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14

Oct 2022

Last Updated: 14/10/2022
Environment
Environment

Could Harrogate's 'little temple' be moved to 'neglected' Starbeck?

by John Plummer

| 14 Oct, 2022
Comment

0

Postmaster Andrew Hart offers to donate £1,000 towards bringing the tempietto to Starbeck.

collage-maker-14-oct-2022-03-10-pm

A Starbeck community group has offered to find a new home for the 'little temple' that looks set to be moved from Harrogate.

North Yorkshire County Council said yesterday it had submitted a planning application to remove the tempietto in Station Square.

It plans to sell or recycle the construction so it can open up the area and use the space to host events, as part of the £11.9 million Harrogate Station Gateway scheme.

Postmaster Andrew Hart has written to the council offering to donate £1,000 towards bringing the little temple to Starbeck.

Mr Hart, who founded Starbeck Community Group, which has 1,800 members, wrote in his letter:

"Starbeck is very much the poor relative of Harrogate and Knaresborough and has suffered badly due to a depleted High Street, covid and the economy.
"We noticed with interest that you are planning to recycle or sell the tempietto from Harrogate. Could we please have first claim on it as either a gift or as a purchase?
"The community would be so proud to have this in Starbeck, it would not only enhance our community but it would lift spirits. I would happily start a community fund with a donation of £1000 towards the purchase if necessary."





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Mr Hart was behind a successful bid last year to relocate eight planters from Harrogate to Starbeck when Harrogate Borough Council decided to get rid of them.

He said "these things help poor neglected Starbeck" and told the Stray Ferret the idea of Belmont Park hosting the little temple had been well received by locals:

"Everyone is working hard in Starbeck to make it look more colourful and this would give us a sense of pride.
"I saw the story and thought 'this is a great opportunity for us'."