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17
Apr
Council outlines position on roller shutters amid Knaresborough High Street concerns
North Yorkshire Council has said security roller shutters are not banned on Knaresborough High Street despite concerns about their impact.
The Stray Ferret reported widespread concerns about the state of the street in this article last weekend.
Some people claimed the growing number of security rollers shutters was making the town look run-down and called for the council to act against shops that have them.
Councillor Hannah Gostlow, a Liberal Democrat town and county councillor, said local planning policy prohibited the installation of roller shutters because of the negative impact they have on the High Street, which is part of Knaresborough Conservation Area.
The Stray Ferret asked the council to clarify its policy on shopfront development, and whether it was taking any action to control their spread in Knaresborough in light of the concerns.
Trevor Watson, the council’s assistant director for planning, said Knaresborough benefited from extra legal protection due to its conservation area status as well as listed buildings, which place a greater emphasis on maintaining the historic character of shopfronts.
He said a design guide “provides a strategy for assessing planning applications for shopfront developments in the Harrogate and Knaresborough areas” but added:
There is no blanket ban on security roller shutters, but our guide emphasises a careful balance between the security needs of businesses and the preservation of the area's visual character and amenities.
Applications for roller shutters are assessed on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as design, materials and the impact on the area. When we receive complaints on shopfront alterations, including installing roller shutters, we will assess if enforcement action needs to be taken against any unauthorised work.
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