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    22

    Sept 2020

    Last Updated: 22/09/2020
    Knaresborough
    Knaresborough

    New consultation planned over future of leisure services in Harrogate district

    by Suzannah Rogerson

    | 22 Sept, 2020
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    After 417 people responded to a consultation which closed earlier this month, Harrogate Borough Council said it will go back to the public - but it has not confirmed when, or what it will ask.

    conyngham-hall-knaresborough-scaled
    Conyngham Hall in Knaresborough.

    A second consultation will be held over the future of leisure services in the Harrogate district.

    After 417 people responded to a consultation which closed earlier this month, Harrogate Borough Council said it will go back to the public - but it has not confirmed when, or what it will ask.

    Campaigners in Knaresborough are calling for the council to rule out using the Conyngham Hall site for a new leisure centre,. However, HBC said responses to the survey are being assessed and no decision has been made over where it will be built, with Knaresborough House, Hay-a-Park and the existing swimming pool site all on the shortlist.

    The council has confirmed residents will get another chance to express their opinions in a follow-up consultation in the coming weeks. A spokesman said:

    “The results will be evaluated and used to inform the various options and subsequent recommendations for the multi-million pound investment in sport and leisure across the Harrogate district.”





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    The suggestion of the Grade II* listed Conyngham Hall as a potential spot for the new leisure centre has been met with criticism. The hall itself is used as office space and leased by the council to businesses, while the grounds are popular for leisure activities.

    Campaigns to protect the green space have been set up by local residents on Facebook, and by the Harrogate & Knaresborough Liberal Democrats and Knaresborough Civic Society.

    Civic society chairman James Monaghan said:

    "Knaresborough Civic Society believes that building a new leisure centre and car park on green space at the grade 2 star listed Conyngham Hall would be completely unacceptable.
    Our preference is to see the Conyngham Hall site removed from consideration full stop."




    Mr Monaghan said he was pleased that the council had agreed to consult again and was hopeful that it would give local people a say on the location of the new leisure centre. The civic society's preference is for the existing site to be used.

    He added:

    "The proposals for a leisure centre at either Conyngham Hall or on the green space at Knaresborough House would have a terrible impact on the historical character of Knaresborough."