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12
Jun 2020
Is the future of Harrogate town centre more homes, less shopping?
As the government lines up plans to overhaul the UK planning system, could we see less shops and more homes and offices in Harrogate town centre as a result of the changes?
The town centre already has around 10% of its retail units sitting empty and an impending economic downturn could see that number increase.
But proposals lined up by the government could change how developers react to the loss of shops and what to do with them.
Ministers are to press ahead with measures which would see permitted development rights extended to empty outlets. It means that developers could demolish empty stores and replace them with housing without the need for a planning application.
Read more:
- Can Harrogate compete with Leeds as shops reopen?
- Many in district still fearful of shopping for clothes
- Which shops across the district are opening next week?
Further measures would see change of use rules relaxed, meaning unused shops could be turned into offices or homes.
James Tyreman, of Nicholls Tyerman estate agents, said the move would fit with an already popular town centre area to live in and converting a building would depend on its location.
Meanwhile, James Hobson, managing director at JEH Planning, said the reuse of vacant units will be crucial in helping the local economy after the pandemic.
He added that greater flexibility in the planning system would be key for those changes and to help high streets flourish.
The town centre has a Masterplan drawn up by the borough council, that was published four years ago. Critics argue that times have changed with increased online shopping and now the impact of coronavirus lockdown on the town centre.
The Stray Ferret contacted Harrogate Borough Council leader, Richard Cooper, in advance of this article to request an interview on the vision for the town and traders concerns, but received no response.
Independent Harrogate have already made their voices heard and called for a rethink of the plan.
In its manifesto, the trade association said the town centre faces a crisis amid the pandemic and described the plan as “outdated”.
The publication of the manifesto was another example of the growing frustration among traders who feel the town’s future and its high-end shopping, which it is famous for, is at stake.
A spokesperson for the group said:
At this critical juncture, there is a responsibility on policymakers to shape plans for the future. But there is also a responsibility on us to shop local if we want the stores we like to survive.
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