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16
Feb 2023
A scheme to build 1,300 homes on historic army barracks in Ripon looks set to be approved next week.
Harrogate Borough Council officers have recommended its planning committee gives the scheme the go-ahead when it meets on Thursday.
If councillors vote to accept the recommendation, it will see Ripon's population increase by almost 20%, with an estimated 3,000 people expected to occupy the new homes.
Building work is likely to continue until 2035 and 30% of homes would be deemed 'affordable'.
The 85 hectare-scheme would also include a new primary school and sports pitches as well as shops, restaurants and offices that could support up to 678 jobs.
However, there are concern about the impact on health services, the road network and the loss of key sites of military history.
The report to councillors concludes:
A computer generated image of the proposed Ripon barracks site.
Development would take place on the sites of Claro Barracks, Laver Banks and Deverell Barracks, which played key roles in the First and Second World Wars.
The report acknowledges "strong concerns" over the demolition of Deverell Barracks, which according to the non-departmental public body Historic England contains buildings that make it 'one of the best surviving WWII temporary standardised prefabricated sites'.
The report says the developers would 'explore retention of these structures' but adds there are 'significant issues with their re-use' due to the presence of asbestos and concludes there is no 'certainty of retention'.
Part of the current site
The significance of two military bridges on Laver Banks became apparent recently following research by Ripon Military Heritage Group and the report says the applicants have "confirmed a commitment to keep on working together" with the group.
The report says the highways authority, North Yorkshire County Council, "considers there is no defensible reason to refuse the application on highway or transportation grounds" in the wake of proposed highways changes.
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