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09
Feb 2022
Councillor welcomes go-ahead for demolition of Starbeck 'eyesore'
A councillor who has long campaigned for action on a burned-out Starbeck shop has welcomed approval of plans to demolish the building widely considered to be the area’s biggest eyesore.
Liberal Democrat Cllr Philip Broadbank said the approval was a big boost for Starbeck High Street, which has been “blighted” by the former McColl’s convenience store ever since it was gutted and left roofless during a fire more than three years ago.
Cllr Broadbank said:
The former McColl’s store has been described as an “eyesore” and “ramshackle” by locals who have become increasingly frustrated with its unsightly appearance on the High Street.
Cllr Broadbank said he would now hold talks with the building owners Bates and Hemingbrough over their plans to revive the site by building new retail and 15 housing units in place of the current building.
These plans have already been discussed with Harrogate Borough Council, although a planning application has yet to be submitted.
Read more:
- Plan to demolish ‘eyesore’ Starbeck building finally approved
- Plan to convert Starbeck pharmacy into Italian takeaway
The council had previously questioned whether the building next to St Andrew’s Church could be refurbished, before more recently putting the demolition plans on hold to allow for more safety documents to come forward.
'I want to get things moving'
Cllr Broadbank had previously argued the building was beyond restoration and should be torn down.
The council’s decision to allow this finally came to the joy of residents in January and the Leeds-based site owners now have five years to complete their demolition and construction works.
Cllr Broadbank, who represents Starbeck on both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, said he was hopeful that progress on the site could be made at a much faster pace than has been done up until now.
He said:
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