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    03

    Aug 2021

    Last Updated: 02/08/2021
    Environment
    Environment

    Two year wait for planning decision forces appeal over Ripon townhouses

    by Calvin Robinson

    | 03 Aug, 2021
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    A developer has submitted an appeal against Harrogate Borough Council over a "failure to determine" a planning application. A proposal was tabled to build four apartments and four townhouses in Ripon back in 2019.

    northstreetripon2
    Visuals of the planned townhouses and apartments on North Street, Ripon.

    Developers have lodged an appeal against Harrogate Borough Council over a “failure to determine” a planning application for new apartments and townhouses in Ripon.

    Spinksburn Ltd had tabled a plan to build four apartments and four townhouses on land off North Street in the city.

    The site, which used to be retail units, was demolished to make way for Marshall Way and has remained undeveloped since.

    The company tabled a revised plan back in November 2019, but says it has yet to receive a decision on the proposal.

    Now, the developer has taken the matter to the government's Planning Inspectorate.



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    In a letter outlining its grounds for appeal, the developer said it had requested a delay to the decision due to the covid pandemic back in April 2020.

    A further extension was then agreed until July 15, 2021.

    However, the developer said that since then the borough council has yet to determine the application.

    The letter written by the developer’s lawyer said:

    “Our client has therefore instructed us to submit the appeals for non-determination because the council does not appear to have the resources to be able to determine the applications and there appears to be no end in sight.
    “My client is extremely concerned that determination of the applications is being allowed to drift and there are no means by which to secure the determination of the applications besides the appeal process if the council does not have the necessary resources.”


    A government planning inspector will make a decision on the appeal at a later date.