WORK is underway on a year long £5.6 million conversion into a residential ‘oasis of calm’ of the former Job Centre and tax office in Skipton.

Skipton based Candelisa has started the redevelopment of Cavendish House, off Newmarket Street, to 26 one and two bedroom apartments after getting the go-ahead from Craven District Council last month. It plans to complete the redevelopment by February, next year.

With one side facing onto the bowling green and Waller Hill Beck, the redeveloped Cavendish House will feature floor to ceiling windows, a passenger lift to all floors and external balconies. There will also be 30 dedicated parking spaces, including 19 underground.

Guy Taylor, Candelisa managing director, said: “We are delighted to have commenced work on this exciting scheme which will provide residents with an oasis of calm and tranquillity right in the heart of the town.

“We expect plenty of interest from a range of customers including downsizers and first time buyers who will be attracted by its central location, superb overall specification and imaginative use of space.”

A ‘prior application notification’ by Candelisa for the change of use of Cavendish House was granted in January.

In its decision notice, the council points out that the future homes are surrounded by a mixture of shops, restaurants and cafes and ‘drinking establishments’, and also a bowling green and Waller Hill beck.

It considered there is unlikely to be a significant impact on residents through noise, as neighbouring shops are limited to office hours, and drinking establishments, including Wetherspoons The Devonshire in Newmarket Street are either far enough away or mostly contained inside.

Meanwhile Candelisa, developer of the town’s residential Providence House, where it is also based, has just released the final phase of its Horace Mills scheme in Cononley. The remaining apartments within the former textile mill are one, two and three bedroom with prices starting from £165,000.

Just five of the 53 energy-efficient new build home remain in the ‘Motor Works’ part of the overall development which includes Horace Mills.