PERSIMMON Homes has revealed plans to build 96 new homes in Skipton – on land accessed over semi-derelict council garages.

Residents surrounding the proposed site, off Aldersley Avenue, were leafleted with the proposals last week and have until the end of the month to put forward their comments.

Meanwhile, Persimmon, a leading builder of new homes in the country, says it plans to submit a full planning application within weeks.

Access to the greenfield site, bordered on one side by Moorview Way, is proposed across land currently occupied by six garages owned by Craven District Council.

Earlier in the year, tenants were given until March 6 to quit, with the council saying the garages were in a poor condition and that it had received an offer to sell.

Wayne Gradwell, managing director at Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire, said the company is currently at a "pre-application stage".

“The site will consist of a mix of two, three and four-bedroom detached and semi-detached homes," he added.

“We have issued a leaflet to residents showing the masterplan layout. This provides residents with the opportunity to contact us with any views they may have. Residents’ views are important to us and will be considered prior to the application submission.

“We look forward to submitting our final plans for the council to consider, and we are aiming to submit these next month. Persimmon Homes hopes to create a scheme that can be of great benefit to the town.”

A Craven District Council spokesman said negotiations for the sale of the garage site are ongoing and will be subject to the proposed buyer gaining planning permission.

In March, it said proceeds from the sale of the garage site would be "invested in other council assets that support frontline services".

The spokesman added: “A sale of the garage site has not yet been agreed and will be dependent upon Persimmon successfully attaining planning consent, which they have not yet applied for.”

The spokesman added the council had not yet received a planning application for the site, but it is aware one was to be made.

The draft Craven Local Plan, currently out for consultation until the end of the month, describes the location as 'a large site which can contribute to the housing requirements of Skipton'.

Skipton Town Council, a consultee on the plans, has invited Persimmon to make a representation to its planning committee, as it does with all major proposed developments.

lWhat do you think? We welcome letters on this or any other subject. E-mail richard.parker@nqyne.co.uk or write to the Content Editor, Craven Herald, 38 High Street, Skipton BD23 1JU. Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number.