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26
May
Public highway converted to private road in Harrogate
The public highway outside Harrogate’s former council offices in Crescent Gardens has been converted into a private road.
‘Private Road’ signs have been erected on planters at the intersections with Swan Road and Montpellier Road.
Harrogate-based property developer Impala Estates bought the former Harrogate Borough Council headquarters for £4 million in 2020. It has planning permission to convert it into offices, a roof garden restaurant and gym, and create a two-storey extension.
Impala said today (May 26) it had “taken ownership” of the road after reaching an agreement with North Yorkshire Council, which is the highways authority.
The company said in a statement:
Impala Estates, in collaboration with North Yorkshire Council, has successfully developed a carefully considered highways solution for Crescent Gardens, paving the way for transformative public realm improvements that will enhance one of Harrogate’s most significant heritage sites.
Through this partnership, Impala Estates has taken ownership of the road in front of Crescent Gardens allowing the next phase of the landmark redevelopment to move forward while prioritising public access and local amenities.
The scheme has been designed to reduce vehicle movements along the building’s frontage, creating a safer, more accessible space for pedestrians and cyclists. This thoughtful approach will contribute to a more permeable, traffic-free environment around one of Harrogate’s key heritage assets.
The intersection with Swan Road.
Stopping up order
The Stray Ferret reported Impala had submitted plans to convert the highway into a private road in November 2023.
We subsequently reported in June last year that North Yorkshire Council had approved the plans, which would involve the loss of 35 public parking spaces, and was expected to apply to the Department for Transport for a stopping up order that would formally close the road to public vehicles.
Director James Hartley said today the move would create a “safer, greener, and more vibrant town centre”, adding:
The revised traffic strategy not only enhances the historic setting but also enables us to better coordinate the construction process, reducing the impact of contractor access and vehicle movements on nearby residents and businesses. By managing site coordination more efficiently, we can ensure the build phase proceeds with minimal disruption to the local community.
We asked Mr Hartley whether the stopping up order had been secured and how much Impala had paid the council for the road. We will publish his response when it arrives.
The Georgian-style Crescent Gardens served as council offices until 2017. Since acquiring the property in 2020, Impala Estates has installed triple-glazed windows, undertaken repointing and stonework repairs and built substations and EV charging infrastructure.
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