Councillors to decide on plan for sheltered homes on convent site

Diocese of Leeds Trustees want to refurbish and redevelop the former St Monica’s convent, which is next to St Stephen’s Church on Gargrave Road, Skipton.

The plans include apartments with communal lounge, dining room, laundry and 34 parking spaces.

Under the proposals, which include two new buildings, the main frontage building, which was built in 1861 would be refurbished but later extensions demolished and the site redeveloped to form parish meeting rooms and 70 age -restricted residential apartments.

The convent, which consists of four buildings, was used as a girls’ school until 1969. After the nuns stopped using it in the 1980s the buildings were used by the community until 1993, when all but the main Grade II listed building fell into disuse.

The Diocese of Leeds trustees want to limit the age of those in the sheltered housing to over 55.

Members of Craven Council’s planning committee will be advised to approve the plans when they meet today, despite objections.

A total of 12 people have written to the council supporting the scheme with five against.

Those backing the development say it will provide much needed sheltered accommodation and enhance the area. They say the site is a “derelict eyesore” and subject to vandalism.

They claim the scheme has been “sensitively designed” and that the redevelopment will allow the other church buildings to be conserved.

But critics claim car parking is inadequate and will result in a rise in on-street parking in nearby streets and that listed structures proposed for demolition could be preserved.

There are also claims that too much development is proposed for a confined site and the scale of the development will have an “overwhelming impact” on residents in Castle View Terrace.

The scheme would involve the loss of 25 trees and Craven Council’s tree officer has objected.

However, a report to be considered by councillors says: “It is considered that demolition of the later extensions to the listed building, as proposed, is justified on balance. It is considered that the development will preserve the setting of the attached listed convent and St Stephen’s Church, and the character and appearance of the conservation area whilst providing economic and social benefits (by assisting with the refurbishment of the convent and the other listed church buildings at St Stephen’s and providing sheltered accommodation for the elderly). The proposals, as revised, represent an appropriate architectural treatment for the site in this context.”

The plans are part of a wider scheme for the whole St Stephen’s Church complex .

Craven Council’s Planning Committee will also be advised to back another controversial housing scheme today.

McCarthy and Stone wants to build a part four storey and part five storey block of residential retirement apartments on land which was part of the now mostly redeveloped Belle Vue Mills complex at Broughton Road, Skipton.

The site for the proposed 33 apartments is next to the tow path of the Leeds/Liverpool Canal and is within Skipton conservation area.

Also included in the plans are a house manager’s office, communal facilities, a roof top terrace, bike shelter and a communal patio/terrace area. It is proposed four of the apartments facing the canal would have garden terraces.

But critics claim there is insufficient parking for the development and fear it will lead to traffic and highway safety problems .

There are concerns the scheme will lead to overshadowing and loss of privacy of properties at Victoria Mill and critics claim the development would be “overbearing” and an “over development” of the site.