TRY as it might, the council will find it very hard to spin the result of Skipton Civic Society's referendum on the redevelopment of the town any way other than a crippling blow to the whole project.

There are two surprising statistics to come out of the plan. Firstly is the huge response. The civic society was worried about apathy; it feared that so few would bother to return the forms that it would lack authority.

Its fears were misplaced. Almost 60 per cent is a massive return - many more votes than would be cast in a council election and a return to rival a general election. The Electoral Reform Society itself raised an eyebrow at the response.

The second surprise is the size of the yes vote. Given the concentrated campaign to scupper these plans, there were those who predicted a risible vote in favour of the whole package.

But the big question is how will the council react? It has promised to take into account public opinion but faces ridicule if it tries to demolish the poll.

Councillors would be forgiven if they spat the dummy out and walked away from the whole project, their new council offices excepted. They could go back to much less time consuming if more boring things. Already there is a frustration that they are pilloried for the lack of car parking and affordable housing in the town but when they try to do something about it they are subjected to the personal abuse just below the surface of last Thursday's meeting in the town hall.

Some parts of the Renaissance project have merit and may be rescued, but the latest project put forward by Grimleys is holed below the water line.