Second refusal for affordable flats plan in Skipton (From Craven Herald)

Second refusal for affordable flats plan in Skipton

10:00am Friday 8th March 2013 in News

Plans to build a block of affordable flats in front of a listed former Victorian villa in Carleton Road, Skipton, have been refused.

Cawder Construction’s plans for six two-bedroom apartments in the grounds of Burnside House – now residential apartments – were a resubmission of an earlier application refused by Craven District Council in September. Planning committee members were told the design and layout had been altered and would require the felling of a mature sycamore tree.

James Ellis, agent for Cawder Construction, suggested councillors looked upon the block of flats as a lodge house for the Victorian villa.

He said the flats would help to meet a local need and that they would not destroy the setting of the listed building.

But Councillor Ady Green (Cons) said he could see no change to the former application that had been refused by the committee just five months ago.

Councillor Mark Wheeler (Lib Dem) said he believed there was a need for such affordable homes. He thought Cawder Construc-tion would appeal against a refusal and would be likely to win.

But the majority of the committee agreed that although there was a need for affordable homes in the area, the need did not outweigh the damage that would be caused to the conservation area.