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24
Oct
Owner reveals new plans for Starbeck's burnt-out Harpers building
The owner of the derelict Harpers building on Starbeck High Street has submitted a new, and substantially changed, planning application for its redevelopment.
Otley-based entrepreneur Graham Bates originally planned to demolish the burnt-out building and replace it with a modern version in a similar style, with retail units on the ground floor and 26 small flats above.
But he now plans to keep the shell of the old building, and create just nine flats above the ground-floor retail space.
Mr Bates said the development would revive a key High Street frontage and provide Starbeck with sustainable new homes, which he hoped would appeal particularly to young people.
The development would have retail space on the ground floor, with nine flats above. Image: E3 Architecture.
He told the Stray Ferret:
This landmark former Harpers building, vacant since an arson attack, will be restored and repurposed – retaining the existing structure, reinstating a class E retail space, and delivering nine high-quality apartments above, complete with a residents’ roof terrace overlooking the neighbouring Grade II listed St Andrew’s Church.
The Harper’s building, which stands next to St Andrew’s Church, was originally a Harpers grocery store and still bears that name carved in stone.
It was later a McColl’s supermarket but had been vacant for two years when youths set fire to it in 2018. It has remained a burnt-out shell behind hoardings ever since.
The old Harper's building in Starbeck.
Mr Bates said his previous plan to create a larger development had to be shelved due to “ongoing challenges with planners” and a requirement for affordable housing, which he said the site would not sustain due to “viability issues”.
North Yorkshire Council's Local Plan stipulates that all qualifying brownfield developments should have 30% affordable housing, subject to viability, but Mr Bates contended that an affordable housing element would have rendered his scheme unviable.
The dispute caused the project to stall for years. Now, Mr Bates is hoping the new plans will be accepted and the scheme can finally get off the ground.
He said:
Hopefully, we now have a project that the planners can agree makes sense and with a groundswell of local support, we want to see this consented as soon as possible.
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