A former company headquarters in the centre of Skipton looks set to be converted into residential apartments.

Providence House, formerly the offices of Homeloan Management Ltd (HML) has been empty since the company re-located to the edge of town more than three years ago.

Now, the company is taking advantage of a recent change in permitted development regulations which allows the change of use of offices to residential without a formal, full blown planning application to Craven District Council.

A prior approval notification to the council says the proposed residential use of the building would create fewer traffic movements when it was used as offices.

Each of the apartments – which would be located on the first, second, third and fourth floors – would include a dedicated parking space.