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27
Aug
Rejuvenation plans for Ripon Spa Baths set for approval
North Yorkshire Council planning officers are recommending that permission be granted to plans for the rejuvenation of Ripon’s Spa Baths.
The application by Ripon-based property investment and development company Sterne Properties Limited, will go before the area planning committee next Monday (September 2) at a meeting in Ripon Town Hall starting at 1pm.
Permission is being sought for a mixed-used hospitality-led scheme.
The proposed development includes the demolition of the existing swimming pool hall at the rear of the main Spa Baths building, the conversion of the remaining part of the Spa Baths building into commercial units, including a rear extension, and the conversion of the former boiler house and water tower into offices.
The development would also include the construction of four two-bedroom residential flats to the rear of the Park Street site. following the demolition of the swimming pool hall.
The iconic grade two listed building, which includes ornate tiles, stained glass, period lighting and other features dates back to 1905.
The proposals are supported by Ripon City Council and Ripon Civic Society.
In recommending approval, planners have highlighted a number of public benefits that they say will arise from the scheme.
These include bringing a vacant listed building back into use, enhancements to the setting of the building and the reinstatement of links to the adjacent Spa Gardens.
The planners’ report, added that provision of new commercial units and offices would contribute to the vitality and viability of Ripon city centre, while new housing would contribute to the supply of homes in the area.
An architect's perspective of how the building will look. Image: architecture:ab
The Spa Baths, which formerly belonged to the now-defunct Harrogate Borough Council, closed in November 2021 four months before the city's new swimming pool opened at the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre on Dallamires Lane.
Since then the building - now in the ownership of North Yorkshire Council - has fallen into a state of disrepair and weeds can be seen growing out of its masonry.
Ripon Civic Society, whose green plaque on the building highlights its historic and heritage importance, wrote to council planners in November, calling for swift action on determinsation of the planning application.
The society, said:
We give this scheme our strong support as being the best chance of allowing the site to survive.
We would urge a speedy grant of planning permission and listed building consent to allow work to begin as soon as possible.
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