Bargain shops such as Poundland or the Factory Shop would add little to the attractiveness of Skipton, it was claimed.

Counsel for Craven District Council Michael Bedford said that the bargain retailers were the type who would be interested in the proposed four new units behind the town hall.

He said in addition to Next, which would relocate from the High Street and Brantano Shoes, the remaining units may suit retailers such as “Poundland, Pound World or the Factory Shop”.

“If there were to be sub-divisions, or the retailers were to take materially more, or less, floorspace than their stated requirements, it may be possible to achieve a better tenant profile for the new units,” he said.

Mr Bedford, in his closing statements at the end of the seven-day inquiry, said the main issue surrounding the appeal proposals was the effect on the viability of the town, particularly in the context of the loss of spaces in the High Street car park, the effect on heritage assets, and the impact on highway safety, particularly on Jerry Croft.

He said the claim by Maple Grove, that shoppers unable to park in the High Street would just look elsewhere to park in the town, ran the risk of driving them away altogether.

“The very real risk must be that they will not repeatedly keep coming to Skipton, trying to find a time and a place where parking is achievable, but will choose to shop elsewhere,” he said.

He added the planned move of coach parking from the car parking to the auction mart had been opposed by coach operators.

“With the main town centre car park being reduced in size by about a quarter, from 440 spaces to 334, it is quite clear that this will be a significant loss of parking for the town centre.”

While accepting there had been no recorded accidents on Jerry Croft, Mr Bedford said the route was a problem for pedestrians.

But he added difficulties in finding a solution arose because pedestrians could not be banned and its closure to traffic would be opposed by the highways authority.

“It is therefore not surprising that the council, having recognised the problem, has not been able to put in place a solution,” he said.

He said if the development was allowed, then it was the opinion of the highways authority that a crossing across the High Street close to the entrance of Jerry Croft should be provided.