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17
Oct
Council considers enforcement action at Harrogate site
North Yorkshire Council is considering enforcement action at a site that had been earmarked for a new car wash in Harrogate.
Plans to open a car wash and valeting station at the former Jewson builder's merchant on Skipton Road were sent to the council last December.
But the plans, which were submitted by a man from Leeds, were withdrawn in March.
A local business owner this week alerted the Stray Ferret to what he described as signs of a new operation being established at the site.
The man, who asked to remain anonymous, alleged work was going ahead without relevant planning permission.
He told the Stray Ferret:
Skipton Road is a nightmare to drive already, and the application was withdrawn in March. But some people think they can do whatever they want and there isn’t any planning permission for this site.
The Stray Ferret visited the site on Monday (October 14), where we spoke to a man who was sweeping the ground.
When asked if the site was set to become a car wash, the man initially said, “I think so” but then said he did not know when we asked further questions.
He added the best person to speak to was not available.
Workers at the site.
The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council if fresh plans had been approved at the site, despite there being no updates on its planning portal, and put allegations of work commencing without approval to the authority.
We also asked if the council is aware of a business operating at the site.
Martin Grainger, the council's head of development management, said:
An application for ‘change of use of land to car wash with valet bay and associated works’ was submitted in December 2023 and withdrawn in March 2024. No further application has been submitted.
We have an ongoing enforcement case at the site regarding the use which will determine whether we take any action on the matter.
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