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Dec 2020

Last Updated: 14/12/2020

Business

Ripon should be 'meeting place of choice' says Civic Society

by Tim Flanagan

| 14 Dec, 2020

The appointment of consultants to draw up a masterplan for Ripon has been welcomed by the Civic Society. Ripon is on the cusp of significant population growth but tourism has suffered this year with two of its major hotels closing.

Ripon Civic Society (RCS) has welcomed the move by Harrogate Borough Council to appoint consultants who will draw up a masterplan for the city.

RCS chair Christopher Hughes told the Stray Ferret:

“As one of the founder signatories of the Neighbourhood Plan for Ripon, we look forward to sharing our thoughts with the selected consultants.”

The society believes that people with an informed knowledge of the city, its planning issues and opportunities, should play a key role in guiding Ripon’s future direction. The city has suffered this year with the pandemic, with both the Ripon Spa Hotel and the Old Deanery closing down.

With a fee of £85,000 for a 12-month contract, consultants will be tasked with devising an "inspiring and innovative" vision that will be at the heart of the Ripon Renewal Project.

The contract is due to start on January 10.

The move to develop a masterplan for the city comes at a time when future growth is on the horizon.

The major Barracks scheme known as Clotherholme will see Homes England deliver 1,300 homes in a number of phases on the outskirts of Ripon.

In the city centre, Ripon’s ancient Cathedral is planning its most significant development in centuries, with a £6 million extension, designed to provide modern facilities and additional space.

Mr Hughes pointed out:

“The society has always believed in adopting an holistic approach, which takes account of the things that make Ripon special, such as its heritage assets, Market Square and spa quarter.”

He added:

“There is also a need to look at how people arrive in Ripon – and how they move around when they get here in this very walkable city.

“If we get it right, there is the opportunity to position our city as the meeting place of choice.”

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The appointed consultants will have to set out “clear and robust” delivery timescales, funding options and a business case for Harrogate Borough Council to use to bid for money for projects.

The contract brief says:

“The aim of this project is to maximise the opportunities within Ripon which will regenerate the city and boost the local economy."

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Ripon should be 'meeting place of choice' says Civic Society

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