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Nov 2020

Last Updated: 12/11/2020

Politics

Ripon's MP supports action on unsafe building

by Tim Flanagan

| 11 Nov, 2020

Owners and tenants of four Ripon homes in danger of collapsing, say emergency action must be taken to protect passers-by, neighbouring properties and road users.

ripon-10th-nov-2020-mat-pritchard-at-peacocks-passage-3

Ripon’s MP, Julian Smith, is supporting property owners and tenants in their call for urgent action over homes in danger of collapse.

Mr Smith has contacted local authorities in an attempt to facilitate an urgent meeting about the situation.

Mat Pritchard, Chair of Bedern Court Ltd (BCL), a not-for-profit company controlled by leaseholders and owners, said:

“We are thankful to Mr Smith for his decisive intervention.

“He clearly recognises the need to act quickly and has responded to our call for emergency planning authorities to meet with us.”

Mr Pritchard added:

“The seriousness of our situation can be seen in the fact that Peacock’s Passage, just next to our building, has been barriered off and chained up because it isn’t safe for people to use as a footpath.”

Subsidence, that saw large cracks opening up in external and internal walls, led to the evacuation of four properties last month – 1, 3 and 5 Bedern Court and 17 Skellgarths.

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They are part of the same block, in the brick-built 29-property residential complex, which opened in 1986.

Peacock’s Passage, which also shows visible signs of subsidence, runs between Bedern Court and the adjacent Sanctuary Court and links Skellgarths to Kirkgate.

The footpath closure was granted after BCL contacted North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC).

Melisa Burnham, highways area manager, for NYCC, said:

“North Yorkshire County Council, as the Local Highway Authority, has closed the footpath as a precautionary measure at the request of Harrogate Borough Council Emergency Planning team.

"It is Harrogate Borough Council’s responsibility to co-ordinate future actions, but our highways team will continue to assist where required.”

Mr. Smith was contacted by BCL, because of the precarious and worsening condition of the block and the potential danger it poses to passers-by, adjacent properties and road users.

Mr Pritchard pointed out:

“BCL has taken all appropriate actions and is doing everything in its power to protect residents and other people, but with the unpredictable nature of sink holes in Ripon and the unsafe state of the block, we need the authorities to act, and act quickly.”

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