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05
Nov
Future of Ripon eyesore could finally be resolved next week
A decision on whether to demolish a disused Ripon petrol station and replace it with six flats could be made next week.
The former Express petrol station and convenience store on Skellbank has been fenced off and unused since 2008.
Ripon City Council has wanted the site, near the city centre, to be developed for several years to improve its appearance.
But North Yorkshire Council has refused to sign-off the plans by Tate Oil.
A council case officer recommended refusing the scheme in June, citing design concerns and the absence of a gypsum report.
But councillors voted to defer a decision so a gypsum report could be compiled.
Now the issue is again due to come before councillors on the Skipton and Ripon planning committee on Monday (November 10).
Case officer Mike Parkes has recommended councillors vote to defer a decision and authorise the council to approve it "upon receipt of a further site investigation along with the confirmation of an appropriate foundation design to be used that safeguards the adjacent listed buildings".
Mr Parkes' report, which you can view here, says:
Whilst an investigation into the presence of gypsum has confirmed the development could go ahead that is on the basis of piled foundations being used.
No certainty has yet been provided that such foundations can be used without undue harm being caused to the adjacent listed buildings, with the need for further site investigation.
If planning permission is granted, a four-storey, six-apartment building would be built.
Some local people have raised concerns about parking and an increase in noise, traffic and pollution.
But a planning report by consultants Johnson Mowat on behalf of Tate Oil says:
"Ripon City Council has raised concerns about the derelict appearance of the site and has been pushing for the site to be redeveloped so that it can improve the character and appearance of the area."
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