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Oct 2022

Last Updated: 14/10/2022

Environment

Harrogate's 'little temple' could be sold to make way for Station Gateway

by John Plummer

| 13 Oct, 2022

The tempietto, opposite the train station, would be sold or recycled to make way for an open space with water jets that can host events.

A 'little temple' in the centre of Harrogate is set to be removed as part of the £11.9m Station Gateway.

The tempietto, an Italian term for little temple, is close to the Victoria monument opposite the train station in the town centre.

The area is due to be redeveloped as part of the gateway scheme, which aims to improve the public realm and encourage cycling and walking.

Station Square, where the little temple is situated, would be cleared to make way for an open landscaped area with water jets that can host events. The Victoria monument would, however, remain.

North Yorkshire County Council, which is leading on the gateway scheme, said today it had submitted a planning application to remove the tempietto.

A council spokesman said:

"The proposal is to remove the tempietto permanently from Station Square under the redesigned public realm to facilitate an open vista suitable for performance and event space options.

"It would be recycled or sold as appropriate to enable re-siting in another location as opposed to being scrapped."

The council also revealed it plans to consult on new traffic regulation orders, which would involve closing some roads to traffic, as part of the gateway scheme.

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Richard Binks, head of major projects and infrastructure at the council, said:

“We have recently submitted two planning applications relating to individual scheme elements – removal of the tempietto and wall lowering in Bower Street – and will consult on the scheme’s traffic regulation orders shortly.

“After that, the executive will be asked to consider whether to submit a full business case to West Yorkshire Combined Authority and implement the project.”

Asked why the council had submitted these applications before the executive has made a final decision on whether to go ahead with the gateway, the council spokesman said:

"Statutory orders and applications are being processed now to capture an informed position, which is needed before submission of a full business case.

"That submission of a business case is subject to approval from the council’s executive."

Latest gateway consultation response

Mr Binks also today revealed details of the third round of consultation on the gateway scheme. He said:

“In the third public consultation on the Harrogate Station Gateway Transforming Cities Fund project, held between 20 July and 23 August, we received 2,044 completed surveys. This is higher than the previous two consultations (which received 1,101 and 1,320 responses).

"Analysis of all the feedback, including approximately 5,000 text comments, plus letters and emails, is ongoing."

A 2010 conservation area character appraisal published by Harrogate Borough Council describes the Station Square area as ‘bitty’, with "a thoroughly unscholarly tempietto".

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Harrogate's 'little temple' could be sold to make way for Station Gateway

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Latest gateway consultation response