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25
Oct 2023
Proposals to revive Starbeck's 'burnt-out shell' due by Christmas
A public exhibition on plans to bring the former McColl's building in Starbeck back into use is expected to be held before Christmas.
The empty High Street building has blighted High Street since it was ravaged by fire five years ago.
In an article on his Community News website, Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative MP Andrew Jones said plans for ground floor retail and flats above were finally coming to fruition.
Mr Jones, who described the building as "a burnt-out shell" that local people and residents’ groups were keen to see redeveloped, commented after meeting the owner of the site.
The article said the site owner, who was not named, "outlined the various issues they have had with developing a proposal" but "were able to reassure Mr Jones that they would be bringing a scheme forward very soon".
It added the owner and architect hoped to run a public exhibition in Starbeck before Christmas "so that Starbeck residents can examine the proposals and have their say".
Mr Jones said:
A five-year eyesore
The building was painted last year.
The historic building in the centre of Starbeck was originally a Harper's grocery store and still bears the name. It continued to function as a supermarket but was vacant when fire broke out in July 2018.
It was brightened up last year when regulars at the nearby Prince of Wales pub painted it in the blue and yellow colours of the Ukraine flag.
However, its size, history and prominence lead many to regard it as a key part of regenerating Starbeck.
Harrogate Borough Council, which was abolished in April, approved plans submitted by Leeds-based developer Bates & Hemingborough in November 2021 to demolish the building.
The owner hoped to build retail and housing units on the site but a formal planning application for the development did not proceed after the council asked for safety documents, which were later submitted, addressing how the demolition would impact the adjacent St Andrew’s Church.
Planning agent Pete Gleave from Zerum Consulting told the Stray Ferret in February last year the developer would "was looking to progress the redevelopment of the site as quickly as possible and will be working up a planning application in the coming months" but the building remains derelict.
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