RESIDENTS in Skipton are taking on the county council over plans to build a children's centre near their homes.

North Yorkshire County Council intends to build the two-storey facility in the grounds of Parish Church School, off Brougham Street, and create a new entrance from Montgomery Street.

Homeowners have already voiced concern about extra traffic on the congested roads around Brougham Street in a public meeting with the council.

Now they are stepping up their fight, with two petitions and the submission of objections to the planning application.

David May, who lives on Brougham Street, said most people in the area were against using the school grounds for the centre, which would also be open during school holidays.

He said the centre would lead to an extra 50 cars a day dropping off and picking up youngsters.

Mr May claimed the council had ignored suggestions to site the facility at Greatwood School, which was not in such a high density area.

Paula Astle, of Montgomery Street, said nobody was against the principle of a children's centre, just the location. "It would be a nightmare and we would not even get any peace from traffic in the holidays," she added.

Local councillors Andy Solloway, Robert Heseltine and Audrey Thornton held a meeting with concerned residents on Wednesday.

Coun Solloway said: "There are a lot of opinions so this is going to be a real test of North Yorkshire County Council's intentions for the future. They are wanting to prove themselves as a listening authority and they have got to do on this application."

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said: "A traffic impact survey will be prepared as part of the council's planning application for the children's centre and the results of the survey will be presented to the relevant officers and members when the application is considered."