9:00am Friday 19th March 2010
New developers look set to take over the stalled Belle Vue Mills redevelopment project in Skipton.
Leeds-based property company Rushbond looks set to complete the project with former owner Novo Homes, it has been announced.
And revised plans for the Broughton Road former mill complex – also just conditionally approved – will mean more office space, fewer flats and a change in retail and leisure use.
Craven District Council’s planning committee was told that the new plans would mean no shops at all – including Next – and limited café space.
The council, which is due to move into the redeveloped complex with North Yorkshire County Council in 2011, will now have office space on the ground floor.
In addition, the glass atrium, which was to house Next, is to be replaced with an open space.
Coun John Roberts said that was a shame and that a model should be displayed to show the public what to expect.
“I am conscious we need to engage the public over this. Models and montages should be put on show somewhere for the public. At this stage, we have no idea what it is going to look like,” he said.
Councillors delegated approval to planning officers – subject to some conditions including flooding work – after hearing the developers were anxious to start work.
After the meeting, council chief executive Paul Shevlin said the revised plans would mean more space for both councils on the ground floor.
“We are keen to make the most of this opportunity and effectively use this space to make sure as many public facilities are on the ground floor and fully accessible to residents,” he said.
“In addition to the reception area, this could include the council chamber and wedding facilities, which weren’t possible under the previous plans.”
He said there was still some work to do before the lease could be agreed.
“Both councils hope this can be resolved with Rushbound and we will be able to press ahead with the plans to rationalise existing buildings and jointly move into Belle Vue Mills in 2011, delivering significant efficiency savings for both councils.”
Council leader, Coun Chris Knowles-Fitton, said it was a positive step forward for the council.
“We are working very closely with Rushbond, which is keen to make the development as beneficial for both councils as possible,” he said.
Mike Hartley, development director at Rushbond, said: “Rushbond has an acknowledged skill at sympathetic reuse of major listed buildings and is delighted to be working with Craven and North Yorkshire County Council in completing this stunning redevelopment.”
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