Harrogate Borough Council has appointed three different consultancy firms to help prepare for a potentially controversial 40-home housing development at Harlow Nurseries.
Harlow Nurseries is currently used by the council to sell plants, pots and compost to the public. It would be relocated to another site if the housing went ahead.
The group of consultants will be led by architects BDP who will work with global investment management company Colliers and construction consultants RPP.
Plans to redevelop the site could be unpopular. In 2020, HBC asked residents their views about Harlow Nurseries, with one respondent saying “it would be a very, very sad day if the site was sold off for housing”.
A spokesperson for Pinewoods Conservation Group called on the council to work on an “environmentally conscientious” development.
“We suspect the development of the council nurseries into a possible 40 home development will be another controversial planning application with likely impact on the Pinewoods. We know the Nursery Lane access is well used by many residents and this development could impact on the borders of the woods.
“However, we welcome the early engagement as a key stakeholder and hope that the council continues to engage openly on their plans. This could be a unique opportunity for the council to look at the most environmentally conscientious development within the district.”
The three firms will also work with council officers to develop a masterplan for housing and business space on Dragon Road car park near Asda, which is currently being used as Harrogate’s covid-19 testing centre.
They will also bring forward a plan for 12.7 hectares of land south of Almsford Bridge in Pannal, which could be used for offices or storage.
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All three sites have been designated within the council’s Local Plan, which says where development can happen in the district over the next 14 years.
The consultants will be paid with funding secured by the council in 2018.
The council received £200,000 from the Leeds City Region Business Rates Pool and £36,000 from the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
A report with a draft programme for the three sites is expected in September 2021.
