Planning consent has been granted for the demolition of a block of four empty homes in Ripon’s conservation area, which have been affected by subsidence and sinkhole issues.
The properties at 1,3 and 5 Bedern Court and 17 Skellgarths, were evacuated in October 2020 after being deemed unsafe for habitation.
A section of Peacock’s Passage, which is adjacent to the site, has been fenced off ever since.
Permission has also been granted for steps (pictured below) to be demolished and for the erection of hoardings following demolition of the block, so the area can be enclosed while investigation of the site is carried out.
A report from Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) planners states that:
“Demolition of the buildings is considered appropriate to ensure safety within the conservation area and to allow for investigations to determine an appropriate redevelopment of the site.”
The report says that the four properties:
“Have been adversely affected by the local ground conditions that arise notably from the dissolution of gypsum.”
It also points out that HBC’s building control officers:
“Have been involved with these buildings as a dangerous structure in recent months so we are aware of the concerns regarding their stability.”
Bedern Court Ltd, a not-for-profit company controlled by owners and leaseholders with houses and apartments in the 29-unit residential development, employed engineers to monitor and report for more than a decade on signs of movement in the affected block, after subsidence occurred on an adjacent site.
With signs that subsidence causing damage to the block of the four properties is continuing, the application seeking permission to demolish was submitted to HBC in September.
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