AN international company, with northern headquarters near Skipton, has threatened to move away from the town after planners refused its application for offices in Water Street.

Jeff Dodd, managing director of Refined Ingredients Limited, told Craven District Council's planning committee on Monday that its decision was ridiculous and the town would suffer the consequences.

Mr Dodd explained his business was a sales, marketing and distribution company, dealing with essential oils, which moved from Bradford to Craven four years ago. It is currently based at Broughton Hall Business Park.

He said: "We employ 17 people and we have a policy to look for local employees and run a work experience programme. We need the office to house four more people.

"We would very much like to stay in Skipton. It is a good place to be, but we have had major problems trying to find suitable accommodation.

"If we can't have this site the board's decision is very unsavoury. If we can't find any more suitable premises, we have no alternative but to close down our northern operation which is based in Skipton and move elsewhere to enable our business to expand."

He added: "I can assure the committee there is no intention to alter the property significantly. I would challenge anyone to be able to distinguish whether it be a dwelling or an office should we take it over."

The company had applied for change of use of 12 Water Street from a dwelling into offices.

The row of terraces, which lie in the conservation area of the town, has been a source of contention for the planning committee.

A plan was submitted to turn 14A into solicitor's offices in May 2000. The planners' refusal of the plan went to appeal but was reinforced by the inspector's decision.

The change of use still took place and in December 2000 enforcement action was authorised.

Planning officer Roger France told members that the situation was so similar, they should make their decision along the same lines.

Water Street consists predominantly of houses, with the exception of an accountant's office at number six, and the unauthorised solicitor's office.

Both Skipton Town Council and the Civic Society had objected to the plans, arguing the move would result in a loss of living accommodation in the town.

Committee chairman Marcia Turner, said: "We have fought very long and hard in Skipton to have a good mixture of residential houses and business. This is one of the last little bits which are left as residences."

Coun David Ireton added: "It is sad to hear there could be a possibility of losing a good business in the town but I don't think that can outweigh what we have been told about this area."

But some members felt that office use of the properties was better than unused dwellings.

Coun Stephen Butcher said: "14A has been used as a solicitor's office for the last 18 months and I defy anyone to go along that street and tell me there is any difference from the outside.

"If people decide they no longer wish to live in a domestic dwelling because of the noise of continual traffic or lack of car parking why should they be stopped from selling their houses to a business?

"It is knocking our heads against a brick wall expecting people to live there."

The plans were refused on the grounds that the change of use would be harmful to the special character of that part of the town.