New plans approved for Skipton Mill development
New developers are reported to be taking over the halted Belle Vue Mills development in Skipton, Yorkshire.
Changes in plans allowed the project to continue once more after a pause, now there will be more office space on the development rather than flats, as well as a change in leisure and retail use. Rushbond, a
Leeds property firm are to complete the project with the previous owner Novo Homes.
Craven District Council decided that the former mill site, on Broughton Road, should have no shops at all and should instead have more ground floor office space. The Council themselves have plans to move into the site. A large, glass atrium was originally intended for use by fashion retailer Next as a flagship store for the area, but it is now to be replaced by vital open space.
Approval was delegated to planning officers and was subject to conditions including flooding work plans. it is hoped that they revised plans will provide more office space for the council on the ground floor. Council chief executive Paul Shevlin said, “We are keen to make the most of this opportunity and effectively use this space to make sure as many public facilities are on the ground floor and fully accessible to residents,
“In addition to the reception area, this could include the council chamber and wedding facilities, which weren’t possible under the previous plans.”
The councillor also believe there is more work to be done on the site and that plans and models need to made public, so that members of the public can see them and know what to expect to be built in their area.
Development director for Rushbond, Mike Hartley said, “Rushbond has an acknowledged skill at sympathetic reuse of major listed buildings and is delighted to be working with Craven and North Yorkshire County Council in completing this stunning redevelopment.”
It is becoming quite popular for property developers to look at redeveloping existing sites and reworking them for office space use due to high demands and the competitive market. Many industrial use buildings have been successfully converted into office space, as the UK moves into more office-based markets over industrial.