Plan for 140-home estate in Skipton revealed (From Craven Herald)

Amenbury Property Ltd proposing to build homes near North Parade

11:20am Friday 3rd February 2012 in News

A house builder has revealed early plans to build about 140 new homes in Skipton.

The mixed development of houses, flats, apartments and possibly bungalows would be built alongside North Parade.

It would also include a convenience store and, because of the sloping site, many of the homes would have extra- large gardens.

John Gladwyn, development manager of Amenbury Property Ltd, told a meeting of the Greatwood and Horseclose Estate Committee that if everything went to plan, work would start on the first phase in 15 to 18 months’ time.

He hoped to be able to submit an outline planning application to Craven District Council in about three months, and a detailed application before the end of the year.

Mr Gladwyn said he was committed to the project and was as sure as he could be his company would see the project through from beginning to end.

He said he would not be selling off the site to another developer. Access to the site was still being decided, but could be close to the community centre in North Parade. It would have to be sorted before an application was submitted.

Mr Gladwyn said the convenience store, of around 3,500 sq ft, would be the hub of the community and would be the kind of store traditionally operated by the Co-op or Mace.

“I’ve had a good look around the estate and there is nowhere to shop. We believe strongly that there will be a reasonable demand from food operators to run it. We feel it will draw people in and become a community hub.”

Mr Gladwyn said the site had been surveyed and the company was aware of the challenges of its gradient. There was also a parcel of land in the ownership of Craven District Council that the company was looking to make public open space.

If approved, the houses would be built by Keystone Homes and would include a percentage of affordable homes as laid down by the council.

Dave Parker, chief officer of Skipton Town Council, said: “I can confirm that an approach has been received by the council for the purchase of part of the recreation ground on North Parade to provide an access route for a proposed residential development.

“Members of the council will be considering the approach in due course, together with proposals from the developer concerning play provision in the area.”

A spokesman for Craven District Council confirmed the planning department was aware of the proposals.

“This is a developer-led proposal and has nothing to do with the Skipton Developments project.

“The council understands that whilst there are several potential accesses into the site one of them is across land within the ownership of Craven District Council,” said the spokesman.