FRESH calls are being made for Skipton's Burnside House to be put to community use - as it emerged that nearly £1,700 is being spent every week on its upkeep.

The former children's home was gutted by fire early last year, but it has laid empty for much longer.

In response to questions asked by Skipton county councillor Mike Doyle, North Yorkshire County Council revealed that, up to May, £107,000 had been spent on the building through surveys, making the property safe, providing solid barricades and security.

The council employs a security firm to patrol the building between 10am and 11pm seven days a week at a cost of about £1,600, and pays out another £60 a week to maintain the grounds.

The authority received a £100,000 insurance payout last month and it is expected that the property will be placed on the market by its consultants, Mouchelparkman, within the next month.

Burnside House has been a thorn in the side of many local residents and councillors since it was closed around three years ago.

It soon became a haven for vandals and in February last year arsonists struck and set fire to the listed building destroying the roof and causing serious internal damage.

Following this, residents who previously used the grounds of the house for access were prevented from doing so after county council erected a fence.

Coun Doyle said that he was not surprised by the costs involved in maintaining the building and he wanted to see a solution to the problem.

He said: "The school holidays are upon us and I don't want children to be injured."

Coun Doyle said that the building was a public asset which was a liability, eyesore and problem for the residents living nearby.

Burnside Avenue resident John Manley, whose home is adjacent to the property, said that paying out thousands of pounds on the empty building was a case of "closing the stable door after the horse has bolted."

Mr Manley said youngsters were still going into the home on a fairly regular basis and the security measures employed by the county council were a waste of time as they were there during the day.

He added that he would prefer to see the building used for the benefit of the Burnside community or as an extension of Ashfield residential care home.

District councillor Polly English, who also lives near the former children's home, has contacted the ombudsman after she received no answers from the county council.

She said: "It was a beautiful Victorian house and it has been ruined. It is about time somebody's head rolled for it.

"They have a security van there from 8.30am until 8.30pm then nobody there at night. What a waste of money having someone sat there looking at the house. Who is going to do anything through the day? It's disgusting and it's coming out of our pockets."

A spokesman for the county council said that plans to turn Burnside House into homes had been refused planning permission by Craven District Council and since then the county council had experienced planning, security, restoration and security problems.

He added that the property would be advertised for sale from mid August.