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28
Sept
Harrogate Station Gateway: Car park set to become three-year construction compound
Plans have been revealed to convert a car park into a construction compound for three years as part of the £14.6 million Harrogate Station Gateway.
North Yorkshire Council has hailed the gateway as the biggest town centre transformation for 30 years.
It will see major changes to Station Parade, Station Square and One Arch, including the creation of cycle and bus lanes.
The council has been tight-lipped on the project this year after successfully overcoming a legal challenge.
But a new planning application has revealed the scheme remains very much on the agenda despite the council’s own surveys revealing more people oppose it than support it.
Align Property Services, which the council owns, has submitted plans to the council to temporarily change the use of Dragon Road car park to a construction compound for three years.
Align says the compound would be a “practical and necessary measure to support the safe and efficient delivery of the Harrogate Transforming Cities Fund works”.
The gateway is one of three government-funded Transforming Cities Fund schemes overseen by North Yorkshire Council. The other two are in Selby and Skipton.
However, the cost of the Harrogate scheme has almost doubled, with local taxpayers having to pick up the tab.
The Dragon Road compound, near Asda, would include a staff welfare cabin, storage and stockpiling areas, waste and secure storage, parking, security fencing, CCTV and access gates.
The site was previously used to provide covid vaccines.
The covid testing centre at Dragon Road car park in Harrogate in 2020.
A design and access statement by Align says:
The compound will provide the necessary facilities for site operations, including staff welfare, material storage, parking and secure site management.
The development is temporary in nature and limited in scope, providing the facilities required to support the Harrogate Transforming Cities Fund works. The proposed layout, fencing and security measures will provide a safe and secure compound whilst minimising the impact on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.
Vehicles will access the compound from Dragon Road via a new five-metre wide opening formed through the existing low-level metal crash barrier.
The existing pedestrian footpath will be be retained during the works.
The council has set a target of deciding whether to approve the application by November 18.
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