Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
03
Jun
Regeneration of former Ripon petrol station site set for approval
Proposals that will rid Ripon of a long-standing eyesore remain on track following a planning meeting in the city’s town hall yesterday afternoon.
Councillors rejected a planning officer’s recommendation to refuse plans to regenerate the site at Skellbank formerly occupied by an Express petrol station and convenience store by building flats.
The scheme, involving clearance of the site and construction of a four-storey block of flats with undercroft parking for four vehicles, was described in a report by planning case officer Mike Parkes, as:
A form of development that is not sympathetic to the surrounding built environment of the conservation area.
The report also said that the eaves height of the proposed building exceeds that of the neighbouring listed building, the application lacks detail and the harm caused to the designated heritage assets of Ripon Conservation Area and the adjacent listed building would outweigh the normal benefit of providing housing accommodation.
Mr Parkes' report added:
The absence of any appropriate gypsum report and ground stability declaration form is also, in the circumstance of an unsupportable application, a further refusal reason.
The reasons for refusal put forward were not accepted at yesterday's meeting of North Yorkshire Council’s Skipton and Ripon area planning committee, where members voted 4-1 in favour, with one abstention, of a motion by Councillor Barbara Brodigan, which said:
We are minded to support this application, subject to a satisfactory gypsum report.
It was agreed that a decision on the application would be deferred and brought back, along with planning conditiitions drawn up by council officers, to a future committee meeting for consideration by councillors.
The plans for the Skellbank site had previously received unanimous support from Ripon City Council and backing from Ripon Civic Society.
Liberal Democrat Cllr Brodigan, who respresents the Ure Bank and Spa division where the proposed development is located, said:
This site is currently in a derelict state and we need to take on board the feelings of people who live locally and the city council, who have been calling for 20 years to have this eyesore removed.
The new homes that will be created here are needed, the design is compatible with the area and the plans include sufficent off-street parking.
Conservative councillor Nick Brown, who respresents Wathvale and Bishop Monkton, said:
It is clear that a great deal of effort has gone in to making sure that the design of the scheme is in keeping with the area.
Local people, the city council and civic society are in favour of the development and I can't see what more the applicant can be asked to do to improve on these proposals.
0