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03
Oct 2023
Former homeless hostel in Harrogate to be converted to flats
Councillors have approved a plan to convert former homeless hostel Cavendish House in Harrogate into six apartments.
The hostel on Robert Street was operated by Harrogate Borough Council from 1983 until its closure in November 2021.
In 2021, the council opened a new homeless centre called Fern House in Starbeck.
Cavendish House had nine bedsits which will be converted into six self-contained flats and sold by the council through shared ownership schemes.
A-two storey flat roof extension to the rear of the building will be demolished under the plans.
The application from North Yorkshire Council was considered by councillors on the council's Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee last week.
Air source heat pumps will be fitted to the building but Paul Haslam, the Conservative councillor for Nidd Gorge and Bilton, said the council could do more to make it energy efficient for residents.
He said:
However, Cllr Haslam was told by council planning officer John Worthington that internal alternations were not planning matters.
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The decision to fit UPVC windows was criticised by Hannah Gostlow, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Knaresborough East, who said she would prefer them to choose wood.
But John Mann, the Conservative councillor for Pannal and Oatlands, said UPVC windows were cheaper and more effective than traditional windows.
He said:
The plans were approved by six votes to none with Cllr Gostlow abstaining.
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