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26
Aug
Councillors back demolition of historic Harrogate almshouses
Councillors have backed a plan to demolish historic almshouses in Harrogate to make way for flats.
Harrogate Housing Association proposed replacing the property known as Applegarth Homes with affordable flats for people aged over 55.
The charity, which has owned the almshouses since October 2017, said the current site on Knaresborough Road was “no longer fit for purpose”.
The move will see 20 flats created, including 14 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom flats and 19 car parking spaces.
Kate Glynn, who spoke at a meeting of North Yorkshire Council's Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency planning committee yesterday (August 25) on behalf of the developer, said the current site had now reached its “end of life”.
She said:
They [the almshouses] are not providing residents with a reasonable quality of accommodation that they expect and they deserve.
We have reviewed the potential of the existing building. However, the costs and the end product would not achieve the standards which a new building would provide.
Meanwhile, Judie Gibson, who has been a resident at Applegarth for the last seven years, said the site was “no longer fit for modern living” and that her home felt “dated”.
Planning officers at North Yorkshire Council recommended that the plans be approved at today’s meeting.
The site layout for the planned Applegarth Homes site.
Date back to 1939
In a report, Emma Walsh, case officer at the council, said the developer would make a contribution towards the council’s housing land supply.
Ms Walsh told councillors today that, while concerns over the heritage of the building had been submitted to the council, it was not the authority’s opinion that the site was not considered to be a heritage asset.
As part of the council’s recommendations, the developer will be required to contribute £20,759 towards public open space, including upkeep of cemeteries, allotments and green spaces.
Cllr Philip Broadbank, Liberal Democrat committee member, said the scheme would be “more in keeping and fitting with the way of life we have”.
Councillors on the committee approved the plan unanimously.
The buildings on Knaresborough Road in Harrogate date back to 1939.
The almshouses, which consist of 10 flats, were built by Miss Jane Birdsall Walker in memory of her parents.
She maintained the property up until her death 1962 when the Applegarth Homes Almshouse charity was established by her will.
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