Controversial Dunlopillo apartment plan approved
by
Sep 30, 2021
The former Dunlopillo offices, Pannal.

A controversial plan to demolish the former Dunlopillo office block in Pannal to make way for apartments has been approved.

Harrogate Borough Council has given the go-ahead for the plan, which was submitted by Leeds-based Johnson Mowat Planning.

The proposal will see the 1961 office block replaced by 48 one-and two-bedroom apartments.

Under the plans, the site will be split into two blocks, one with four storeys and another with six.

There will also be one car parking space per apartment plus additional spaces for visitors at the back of the building.


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However, the plans have proved controversial with residents, the parish council and Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, all criticising the development.

In a letter to the borough council, Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council said it could “give no credence” to the proposal.

It said:

“The current Dunlopillo building has suffered decades of neglect and exists as an eyesore within its environment. 

“Councillors and parishioners support its long-overdue demolition but can give no credence to the replacement and erection of a structure which – at a proposed 18 metre height, three metres above the current height – would exert an over-dominance and “mass” in its surrounds.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Jones this week called for a special planning committee to consider the development which he said. 

He also wrote to Michael Gove, communities secretary, to ask for him to intervene “should the council’s local planning powers not be sufficient to enable full scrutiny of the application”.

Mr Jones said the development should not have been lodged under the permitted development rights, which the application has been made under.

He said:

“Permitted development rights are to enable positive development and apply in specific circumstances to achieve a specific goal.  I do not believe that these rights were introduced for the situation in respect of this development in a semi-rural location.

“Such a significant proposal should go through the normal planning process, be thoroughly appraised by council officers and scrutinised by the councillors at a committee meeting where the public can also have their say.”

Johnson Mowat said in its planning documents submitted to the council that the scheme would be an improvement on the current empty office block, which has been deteriorating for several years.