Abandoned Ripon redevelopment site is up for auction

New life could be breathed into an abandoned Ripon redevelopment site, which formerly housed the city’s first public library.

The site at Skellgarths/Water Skellgate has planning approval for six terraced houses and is up for sale by auction, with a guide price of £500,000.

Harrogate-based estate agents FSS has described the plot as:

“An ideal opportunity to acquire a site with planning approval for six terraced houses, in two blocks of three, together with the freehold of 18 Water Skellgate, which comprises of a recently converted detached building containing five apartments.”

The online auction is due to take place at 3pm on September 14.

The site is in Ripon’s conservation area, in close proximity to Ripon Cathedral and on the route to prime tourist attractions — Fountains Abbey in one direction and Newby Hall in the other. It is also one of the main thoroughfares leading to the city centre.

Following demolition of the library nine years ago, a start was made on the proposed residential redevelopment of the plot, but this came to a halt and the site became an overgrown eyesore that was initially fenced off with steel barriers.

After a call for action by Ripon councillors, more permanent hoardings were erected in 2020 by Harrogate Borough Council workmen.

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