Controversial Dunlopillo apartment plan approved

A controversial plan to demolish the former Dunlopillo office block in Pannal to make way for apartments has been approved.

Harrogate Borough Council has given the go-ahead for the plan, which was submitted by Leeds-based Johnson Mowat Planning.

The proposal will see the 1961 office block replaced by 48 one-and two-bedroom apartments.

Under the plans, the site will be split into two blocks, one with four storeys and another with six.

There will also be one car parking space per apartment plus additional spaces for visitors at the back of the building.

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However, the plans have proved controversial with residents, the parish council and Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, all criticising the development.

In a letter to the borough council, Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council said it could “give no credence” to the proposal.

It said:

“The current Dunlopillo building has suffered decades of neglect and exists as an eyesore within its environment. 

“Councillors and parishioners support its long-overdue demolition but can give no credence to the replacement and erection of a structure which – at a proposed 18 metre height, three metres above the current height – would exert an over-dominance and “mass” in its surrounds.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Jones this week called for a special planning committee to consider the development which he said. 

He also wrote to Michael Gove, communities secretary, to ask for him to intervene “should the council’s local planning powers not be sufficient to enable full scrutiny of the application”.

Mr Jones said the development should not have been lodged under the permitted development rights, which the application has been made under.

He said:

“Permitted development rights are to enable positive development and apply in specific circumstances to achieve a specific goal.  I do not believe that these rights were introduced for the situation in respect of this development in a semi-rural location.

“Such a significant proposal should go through the normal planning process, be thoroughly appraised by council officers and scrutinised by the councillors at a committee meeting where the public can also have their say.”

Johnson Mowat said in its planning documents submitted to the council that the scheme would be an improvement on the current empty office block, which has been deteriorating for several years.

Harrogate MP criticises Dunlopillo housing plan

The MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough has weighed in on a plan to demolish the former Dunlopillo offices in Pannal to make way for apartments.

Otley-based developer Quattro Property Group has submitted the plans, which would see the 1961 office block replaced by 48 one-and two-bedroom apartments.

However, Andrew Jones has criticised the plan and said should not have been lodged under the permitted development rights, which the application has been made under.

The proposal has also proved controversial among some residents, one describing the plan as “awful”.

Mr Jones has written Harrogate Borough Council to call for a special planning committee to scrutinise the proposal.

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He has also written to communities secretary, Michael Gove, to ask for him to intervene “should the council’s local planning powers not be sufficient to enable full scrutiny of the application”.

Mr Jones said on his community news website:

“Permitted development rights are to enable positive development and apply in specific circumstances to achieve a specific goal.  I do not believe that these rights were introduced for the situation in respect of this development in a semi-rural location.

“Such a significant proposal should go through the normal planning process, be thoroughly appraised by council officers and scrutinised by the councillors at a committee meeting where the public can also have their say.”

The proposal would be split into two blocks, one with four storeys and another with six.

There would also be one car parking space per apartment plus additional spaces for visitors at the back of the building.

Planning consultants Johnson Mowat has submitted planning documents to Harrogate Borough Council on behalf of the developer that says the scheme would be an improvement on the current empty office block, which has been deteriorating for several years.

 It says:

“This site has been a blot on the landscape for far too long and we are looking forward to delivering a high quality building.”

The Stray Ferret approached Johnson Mowat for comment, but did not receive a response.

What is permitted development?

Permitted development means that a developer can apply for certain types of applications to go ahead without the need for planning permission.

The last major change to permitted development rights was in 2015, under the Conservative-Liberal Democrat government. However, many changes have since been made since 2020 in response to covid.

Developers can also apply for “prior approval” to carry out a development under permitted development, such as converting retail or office space into homes.

In this case, the developer will ask whether prior permission is required before proceeding with a proposal.

It can take between 28 and 56 days for a council to grant approval to an application.

Pannal residents ‘erupt in fury’ at Dunlopillo housing plans

Plans have been submitted to demolish the former Dunlopillo office block in Pannal and build new apartments.

However, the proposal, which would see the new building being two storeys higher than the old one, has proved unpopular with local residents.

Otley-based developer Quattro Property Group has submitted the plans, which would see the 1961 office block demolished and replaced with 48 one-and two-bedroom apartments.

It would be split into two blocks, one with four storeys and another with six.

There would also be one car parking space per apartment plus additional spaces for visitors at the back of the building.

Planning consultants Johnson Mowat has submitted planning documents to Harrogate Borough Council on behalf of the developer that says the scheme would be an improvement on the current empty office block, which has been deteriorating for several years. It says:

“This site has been a blot on the landscape for far too long and we are looking forward to delivering a high quality building.”

A computer generated image of the plans.

Residents’ fury

Long-term Pannal resident Anne Smith, who has also written several books about the village, told the Stray Ferret residents had “erupted in fury” at the proposals and were mobilising to submit objections.

She said:

“It will look awful. It looks bad enough as it is. It will swamp Pannal. Forty-eight flats will mean up to 96 people.”

“Everybody I’ve spoken to in Pannal will put objections in.

“The building is a monstrosity and we in Pannal had hoped it was going to be demolished and replaced with smaller houses.”

The Stray Ferret asked Johnson Mowat to comment but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

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History of the site

From 1938 to 1949, the site was occupied by the Bintex factory, which manufactured radar equipment for use during the Second World War.

It was bought by rubber manufacturer Dunlop, which changed its name to Dunlopillo and made the site its headquarters.

It is estimated around 440 people worked there in its 1970s and 80s heyday producing pillows, mattresses, beds and latex cushioning for cars.

Much of the site has already been demolished and replaced with housing as well as the Vida Grange care home.

Plan for eight commercial units on former Dunlopillo site in Pannal

Developers have submitted plans for eight commercial units on the former Dunlopillo factory site in Pannal.

York-based Echo Green Developments has lodged the application which would be based to the northern part of the site on Thirkill Drive.

It would include 28 car parking spaces, 10 cycle spaces and two motorcycle spaces.

The developer said in its planning documents that the plan would “deliver much needed economic development” and that the site was earmarked as employment land by the council.

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Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

The move comes as the former Dunlopillo site has undergone redevelopment. Councillors gave permission to change the site into a mixed-use development back in 2015.

Much of the site has already been demolished and replaced with housing as well as the Vida Grange care home.

Housing plans set for ‘eyesore’ Dunlopillo office block in Pannal

Fresh plans look set to be submitted to convert the former Dunlopillo office block in Pannal into housing.

Hornbeam Park Developments Ltd bought the derelict building at the end of March and said it hopes to submit new planning permission proposals later this year. These will include residential apartments as well as industrial units to the rear of the building.

The block was built in 1961 but has been deteriorating for several years. Dunlopillo closed in 2008 but residents had long complained about the unpleasant smell emanating from the factory.

Much of the site has already been demolished and replaced with housing as well as the Vida Grange care home.

A spokesperson for Hornbeam Park said in a statement:

“Our intention is to continue with the proposed conversion of the former office building to residential (apartments) with industrial units proposed to the remainder.

“We expect to be in a position to submit a planning application in respect of the land adjacent Vida Grange this summer.”

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From 1938 to 1949 the site was occupied by the Bintex factory, which manufactured radar equipment for use during the Second World War.

It was bought by rubber manufacturer Dunlop, which changed its name to Dunlopillo and made the site its headquarters.

It is estimated around 440 people worked there in its 1970s and 80s heyday producing pillows, mattresses, beds and latex cushioning for cars.

The Dunlopillo building does not have a good legacy in Pannal. Photo: Anne Smith

Pannal historian Anne Smith, who has written several books on the village, said she welcomed plans to redevelop the office block.

She said:

“It’s an eyesore, but we’d rather it was demolished.

“Dunlopillo’s legacy in Pannal is not a good one. People will be glad to see the back of it. The smells from the factory were terrible.”