Controversial redevelopment plans for part of Skipton High Street have been thrown out.
Councillors at Craven District Council’s planning meeting described the shops and cafe scheme as resembling a “prison” and a “pump room”. They added that the proposals, which would also have taken up more than 100 car parking spaces behind the town hall, would have a disastrous impact on the vitality of the town.
It was also claimed that the application had been rushed to committee. The council, which owns both sites, was keen to complete the sale – believed to be worth about £850,000 and dependent on planning consent – before the end of the year.
But the scheme, which was recommended for approval by officers, was rejected by every committee member except the chairman, Coun Richard Welch (Con) – despite frequent warnings that it would be difficult to fight an appeal without sound planning reasons.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article