Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
01
May
Harrogate town centre flats application withdrawn – for now
A planning application to build two new floors above Holland and Barrett in Harrogate and create six two-bed flats has been withdrawn because two of the units would be overlooked by windows in the Boots building across the street.
The application was submitted last month by an investment syndicate managed by Ratcliffes, a Mayfair-based company that specialises in building tax-transparent commercial property portfolios for groups of investors.
In correspondence published on North Yorkshire’s planning portal, Mike Parkes, the council’s senior development management officer in Harrogate, advised the syndicate’s agent, Peterborough-based Paul Lunn Architectural, that he could not support the application “due to the relationship with the second-floor staff-room and kitchen to Boots in close proximity across Cambridge Place”.
He added:
Units 2 and 4 would be unduly overlooked and any occupier would have an inappropriate level of amenity. I must there ask that the application is withdrawn.
The Holland & Barrett building as it is currently...
Mr Parkes also cited concerns expressed by Harrogate Civic Society, which unusually suggested that the proposed development would be too old-fashioned.
In a consultee letter, spokesperson Henry Pankhurst said the society had “serious concerns about the bulk and design” of the proposed upward extension.
...and how it might have looked under the proposed design.
He wrote:
The general character of Cambridge Street is provided by a range of buildings of different designs. The design approach [of the proposed development] is to provide a pastiche of 18th-century architecture, which is not appropriate for the conservation area and Cambridge Street in particular.
The character and appearance of Cambridge Street is largely established by organic growth from the mid-nineteenth century to late twentieth century designs.
If the principle of residential use and redevelopment of 24 Cambridge Street is considered acceptable, the Society is of the view that the design should be a good (or, preferably excellent) contemporary addition to the street.
But Paul Lunn said he was surprised by the society’s view, as the rejected design had been tweaked to adhere to advice from North Yorkshire Council’s conservation officer.
However, in his email Mr Parkes wrote:
The civic society's comments are normally taken very seriously in the absence of a town council.
Unfortunately, due to workload, conservation officers are only considering applications affecting listed buildings.
Mr Lunn said:
What Harrogate Civic Society has said is contradictory to what we had from the council’s conservation officer. The building was designed to mimic one on the other side of M&S, so I don’t really see how it’s out of place.
He added that, although the current application has been withdrawn, he understands the applicant wishes to continue with the plans and consult further about a revised design.
0