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18
Jan 2023
Last Updated: 18/01/2023
Councillors object to 'premature' application for redevelopment of Ripon football ground
Plans submitted for redevelopment of the Mallorie Park football ground in Ripon have not found favour with city councillors
Ripon City Council has described a planning application for a 66-bed care home at Ripon City AFC's Mallorie Park ground as 'premature'
At its full January meeting, members voted unanimously to reject plans by Leeds-based care company LNT Care Developments. However, the final decision will be made by Harrogate Borough Council.
Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams told the meeting:
"While we want to see the football club thrive and are happy to meet with them and work with them, this application is premature because the football club has not confirmed exactly where it will be relocating to."
Fellow councillors shared that view, but said that they would like to extend an invitation to the club, which has played at Mallorie Park for more than 100 years, to present its proposals to the city council.
An artist's impression of how the care home would look at Mallorie Park.
In October, club secretary and former player Daniel Metcalfe told the Stray Ferret:
“A shortlist of potential locations has been drawn up, but the move will only take place when we have a new site with all necessary planning and other approvals in place.”
The Stray Ferret has attempted to clarify with the club whether a new site has been agreed, but no response had been received at the time of publication.
If LNT's plans are approved by Harrogate Borough Council, the Mallorie Park ground would be transformed by the construction of a two-storey home specialising in general and dementia care. The proposed development includes 25 parking spaces.
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LNT has developed more than 200 care homes in the UK since 2005. A planning statement, prepared on behalf of the company to support the application, says:
“The proposed care home would provide a character and form of development that should positively
enhance the character of the site and surrounding area, whilst also offering an important local
community service.
The development would also have a positive impact within the area by improving employment
opportunities, not only during the construction phase but also in the longer term when the care home
becomes fully operational.”
Ripon City AFC has not disclosed how much the deal is worth, but has stated that funds from any sale would be used to develop a new facility, which would include floodlit 3G and grass pitches, seated stands as well as a multipurpose clubhouse.
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