A VICTORIAN-style metal staircase which forms part of Craven Court Shopping Centre may be staying in controversial plans to create housing and a further retail unit at the Otley Street side of the development.

In June plans were mooted to remove the spiral staircase to make way for apartments and shops.

On Monday, amended plans are to be determined by Craven District Council's planning committee suggesting the staircase would now stay and with the recommendation from officers that the application be approved.

The proposal, from Vale Real Estate, of Regent Street, London, includes the reconfiguration of the public space and entrance to the shopping centre from Otley Street.

They created an outcry from the public when first lodged with most objectors stating it would alter the nature of that part of Otley Street, adding that further shops were not needed.

Others stated the proposed apartments would be too small with no parking.

The officers' report states: "The proposed moving of planting and metal staircase has been reconsidered throughout the process. Amended plans were submitted which pull the development back from Court Lane by approximately 3.8 metres. This allows more of the public open space to be retained, and the metal staircase will remain in situ."

The report goes on to say the retail unit will measure 922 square metres and will run along the majority of the ground floor with 12 windows looking out onto Otley Street.

To date there is no known end user of the retail unit.

The apartments are described as two one-bed apartments and two with two bedrooms.

Three will be accessed to the west, just off Otley Street, and one accessed to the east, off Otley Street and Court Lane.

Two of them will have south-facing terraces.

To date around 200 representations have been received.

Among them were arguments against the proposals from Skipton Town Council which said the street scene would be damaged and the end result would be over-development.

The town council said the amendments: 'have not sufficiently overcome members' original concerns'.

North Yorkshire Highways said it was concerned about the lack of parking provision but could not sustain an objection because of its town centre location.

The Heritage Officer also suggested the plans be refused through its obstruction of views to a listed warehouse and other historic buildings in the conservation area.

Other representations received state the following reasons that planning permission should not be given.

The development would jeopardise the independent outlets in Otley Street.

It's appearance would spoil the surrounding area.

They will negatively affect people living nearby.

No parking provision was being made for new residents.

No need has been demonstrated for this type of development which would entirely change.

There are not many listed or Georgian buildings in Skipton and what there are should be protected.

It will make Otley Street into a narrow, darker tunnel.

Another protestor cited public safety. They said: "Craven Court encourages pedestrian flow through the town. The proposal would make this area less safe."

Others stated the darker environment the plans could create could encourage anti-social and criminal behaviour.

Another objector added: "The applicant cannot demonstrate that there is a need for additional retail space and the residential addition is better placed elsewhere."

The plans have been referred to the planning committee by Councillor John Dawson due to the 'public interest, loss of open space in the town centre and the proposal's location in a conservation area'.

The application will be discussed at a meeting of the planning committee on Tuesday, November 20.