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12
Jan
Scaffolding up as work on Starbeck building finally gets underway
Preliminary work to redevelop the burnt-out Harpers Building in Starbeck finally began today (January 12).
Project construction company Hexa Projects was at the site as scaffolding was erected.
The Stray Ferret reported in October that the owner of the derelict building had submitted plans to North Yorkshire Council to redevelop the site.
Under the plans, the building will be demolished and nine flats created above a ground floor retail unit.
The plans have yet to receive planning permission but clearance work is underway.
When we visited today, Hexa Projects' project manager Keith Storrs told us work would last about nine months.
Mr Storrs said a lot of asbestos needed removing before demolition could starts.
A parking area next to the building on Forest Avenue has been cordoned off, meaning some nine spots will be lost for the duration of the work.
Parking opposite, outside the Co-op, will remain.
The nine-spot car park will be out of use until the work is complete.
Cars will still be able to park opposite the building.
Mr Storrs said some temporary road closures may be required on Forest Avenue but pledged to do everything possible to avoid this.
The Harpers building, next to St Andrew’s Church, was originally a grocery store. Its name is still carved in stone at the top of the building.
It later became a McColl’s supermarket, but had been vacant for two years when youths set fire to it in 2018. It has remained a burnt-out shell behind hoardings ever since.
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