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08
Oct 2024
1,300-home Ripon barracks development under fire at city council meeting
Plans for the redevelopment of Ripon's historic barracks site came under fire on two fronts last night.
David Rowlinson and Tom Baker of Homes England - the government's housing and regeneration agency - attended the city council's full meeting to provide a progress report on transport measures and proposals for military heritage related to the huge Clotherholme scheme,
They revealed that a start on site is anticipated for 2026 and that the first houses at the phased 1,300-home development will be on sale in 2027 or 2028.
However, the meeting heard that the barracks land currently remains in the ownership of the Ministry of Defence - a fact picked up by city council leader Andrew Williams, who said:
With conflicts across the globe, things have changed from when this development was first proposed and I suspect that much of this scheme will never come to fruition, because Claro Barracks is increasingly needed as a base for training Royal Engineers to meet the UK's military commitments and requirements.
Mr Rowlinson and Mr Baker, did not comment on Cllr Williams' claim as they presented their updates on the scheme, but what they respectively said on transport and military heritage came in for criticism.
On the transport front, Mr Rowlinson told councillors that the development would involve 28 'interventions' to enable Ripon to cope with the increased traffic that the development will generate.
These will include key junction improvements at Skellgate, Coltsgate Hill/North Street, the clocktower junction and Westgate/ Blossomgate
Councillor Pauline McHardy said:
The traffic sudy on which the proposals are based is flawed, because it was was carried out during the school holidays when there were fewer vehicles on the roads.
We are now facing a future of continuous chaos on the city's street.
Mr Baker said £100,000 was being set aside to enable Ripon Military Heritage Trust to conduct a feasibility study to investigate whether a deliverable and viable scheme can be developed to retain rare military buildings on the site, but Cllr Barbara Brodigan pointed out:
In spite of numerous meetings with Homes Engalnd, we are yet to see any specific or tangible offer of an area of land where these bulidings could be located.
For the people of Ripon, these are part of our history and the city's heritage and must be retained.
Ripon Military Heritage Trust wants to retain rare military huts on the barracks site. Pic: RMHT
What is included in the development?
The Clotherholme scheme will include 370 new affordable homes for local people, split between affordable rent and shared ownership
There will be a new primary school next to a new local neighbourhood centre with shops, a café, employment and training facilities and community space.
A total of 5% of the site will be dedicated to custom build homes providing up to 60 extra care / assisted living homes.
Financial contributions, which are legally binding under a Section 106 agreement will include:
£2.7m towards a two-form entry primary school, which will be built at the neighbourhood centre in the middle of Clotherholme.
£1.9m towards the expansion of local secondary education.
£1.07 million towards improved healthcare buildings and facilities in Ripon.
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