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Exciting times ahead says council leader
Skipton is entering a time of change and exciting growth, says the new leader of Craven District Council.
Political control of the council has just switched to the Conservatives after six years of coalition between Independent and Liberal Democrat members.
Now, back for a second time as leader, Tory councillor Chris Knowles-Fitton is looking ahead to a time of major change for the council and for Craven.
The £7 million redevelopment of Skipton Town Hall, changes to the High Street and the building of hundreds of new houses - all part of the Skipton Developments project - are all likely to happen in the next few years.
The town will also see the completion of the new multi-million pound headquarters of major employer Homeloan Management Ltd (HML) and the council's new offices in a modern development off Gargrave Road.
The development, described by architects Bowman Riley as "unashamedly modern", will hopefully be something the town can be proud of, says Coun Knowles-Fitton.
"This should be Bowman-Riley's flagship. They are a Skipton company and they are the architects, they will be judged on this building," he said.
Earlier this year, the council agreed to go into partnership with the Bradford-based Accent Group for the £70 million Skipton Developments project. It will see the large-scale redevelopment of Skipton Town Hall, the revamp of the Craven Housing building at 9 High Street and new houses at Horse Close and Granville Street.
"We're talking a major rebuild of the town hall and I think when it is over, people will be very happy with it," said Coun Knowles-Fitton.
It has already been suggested the opportunity should be taken to pedestrianise the area behind the town hall and Coun Knowles-Fitton would like to see Skipton High Street closed to traffic eventually.
"This is my own personal view, but I would like to see the High Street pedestrianised. I'd put all the market stalls on the Tarmac and I'd like to see all the stalls uniform, like they are in Ripon," he said.
The Conservatives would like to encourage more people into the town by making car parks pay on exit - a view shared by the Chamber of Trade, which is currently seeking support for a Skipton Business Improvement District (BID).
"Parking is a big issue for the town and we have to make Skipton attractive to visitors," he said.
He would also consider increasing the minimum payment in car parks from 90p to £1. Some drivers already pay £1 as they do not have the correct change.
And another consideration could be the introduction of decked car parking in the town hall car park.
The council has been criticised for not providing enough affordable homes and has been set a target of 250 per annum. But Coun Knowles-Fitton says he is more interested in approving the building of new homes only if there is a demand.
"I shall be arranging a meeting of developers and estate agents because I think there are a lot of unsold homes, especially flats."
He would also like to see a change in Government legislation surrounding the building of new homes in domestic gardens.
Changes to staffing at the council are also on the cards, with the administration considering contract working for some departments where full-time workers are not needed.
"A lot of people think we want to cut staff, but that is not on the agenda, but there are some departments where we will be looking at using more outsiders on contract work."
Coun Knowles-Fitton would like to see Skipton become the kind of place Bettys of Harrogate would want to come. "Skipton is a lovely market town and it has assets that other towns would die for. In time, it would be nice to have Bettys in the High Street," he said.
3:44pm Friday 20th June 2008
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CommentPosted by: Very confused, Skipton on 7:22pm Fri 20 Jun 08
So CDC would like to see a Betty's in Skipton High Street - What about Costa Coffee? They weren't allowed
So CDC would like to see a Betty's in Skipton High Street - What about Costa Coffee? They weren't allowed
Posted by: brenda heaton, skipton on 8:48pm Fri 20 Jun 08
Thinking of putting car parking is maddness.
Thinking of putting car parking is maddness.
Posted by: John, Skipton on 3:38pm Sat 21 Jun 08
There is a big demand for affordable homes for rent and to buy for local people. The houses unsold are not by any leap of the imagination affordable! Also of course the council won't know how manys actually needed, the housing assessment in 2005 was so bad it excluded the one group that desperately needs suitable homes, the disabled. We must have been invisible on the day it was done. Finally could someone please remind the council that disabled people have families too and need family sized disabled housing?
Actually while they're doing that it would be really nice if we had some nice smooth drop curbs too.
There is a big demand for affordable homes for rent and to buy for local people. The houses unsold are not by any leap of the imagination affordable! Also of course the council won't know how manys actually needed, the housing assessment in 2005 was so bad it excluded the one group that desperately needs suitable homes, the disabled. We must have been invisible on the day it was done. Finally could someone please remind the council that disabled people have families too and need family sized disabled housing?
Actually while they're doing that it would be really nice if we had some nice smooth drop curbs too.
Posted by: JEFF, Skitpon on 3:45am Fri 27 Jun 08
Instead of putting the price up why not lower it people pay enough or how about giving local people cheaper options sometimes people live just to far to walk into Skipton and if you need to park for 20 - 30 mins it's a rip off.
Instead of putting the price up why not lower it people pay enough or how about giving local people cheaper options sometimes people live just to far to walk into Skipton and if you need to park for 20 - 30 mins it's a rip off.
Posted by: Shadow, In the fields... on 11:00pm Mon 30 Jun 08
Assets other towns would die for? What would that be? Most charity shops? Most empty shops?
Shadow...
Assets other towns would die for? What would that be? Most charity shops? Most empty shops?
Shadow...
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