A SCHEME to build 34 new homes on derelict industrial land in Skipton has come up against opposition from planning chiefs.

Craven District Council planning officers have recommended refusal for the scheme to convert a 19th century warehouse into 12 flats and build 22 houses at Robert Fell's Works, on Keighley Road.

The plan comes just two months after a scheme to build 51 homes at the adjacent Union Mills complex, at Lower and Upper Union Street, was met with unaminous approval by committee members.

This latest housing scheme proposes to build on a site within the Skipton South Conservation Area, comprising premises previously occupied by Robert Fell and Sons, the plumbers merchants, and Craven Lead Works before that. The site also includes the former Parochial Church Hall.

If the application goes ahead, the main 19th century multi-storey warehouse, which is part of the old lead works and has been listed as a grade II building of special architectural or historical interest, would be converted into 10 two bedroomed and two one bedroomed flats.

Other buildings on the site, including the church hall, would have to be demolished to make way for the 22 houses, 10 of which would be three-storey two bedroomed houses, nine three-storey three bedroomed houses and three two storey two bedroomed houses.

This latest housing scheme has raised scepticism from a number of bodies, including Skipton Town Council, the Civic Society and English Heritage. Concern expressed by these groups resulted in original proposals by the applicant for 12 flats and 24 houses to be amended to 22 houses.

A spokesman for the town council wrote to the planning committee saying: "This development, together with the planned Union Mills complex, will result in 100 new dwellings, possibly generating movement of 200 extra vehicles."

It was also pointed out that the present exit into Keighley Road was inadequate for the existing terraced houses.

Meanwhile, the owner of Eastwood's Fish Restaurant, on Keighley Road, said he was concerned the scheme would adversely affect his business, claiming the building work would cause disruption and that the development would lead to a loss of light. He added that future residents of the new homes might also complain about smells, noise from customers and the neon signs connected with his business.

In a report which will go before the planning committee on Monday, council planning officers state that although the scheme falls within the development limits of Skipton and does not conflict with national planning policy, it should be refused.

Letters from organisations such as the Civic Society stress the importance of the grade II listed warehouse and the need for the new development to complement this building, along with the "warehousing industrial background of the canal".

The planning report added: "The representations from the Civic Society, and others, have highlighted the weaknesses of the present scheme. In particular, that the high density of the new development, and the relationship of the new houses to the retained building, is detrimental to the setting of the listed building, and is out of character with the exisiting pattern of development adjacent to the canal."

Members of the planning committee are due to decide the fate of the scheme on Monday.

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