DEVELOPERS are asking local people for their views before putting in a detailed planning application for a new retail and restaurant complex off Skipton High Street and new homes in Granville Street

Housing regeneration specialist Lovell, based in Leeds, and Maple Grove Developments, of Preston, have been selected by Craven District Council as preferred development partner for the Skipton Developments scheme.

Around 200 permanent full- and part-time jobs will be created by the development.

Lovell and Maple Grove Developments hope to be in a position to submit a detailed planning application by September but in the meantime want to obtain the views of local people on the proposals.

A public consultation event is to take place on Thursday July 29, between 10.30am and 7.30pm, at Skipton Town Hall.

It will involve floor plans and artists’ impressions of elevations, and the public will be invited to pass comment by completing response forms available at the event.

The Maple Grove application, designed by Bowman Riley Architects of Skipton, is for two buildings.

No 9 High Street will be demolished and replaced by a two-storey building, which is likely to accommodate restaurant and café uses. Maple Grove is already in discussion with a high-quality national restaurant group and a local café / deli operator.

The land to the rear of the Town Hall will comprise four large retail stores which will front Jerry Croft and the main High Street car park.

The development, which will be largely clad in stone and glass, is to be named Albion Place. Maple Grove reports that advanced negotiations are being held with a number of national retailers who are seeking either representation in Skipton for the first time or are looking to upsize from their existing units in the town.

A spokesman for Maple Grove said: “The scheme will provide an attractive frontage for visitors to Skipton arriving at the High Street car park.

“It offers large retail floor space not currently available in the town centre of Skipton and will help attract shops not already in the town, which in turn will help attract more visitors and shoppers to Skipton town centre.

“The fact that it is in the town centre, not out-of-town, will therefore strengthen the existing shopping centre and help encourage locals to shop in the town rather than driving to the likes of Keighley or Colne to do their main shops.

“The current building at 9, High Street, which was put up in the 1970s and has drawn some criticism, will be replaced.”

Lovell is proposing to redevelop the site of the existing council offices in Granville Street with 60 new stone-built houses and apartments. In a prime location neighbouring Aireville Park, the development will offer 44 two-, three- and four-bedroom family homes and 16 two-bedroom apartments. The majority of the new housing will be for open market sale with 24 homes available for affordable rent and for low-cost home ownership through the Lovell Choice scheme.

“The consultation will include the opportunity to view artist’s impressions and home layouts for the proposed new family homes and apartments,” says Lovell regional director Noel Adams.

“Our aim is to create attractive, high-quality homes in this highly desirable location next to Aireville Park. Both the town centre and train station are only a short walk from the proposed development and there is an excellent choice of local schools nearby.”

Homes will meet Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, the system for assessing the environmental performance of new housing with a range of sustainable and energy-saving features expected to include solar panels.

Council leader Councillor Chris Knowles-Fitton spoke of the great benefits that the development would bring to the town.

“Skipton Developments will bring a real boost in terms of jobs, homes and affordable housing and a better range of shops and I hope as many people as possible will take the time to give their views. Now the Council has agreed the lease on Belle Vue Mills and will be moving into its new accommodation next year, the Granville Street site will be freed for sale as part of the development.

“The fact that Lovell/ Maple Grove are willing to invest in Skipton speaks volumes as a positive step for Craven during these difficult economic times. “

If everything goes to plan, the public consultation on July 29 will be analysed in time for an application to be submitted in September 2010. Approval should allow work to begin in early 2011.