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08

Dec 2021

Last Updated: 08/12/2021
Environment
Environment

Disused Bilton car park to be used for council homes

by Thomas Barrett

| 08 Dec, 2021
Comment

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The car park at Dene Park will be converted after councillors previously expressed concerns about the layout and designs. These have been addressed now but there were still questions over the loss of the car park.

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Revised plans for five council homes on a disused car park in Harrogate have been approved at a second attempt.

Harrogate Borough Council’s housing team was sent back to the drawing board to rethink its plans for the site at Dene Park, Bilton, in May.

But the scheme has now gained approval after a planning committee meeting yesterday.

Councillors said previous concerns over the layout and designs had been addressed, although there were still questions over the loss of the car park.

Councillor Sue Lumby, a Conservative who represents Harrogate Coppice Valley, said:

“I have received a letter from a number of residents who are very concerned about parking. If cars are forced to park on pavements, it is going to make access for buses and refuse vehicles difficult.”


Gillian Wood, the council’s housing growth manager, responded by saying the car park was “grossly under-occupied” and that 12 new parking spaces would be built for the use of all residents over nearby grass verges.



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She said:

“This will reduce parking on the street.
“We have been monitoring the car park for quite a long time now and we are finding there are generally three cars on there.
“People have a preference to park outside their property, so if we can provide 12 off-street spaces that is 12 cars off the street, which should help.”


1,800 households on council waiting list


There are around 1,800 households on the council's housing waiting list and the housing team said the car park would help provide “much-needed” accommodation for these residents.

Councillor Pat Marsh, the Liberal Democrat leader, also said the plans should be welcomed for this reason.

She said:

“There are people parking at the site, but it is very small in numbers. To me, what is more important is the almost 2,000 people on our housing waiting list.
“I’m really pleased the council is moving forward with this.”


Councillors unanimously voted to approve the plans at Tuesday’s meeting.