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13
Mar
‘Disgraceful’ state of properties on Ripon street prompts call for compulsory purchase
Run-down properties on one of Ripon’s main thoroughfares should be compulsory purchased and refurbished, councillors said this week.
Water Skellgate attracts traffic heading in and out of the city as well as vehicles travelling to Boroughbridge, Harrogate, Pateley Bridge and Fountains Abbey.
But the state of many of the properties is creating a poor impression, Ripon City Council heard this week.
Councillor Peter Horton, who represents Moorside, said the city council had no authority to do anything but proposed it urged North Yorkshire Council to take action.
Cllr Stuart Flatley (Spa ward) agreed:
This is the gateway to not only Ripon but also to Fountains Abbey
It’s a disgrace. It’s a nice little old area of Georgian properties and we need to keep putting pressure on. It’s an embarrassment.
Property on Water Skellgate
The antiques shop
Cllr Barbara Brodigan (Spa ward) described some properties as an “eyesore”.
The antiques shop, the former Turk’s Head pub and a pink-painted building were mentioned as buildings of concern.
Cllr Andrew Williams proposed writing to North Yorkshire Council chief executive Richard Flinton because previous attempts to address the issue weren’t “hitting the spot”.
Water Skellgate
He added:
“There are powers in the Localism Act which North Yorkshire Council could enact to compulsory purchase at least one of the buildings there.”
He said the pink building between the antiques shop and the former Turk’s Head had been “half built for donkey’s years”, adding:
The local authority could compulsory purchase that site and get builders to finish the job, put them back out for sale and it wouldn’t cost the taxpayer anything and the problem would be solved. Not only that it would provide accommodation for five families at the same time so it’s a win-win-win situation so I really do want us to press home the issues.
Councillors voted to support his proposal.
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