Harrogate businesses are considering mounting a legal challenge to halt the £10.9 million Station Gateway scheme.
About 80 people attended an at times bad tempered Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting last night, at which numerous businesses clashed with the five men leading the scheme.
Supporters insisted it would make Harrogate town centre more attractive and boost business but business owners were not convinced.
After almost two hours of debate, chamber chief executive David Simister said he had been asked to put forward a motion that said “if the scheme is not halted and thoroughly reviewed, substantially revised and / or scrapped we feel we will have no alternative but to seek a judicial review”.
Attendees overwhelmingly supported the motion, raising the prospect of the scheme heading to the courts.
It is not known which businesses put forward the motion or whether it will be acted on but a judicial review could either derail the scheme or delay it long enough to jeopardise funding.
Karl Battersby, corporate director for business and environmental services at North Yorkshire County Council, which is leading on the gateway scheme, told the Stray Ferret after the meeting:
“We would defend a judicial review robustly because we believe we have followed due process and there is no ground legally to challenge it.”
Read more:
- Station Gateway: the story so far of the £10.9m scheme
- Harrogate residents form group to fight £10.9m Station Gateway
North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, the executive member for access who is leading the gateway scheme, said he too did not think a judicial review would succeed but with the consultation on the revised plans due to end on Friday, he said “a decision would be taken on whether to go ahead”.
Cllr Mackenzie added he had been assured the meeting was purely for businesses and he was surprised to see some residents also attend,
What happens now?
Individuals can apply to the courts for a judicial review when they believe a public body has not followed the correct procedures. They can’t do so simply because they disagree with the outcome of a decision.
Mr Simister said the chamber hadn’t proposed the motion and it would be up to individual businesses to decide whether to pursue a judicial review.
The gateway scheme aims to transform the area around Harrogate train station. It would part pedestrianise James Street and reduce traffic on Station Parade to a single lane while encouraging cycling and walking.
Although it has widespread public support, it faces strong opposition from businesses, which feel it could damage trade. They also believe there is insufficient evidence to support claims it will enhance footfall and business.
Sue Kramer, who owns Crown Jewellers on Commercial Street and is vice-president of the chamber, was loudly cheered when she said the first consultation on the scheme, held during lockdown was “not fit for purpose” and did not show clear support for the scheme. Ms Kramer said those proposing the scheme “should consider re-holding the consultation”.
James Street would be partly pedestrianised.
What is the Harrogate Station Gateway?
The Harrogate scheme is one of three projects worth a combined £42m in Harrogate, Skipton and Selby funded by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which encourages cycling and walking.
They are being delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Craven District Council and Selby District Council.
A consultation on the revised designs ends on Friday. It is anticipated that work in Harrogate will begin by the middle of next year.
