23
Apr
Additional storeys to be built on Harrogate flats
Plans to build additional storeys on two blocks of flats close to Harrogate town centre have been approved.
North Yorkshire Council has granted permission to construct six new flats at Coppice Beck Court.
The court consists of 20 flats in two rows opposite each other on a road off Coppice Drive.
Three new flats will be built on top of each block.
The plans received 21 objections, which cited issues such as structural concerns, loss of privacy for existing residents, inadequate car parking and legal disputes between leaseholders and the freeholder.
However, the council backed the project in a decision notice published this week.
Council case officer Sam Fleming said in his public report some of the concerns were not planning matters and there were “no material planning reasons” to reject the scheme.
Agents acting on behalf of the unnamed developer applied using permitted development rights, which allow building schemes to proceed without full planning permission.
The application was a resubmission of the same development, which was approved in April 2023. However, that planning consent was due to expire this month (April 2026).
Harrogate Town Council supported the plans in its consultation response.
Mr Fleming said:
It is not considered that the proposed additional storey would introduce new direct overlooking opportunities that do not already arise to some degree from the existing arrangement
Having regard to the submitted and amended plans, consultee responses, site observations and the specific characteristics of the site, it is considered that there are no material planning reasons within the scope of the prior approval process to justify refusal of the application.
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