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27
Nov
Tree felling approved for £12.1 million Harrogate Station Gateway
Approval has been granted for three trees to be felled as part of the £12.1 million Harrogate Station Gateway scheme.
North Yorkshire Council applied to itself for permission to remove the trees on Station Square.
They include a mature Leyland cypress, a semi-mature Monterey pine and a semi-mature small-leaved lime. All three were judged to be in either a good or fair physiological condition in an arboricultural survey.
The trees will be chopped down, and the nearby tempietto destroyed, as part of plans to re-landscape Station Square and open it up to make it more suitable for hosting events.
Ten new trees will be planted to offset the loss.
Marcin Dane, the council's principal regeneration officer, said in planning documents:
This proposal is intended to allow the new landscaping and public realm while achieving a net gain of seven trees within the site.
A Christmas tree stands alongside some of the trees to be removed on Station Square.
The tempietto
Sustainable transport
The council is overseeing gateway schemes in Harrogate, Selby and Skipton, which are all predominantly funded by the government's Transforming Cities Fund.
Mr Dane says the Harrogate scheme is "part of a regional initiative to enhance accessible and sustainable transport options" and says the outcome will "enhance the ecological and visual appeal of Station Square".
His letter says the Harrogate project consists of:
- pedestrian improvements to Lower Station Parade and Station Parade, including paving, step-free crossing points and signal junction improvements
- a south-bound segregated cycle lane on Station Parade
- a new bus and cycle lane on Lower Station Parade
- improvements at the One Arch underpass
- improvements to the public space at Station Square
- cycle parking facilities at Harrogate Station
The plans have been revised significantly after the council admitted its previous proposals, which included reducing Station Parade to single-lane traffic and pedestrianising part of James Street, breached public law.
The council is expected to choose between either construction firm Galliford Try or council-owned NY Highways to carry out the scheme.
That decision is expected before the end of the year before work commences in spring.
The final plans have not gone out to public consultation.
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