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14
Feb 2022
Knaresborough councillor supports £13m leisure centre ahead of crunch vote
A Knaresborough councillor has called on Harrogate Borough Council to lead by example and "go green" with its plans for a new leisure centre.
The council's planning committee is due to vote tomorrow on whether to build the new £13 million facility over a play area to the rear of the existing pool at Knaresborough's Fysche Field.
The plans, which are recommended for approval by council officers, have divided opinion, with some welcoming a modern new leisure centre and others criticising the design and environmental impact.
Hannah Gostlow, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough Scriven Park on the council, has covid and is therefore unable to attend tomorrow's meeting.
Hannah Gostlow
But in a statement today she said the scheme must be environmentally friendly and that key issues such as access and car park design needed to be considered.
She said the footpath to the site should be improved and any resurfacing of the car park should use environmentally friendly materials. She added:
Cllr Gostlow also said the pool needed to be fit for children's swimming lessons so it would require changing rooms big enough to accommodate local schools as well as a suitable depth of water.
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'Industrial warehouse'
Knaresborough Civic Society has described the proposed building as looking like an “industrial warehouse” and urged councillors to reject the plan.
It said demolishing the existing facility was "unnecessary" and questioned what would happen when the local authority dissolves in 2023.
Designs for the new site.
The plans include a new six-lane pool, learner pool, fitness suite, spin studio, sauna and steam room, and dry and wet changing facilities.
The council's website says there have been objections from 28 residents and two letters of support for the plans.
If approved, the project could be completed by the end of 2023.
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