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12
Jul 2023
Plans to build nine flats on site of former Harrogate council building
Plans to build nine apartments on the site of a former council office in Harrogate have been met with opposition from nearby residents.
The site at 18 Victoria Avenue was previously home to Victoria Park House, which was demolished 18 months ago.
Planning permission was granted in late 2018 for an office building to be built by new owner Hornbeam Park Developments. The plans proposed using the original facade, and the stonework was retained to do so.
Now, however, plans have been submitted by Long Marston-based Echo Green Developments, through agent Savills, to create nine residential apartments on the site, arguing attempts to market the building for office use had failed over a number of years.
Documents submitted as part of the application said the proposed building was of "traditional design" but that retaining the facade would no longer be possible. They said:
In response to the proposed change to residential, North Yorkshire Council's economic development unit said it accepted there was a limited market for commercial offices and there was plenty of vacant space elsewhere.
Plans for apartments on the site of the old Victoria Park House.
But the change of plan has drawn criticism from Harrogate Civic Society, for whom Henry Pankhurst wrote:
While the five objections received from members of the public were not against residential development, they raised other concerns.
Several residents of The Osborne apartments on South Park Road, which backs onto the site, have expressed worries about overshadowing from the new building, which has a larger footprint than the former office building.
Each of the three floors would have two two-bedroom apartments and one three-bedroom apartment, and there would be 18 parking spaces on the site.
Victoria Park House was one of Harrogate Borough Council's five office sites which was sold in 2016 for £1 million. Before that, it was home to the register office in Harrogate.
To view the application, visit the North Yorkshire Council planning website and use reference ZC23/01751/FUL.
Read more:
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- Council investigates planning breach claims at 53-home Harrogate site
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