SINCE pub group Wetherspoons first expressed their interest in Skipton, they have opened more than 100 pubs across the country. Many of them are in conversions of old, listed buildings - redundant chapels, schools, banks are a favourite target.

And, it has to be said, a jolly good job they have done too.

Somehow Skipton remains a pub too far. Plans for the Devonshire on Newmarket Street seem to be at an impasse and all the while this historic, lovely building deteriorates. Now Wetherspoons suggest they may walk away from the town.

At first the problem was an old staircase, of great historical value said the experts but rather dingy and unremarkable in the eyes of many.

But there does seem to be some impasse between Craven's planning authority and the company. The building is, rightly listed, and the council does need to be sure that any conversion is sympathetic. They have complained of a lack of detail and expressed their surprise that no-one from the company was at the meeting to discuss the application.

There is a duty on the council to ensure that the building does not become a crumbling ruin and alterations can be made but there is an equal duty on the company to ensure that our elected representatives are given full opportunity to scrutinise the plans.

While the wrangle continues, the "Dev" deteriorates.