SKIPTON Town Council is to revisit its agreement with the developer of a planned housing estate after it withdrew its plans to include a shop.

The council is set to receive £535,000 for a strip of land at the access to the proposed development, off North Parade, and has already received a down payment of £10,700.

Outline plans, approved last year, were for 114 homes and a convenience store, as well as an all weather MUGA sports pitch, and adventure trail.

But detailed plans now submitted to Craven District Council have left the shop out, after the developer Keyhaven Homes and Amenbury Property says a marketing campaign resulted in 'no interest' from potential tenants. The number of houses has also been reduced to 110, 22 of which will be affordable.

Councillor David Walsh told the full council that since Keyhaven Homes had changed its original plan, the council should cancel its contract, and the down payment be returned.

He said his fear was that further aspects of the original scheme could end up being omitted.

But Cllr Paul English said the council was in a dilemma and withdrawing from its contract could lead to costs.

"Morally, I think Cllr Walsh is right, but once you agree to selling a piece of land, can you dictate what goes on there?" he said.

He added the council also faced the risk of action being taken by the developer.

"We as the council are also a cold-hearted business trying to get the best for the people we represent," he said.

Councillors at last week's meeting drew back from withdrawing from the contract, but instructed chief officer Dave Parker to seek further legal advice and report back to the next full council meeting.

A spokesman for Amenbury Property said it had approached commercial consultants JLL to approach all convenience store operators and none were interested.

"Unfortunately the demographics in the area do not support such an operation." he said.