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North Yorkshire Council’s Skipton and Ripon Area Planning Committee approved the scheme for land off Wyvern Way today.
The hybrid application gives full permission for a Lidl food store with parking, access and landscaping, alongside outline permission for new employment units.
However, around 1.2 hectares of employment land will be used for the supermarket instead, while around 0.5 hectares will remain for proposed employment units.
The loss of employment land divided councilors, with the municipality’s own economic development team warning that the reduction of the amount available in well-served strategic locations could limit opportunities for future business growth and investment.
Cllr Andy Brown voted against the plans.
He said: “I think there are three main points: First, it’s designated employment land, and we already have a shortage, so we shouldn’t be taking away employment land that we need.
“Secondly, it does not generate any net gain and jobs, and thirdly, it is not in a sustainable location and would have a negative impact on Skipton town centre.”
Planning officials acknowledged the loss of employment land was “regrettable” but said the site had been marketed since 2018 with no credible interest in the parcels covered by the application.
They concluded that there was no reasonable prospect of the supermarket site being developed for its allocated employment use.
The supermarket is expected to create up to 40 full-time equivalent jobs, while officers have concluded there remains an unmet need for additional convenience shopping in Skipton.
Cllr Barbara Brodigan backed the scheme and said: “We are not in a dire situation in terms of no jobs land.
“I think it’s fair to say that building a retail site here, alongside the proposed employment units, will act as a catalyst to attract other businesses to the site.”
Cllr Robert Heseltine also supported the application, pointing to the 63 representations in support compared to six objections.
He argued that the development would increase competition, help keep shopping prices down and create jobs.
Skipton resident James Porter, who lives off Carlton Road, told councilors that traffic had already increased significantly following the development in the area.
He said: “To now consider sending everyday shoppers from Skipton town center down Carlton Road to shop at Lidl, well that would be a complete nightmare for residents.”
Cllr Andy Solloway, local division member who is not on the committee, said both supporters and opponents had raised concerns about traffic, unfinished link roads, difficult crossings, parking and disconnected footpaths and cycleways.
He argued that the wide-ranging development of Wyvern Park demonstrated flaws in the current system of Section 106 agreements and infrastructure levies.
The meeting also heard how it was suggested in the public consultation that the shop could feature a grass roof with sheep on top.
Highway officials have raised no objection to the scheme, subject to conditions and financial contributions.
