COUNCILLORS are being urged to set aside job creation policies to bring new life to dangerous and dilapidated buildings.

No commercial use has been found for an empty coach house and furniture store at Mowbray Square, Harrogate, despite intensive marketing for two years.

Now, the borough council's economic development officer, Nigel Avison, feels there are unlikely to be any takers because of the state of the three-storey buildings.

"Parts of the buildings, including the upper floors, staircase and roof are dangerous," he said.

So he is prepared to waive rules which insist sites with potential for jobs should be retained.

Because of his stance, planning officers are not opposing a scheme to turn most of the property over to nine apartments, with the west wing upgraded into office accommodation.

Area planning officer Mairi Lock said the case for protecting use of the whole building for employment was weakened by a lack of interest, poor layout, age and inflexibility of use.

Councillors are expected to approve the conversion at a meeting tomorrow.