Town greenfield site may play host to new industrial park

The local authority wants to change the use of the greenfield site between Carleton Road and Engine Shed Lane, on the outskirts of Skipton, to employment land.

A proposed masterplan looks to provide 13.35 hectares of new employment land, with the potential to support in the region of 1,100 jobs, says the council.

It is hoped it would attract new businesses and allow for existing businesses to expand and prosper.

Craven Council leader Chris Knowles-Fitton said: “The provision of land for employment is vital, ensuring that the district has a balanced economy, and is able to meet its own employment needs.

“The allocation of this site will enable the district to retain local businesses, businesses that have been started by local people and which provide jobs for local people.

“Without new land being made available, these businesses will be forced to move to other parts of the region to grow.”

The proposal is for a development with a mix of employment uses, including light industrial, research and development, warehousing and storage.

The part of the site prone to flooding would remain open; however the council says it will continue to work alongside the Environment Agency to investigate flood mitigation measures.

Part of the proposal includes a new junction from the A629 by-pass.

The proposal is for this access road to connect with Engine Shed Lane to help reduce traffic flows in the town centre.

The plan also proposes the upgrading of Engine Shed Lane, including the provision of a footway to improve pedestrian safety.

The plan identifies an area that could be used to create a new combined waste management facility for North Yorkshire County Council and Craven Council.

With the closure of the existing landfill site at Skibeden, the two authorities are looking at how they can best handle the collection and transfer of waste to the proposed waste recovery park at Allerton, located next to the A1(M) near Knaresborough.

Craven Council said that “appropriate landscaping” will be used to maintain the quality of the approach into Skipton.

The purpose of the masterplan is to inform prospective developers and the community regarding the council’s planning requirements for development of the site.

Craven Council chief executive Paul Shevlin said: “The plan forms part of the council’s long-term aim to bring forward employment land to meet the needs of the local economy. The council is committed to helping create an environment that will enable new and existing businesses to thrive and grow.”

The council will host a drop-in session on June 2, at Sandylands Sports Centre, Carleton New Road, Skipton, from 11am to 6.30pm to offer anyone with an interest in the site the opportunity to speak with council staff and the consultants commissioned to prepare the masterplan. Appointments are not required.

The council’s strategic manager for planning and regeneration, David Smurthwaite, said: “Economic forecasts vary greatly about how the recovery will be shaped and how it will influence a resurgent property market. As such, it is necessary to plan for the long-term and ensure that the district has adequate land available to meet the requirements of the small to medium-sized business owner/occupier as and when the economy begins to strengthen.”

The consultation period runs until Monday, July 4. When adopted, subject to the comments received, the masterplan will form a material consideration in determining any future development applications for the site and ensure that individual proposals contribute to the overall vision of the site.