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13
Dec 2022
Plan to convert former Harrogate Post Office into holiday flats rejected
A plan to convert the former Harrogate Post Office into holiday flats has been refused.
The Post Office on Cambridge Road controversially relocated to WH Smith in 2019 amid claims by Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones the service was being “downgraded”. The building has stood empty since.
Proposals lodged to Harrogate Borough Council by Leeds-based property developer Priestley Group would have seen the building converted into 23 self-serviced holiday flats.
It would also have seen a commercial unit created on the ground floor.
However, the council has rejected the plan on the grounds the scheme would result in “poor standards” of residential amenity.
How the building used to look.
In a decision notice, the authority said:
It added that there was a lack of information on waste disposal and whether or not the proposal for the retail unit would “result in a significant adverse impact on the vitality or viability of the retail offering”.
The developer said in a statement to the council that the proposal would secure an “active re-use” of the building.
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Two previous proposals to convert the former post office into flats were withdrawn.
In November 2020, Harrogate-based developer One Acre Group submitted plans for 25 apartments and offices on the site but withdrew the application last year.
Its plans had been welcomed by conservation group Harrogate Civic Society although it was concerned about a proposal to build an additional floor.
Meanwhile, in July the Stray Ferret reported that proposals to convert the building into 11 flats had also been withdrawn.
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