24
Apr
Developer proposes changes to Harrogate Debenhams refurbishment
Developers have proposed changes to the refurbishment of Harrogate’s former Debenhams.
The iconic Parliament Street store has been vacant since January 2021 after Debenhams fell into administration.
Wetherby-based property firm Stirling Prescient received planning permission in January this year to convert the building into 34 flats and a commercial space.
Work began in February and now the firm has sought amendments to its plans, which would see a green roof and an increase in the number of four-bed apartments.
According to planning documents submitted to North Yorkshire Council, the developer carried out structural surveys of the building after stripping out the interior of the site.
They say the site will need to be amended in order for the plans to be “compatible with the current structure” of the building.
Former staff entrance at Harrogate Debenhams.
This includes amending the housing mix from nine one-bedroom and 25 two-bedroom apartments to nine one-bedroom, 21 two-bedroom and four three-bedroom apartments.
In its planning statement, the developer said:
The overall number of dwellings is unaffected, and the introduction of a small number of three-bed units simply optimises the layout as a result of the structural constraints outlined previously.
Meanwhile, the proposal also seeks to include a green roof as part of the landscaping scheme.
The move comes as the developer sought amendments to the plan in November last year to remove car parking from the scheme.
The proposal came after Stirling Prescient sought to remove its plans for the basement of the building as it would be classified as a “storey” — which would delay the construction process due to requiring approval from the Building Safety Regulator.
As a result, the developer applied to the council to compensate for the loss of retail space at basement level by removing six car parking spaces and repurposing them as commercial space.
The developer said it expected a “significant proportion” of residents to be “non-car owners”.
Council officials approved the car parking changes in February.
North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the latest plans at a later date.
On a separate note, but related to Harrogate town centre, the polling company Suffrago is running a public vote on the Stray Ferret about the £14.6m Station Gateway project which is set to start this year after a lengthy legal challenge. Do you agree it should go ahead? VOTE HERE.
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