THERE are some significant changes to the plans put forward last year as part of the Renaissance Market Towns project but the council still aims to build a multi-storey car park in Sackville Street. However it has abandoned plans for a "multi service unit" on Coach Street car park.

The council claims that after the work is completed there will be a net increase of almost 400 car parking spaces on the Coach Street, Cavendish and Town Hall car parks.

A second consultation exercise on developing the council assets opens this Sunday in the Town Hall (11am-5pm), and on Monday (10am-8pm) and Tuesday (9am-12noon).

Key points of the plans are:

o Demolition of ugly 1960s building at 9 High Street

o Development of the Town Hall to house a new library and provide council services

o Housing and shops (several small units above around an 'anchor store') above three decks of car parks on the Town Hall car park

o Seven storey long stay car park on Cavendish Street

o Three decks of short stay car park with housing on top on Gargrave Road end of Coach Street car park

o Development of Canal Basin with open area housing, restaurants and a new footbridge over the canal

o Existing council offices on Granville Street sold off for housing

o New council headquarters on outskirts of town

The new proposals are set out in more detail below. They incorporate updates made as a direct result of feedback at the first consultation exercise in November last year. The comments are those of the council.

Skipton Town Hall

While regarded as a jewel in Skipton's crown, many believe the Town Hall is in need of major investment and is not currently being used to its maximum potential.

A major refurbishment of the Town Hall is planned, with new buildings to replace 9 High Street, a customer service centre enabling access to the district and county council services and a new civic courtyard.

The proposals could include a museum and gallery, library, tourist information service, Registry Office which together would create a leading edge facility for the whole of Craven.

Skipton Town Hall Car Park and Jerry Croft

Improved and revised retail units have been incorporated together with three levels of quality residential development and decked car parking, three decks of public car parking and one level of residential parking.

There would be a new coach drop off point and it is proposed to make Jerry Croft pedestrian priority.

Improving and increasing the range of retailers on offer in Skipton will expand the High Street and give residents and visitors the chance to shop more extensively in Skipton rather than having to travel further a field.

Extensive short stay car parking will be retained with the potential of more than 1,200 cars to park throughout the day.

Coach Street

THE updated scheme concentrates on residential housing and enhanced short stay car parking.

The council has listened to public concerns over building new council offices on the site and has taken the decision to site new office accommodation on an edge of town site to reduce congestion in the town centre, whilst enhancing the facilities at the Town Hall.

Two levels of quality residential development is proposed above three decks of multi storey car parking.

Parking would be restricted to short stay only which would give the potential for more than 1,000 cars per day to park, improving the potential of shopping areas outside the high street and drawing more people to the Coach Street area.

Canal Basin

THE scheme now focuses on quality residential development, incorporating residential parking with additional retail units to expand the Coach Street shopping area.

The public space is to be improved, enhancing the attractive waterfront and invigorating a beautiful corner of Skipton.

Cavendish Street

THE proposal remains the same as before - a seven deck multi storey car park. The height of this is estimated to be 18.2 metres which is comparable to the four storey building at Belle Vue Mills. This would provide increased parking with the potential to provide 800 car parking spaces per day and enable the other town centre car parks to be short stay only.

The proposed multi storey would be a high quality construction using materials, such as stone or artificial stone facing, that are sympathetic to its surroundings.

Cavendish Street is well positioned and within easy reach of the town and it is also proposed that the existing footbridge over the canal is developed in conjunction with British Waterways to make it more easily accessible, especially for disabled people. Combining the development of Cavendish Street Car Park with improved car park signing will reduce traffic impact from the proposal.

Granville Street and council offices

Quality residential development on the edge of Aireville Park to help meet the housing demand in Skipton. This site has been identified as the most suitable for residential development.

Craven District Council has a need to replace its own main offices which have significant and major structural problems.

Current estimates give only five more years of operational life. The Town Hall is not suitable to house all Craven District Council functions and so new offices are still needed to replace those on Granville Street for the majority of the council functions.

An edge of town office will reduce congestion in the town centre and should provide necessary new accommodation at no additional cost to the tax payer.

Two sites have been put forward for consideration. One on Gargrave Road and the other at the proposed South Skipton Employment Site (editor's note: these two sites are opposite the entrance to the auction mart and off the bypass, near Waltonwray cemetery). Both sites could be considered as a potential site for additional long stay car parking and coach layover.

Affordable Housing

THE council is committed to ensuring an adequate supply of affordable housing is developed within the district to meet local housing needs.

The proposals for developments in Skipton aim to identify 40 per cent of all residential development for local needs affordable housing. Current proposals include a significant increase in housing stock across the various sites.

A large proportion of affordable housing could be accommodated on a site in Skipton between Horse Close Estate and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.

Although the site was not considered during the original proposals, the council has already agreed in principle that it should be developed for housing.

It is now proposed that this site should be developed within the council's Skipton Development Programme to increase the availability of affordable housing and ensure the programme remains financially viable.