eight years after the launch of Skipton as a Renaissance Town.

He said: “We set off in 2002 with so many aspirations about housing, parking, retail development and refurbishment of the Grade I listed town hall.

“We have been left with just this which I believe broadly is second best. However, if we can’t attract top-class retailers to this site which is next to a Grade I listed building, is near the castle and historic church and on the UK High Street of the year, there is something wrong.”

Councillor Christopher Harbron (Con, Skipton East) said: “Demolishing that ugly building plonked on the end of High Street I welcome, but what it’s replaced with is the big question.”

The Granville Street scheme will see 60 new houses and apartments built on the site of the demolished offices bordering Aireville Park.

A spokesman for developers, Maple Grove, said that the new shops behind the town hall would provide an attractive frontage for visitors arriving at the High Street car park.

Council leader Councillor Chris Knowles-Fitton, said the development would bring great benefits to the town.