This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities...
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
    • Politics
    • Transport
    • Lifestyle
    • Community
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Education
    • Sport
    • Harrogate
    • Ripon
    • Knaresborough
    • Boroughbridge
    • Pateley Bridge
    • Masham
  • What's On
  • Offers
  • Newsletter
  • Podcasts

Interested in advertising with us?

Advertise with us

  • News & Features
  • Your Area
  • What's On
  • Offers
  • Newsletter
  • Podcasts
  • Politics
  • Transport
  • Lifestyle
  • Community
  • Business
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Education
  • Sport
Advertise with us
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Latest News

We want to hear from you

Tell us your opinions and views on what we cover

Contact us
Connect with us
  • About us
  • Advertise your job
  • Correction and complaints
Download on App StoreDownload on Google Play Store
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Statement
  • Comments Participation T&Cs
Trust In Journalism

Copyright © 2020 The Stray Ferret Ltd, All Rights Reserved

Site by Show + Tell

Subscribe to trusted local news

In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

  • Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.

Already a subscriber? Log in here.

08

Aug

Last Updated: 08/08/2025
Environment
Environment

Bid to convert Harrogate commercial space to flats

by John Plummer

| 08 Aug, 2025
Comment

0

image-85-8
The Virgin Money building on James Street.

Plans have been submitted to create six flats above a bank on James Street in Harrogate.

Hornbeam Park Developments has applied to North Yorkshire Council for permission to convert the first and second floors of the Virgin Money building.

The ground floor and basement would continue to be used for retail purposes, and no external alterations would be required.

A design and access statement in support of the plans says:

The development makes efficient use of previously developed land, and aligns with the government’s objective to boost housing delivery.

The proposal seeks to reflect the heritage of the area whilst achieving a sympathetic response to the surroundings. It will enhance the existing aesthetics and continue to improve the social dynamic of the area, whilst creating a diverse and attractive new development within the town centre of Harrogate.

Hornbeam Park has submitted a permitted development application, which would allow the conversion to go ahead without a full planning application.

A company spokesperson said it was standard practice to ensure flexibility for all commercial property within its portfolio. They added: “This planning application will provide another option for such an iconic building on James Street.”

It is the latest in a series of applications to convert commercial space to residential use in Harrogate town centre.

On nearby Cambridge Street, the former River Island shop has been transformed into a complex of 14 flats known as Trinity House and plans to create six flats above Holland and Barrett were submitted this year.

StarLiquidator files report into 'shambolic' Knaresborough Post Office sagaStarAnother housing development approved in Killinghall