Clean-up begins after travellers leave KnaresboroughDecision delayed on £13m Knaresborough Leisure Centre after residents not invited to speak at meeting

A decision on a planned £13 million leisure centre in Knaresborough has been delayed after a “technical error” meant residents were not invited to speak at a meeting.

Harrogate Borough Council was due to make a decision on its own plans yesterday, but this has now been pushed back to a “later date”.

A council spokesperson said: 

“Unfortunately, due to an unforeseen issue, the notification to advise interested parties of the opportunity to speak at today’s planning committee about the Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre proposals, was not sent.

“We will ensure this issue is resolved and interested parties will be notified as soon as a new decision date has been arranged.

“We apologise for any confusion caused and to those residents who unfortunately were unaware of the deferral and attended the committee meeting.”

The proposed leisure centre includes a six-lane pool and exercise studios, and has been hailed by the council as a “fit-for-purpose” facility to meet growing needs.

However, several concerns have been raised since the plans were first revealed two years ago, particularly as the proposals involve building over a play area and the demolition of the existing Knaresborough Swimming Pool at Fysche Field.

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There are also concerns over the environmental impacts of demolishing a large building to replace it with another.

Knaresborough Civic Society has called on councillors to reject the plans in favour of rival proposals from the ‘Not on Fysche Field’ campaign group which has produced designs to upgrade the 30-year-old swimming pool.

A civic society spokesperson previously said: 

“Knaresborough Civic Society urges the planning committee to reject this short-sighted recommendation in favour of an alternative solution which will not result in the loss of mature trees, vital outdoor play facilities and green space.

“We have played an active role in campaigning for a more considered approach to this project and have made our views clear that building on the existing site – as was promised at the public consultation – should be the preferred option.”

The public consultation on five potential locations for the leisure centre referred to locating it “on the site of the existing pool”.

However, it was only several months after this that the council revealed it wants to build the facility over a play area behind the existing swimming pool.

The other locations previously considered included Knaresborough House, Hay-a-Park, Conyngham Hall and a plot of land at Halfpenny Lane.

Knaresborough pool proposal ‘environmental vandalism’, says campaigner

The leader of a Knaresborough group fighting to stop a new swimming pool being built on a green field has described the plans as “environmental vandalism of the highest order”.

David Hull set up Not on Fysche Field (Not Off) when Harrogate Borough Council proposed a new Knaresborough leisure centre and suggested it could be built on the park alongside the current site.

Mr Hull handed in a 600-name petition to the council last night opposing the plans and read a strongly worded statement.

He said:

“This proposal to build on Fysche field park has been a complete shambles from day one.

“Harrogate Borough Council have behaved in a totally selfish and arrogant fashion by deliberately withholding information and not being honest with the public.

“The people are speaking and need to be heard. They don’t want or need this environmentally destructive development on Fysche field.

“Building a brand new pool right next to a perfectly functioning one is environmental vandalism of the highest accord.”

Mr Hull’s petition calls for any new leisure centre to be built on the existing footprint rather than moving it onto the green field adjacent.

The council’s current favoured plan is to build the new leisure centre on the play area to the side of the leisure centre rather than the green space. But the threat to the park remains.

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During his presentation last night, Mr Hull read comments from individuals who he said supported the campaign. One questioned whether councillors were “getting rich” from this development.

This drew a strong rebuke from council leader Richard Cooper, who said councillors shouldn’t be “slighted or demeaned” in this way.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret today, Mr Hull said:

“We wanted to demonstrate that the community is not saying no to the development. We support a sensitive development but it needs to be sympathetic to the local area.”

Mr Hull added that greater transparency from the council would stop people holding so many negative opinions.

Campaigners criticise Knaresborough leisure centre plans

A campaign group has launched fresh criticism at plans to demolish Knaresborough Swimming Pool to make way for a new leisure centre.

The ‘Not On Fysche Field’ campaign was launched by resident David Hull who said he has gathered the support of around 940 others against the plans from Harrogate Borough Council which today revealed new images and details.

The council wants to build the new facility over a play area behind the existing pool at Fysche Field.

But Mr Hull claims there is little support for the plans and described them as “badly conceived”.

He said:

“None of the Knaresborough community have asked for this new development.

“The council issued a poorly publicised consultation document over the Christmas period of December 2020 asking not whether Knaresborough wanted a new facility, but simply where it was to be built.

“The idea of building on the park has no local support.

“Furthermore, it demonstrates complete lack of environmental awareness as the new facility will be built on the extremely valuable green park right next to the perfectly adequate existing facility.”

Out of 471 respondents who took part in the consultation, 80% were in favour of locating the new leisure centre at the existing 30-year-old swimming pool site.

Other sites considered included Knaresborough House, Hay-a-Park, Conyngham Hall and a private plot of land at Halfpenny Lane.

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Some residents described the existing swimming pool site as the “best” and “only appropriate” location for the facility.

However, concerns were raised over the loss of green space and up until now the council had not revealed exactly where the new leisure centre could be built at Fysche Field.

Its preferred option is to build over a play area behind the existing swimming pool, but building partly over Fysche Field itself is still an option on the table.

Other options included building over the footprint of the existing pool, but these have been ruled out as the council said this would result in two years’ loss of service and income.

Campaigners’ alternative plan

Meanwhile, Mr Hull and his campaign group have brought forward their own proposals which he said would result in no loss of green space at the play area or field.

He said: 

“The alternative approach is to extend the existing pool at first floor level, over the existing car park area.

“This extension will provide all the space required for fitness suites etc.

“The existing pool and wet areas can simply be refurbished. This build will be a lightweight framed structure, with a low environmental impact, and built from sustainable materials.”

The council’s plans include a 25-metre pool, learner pool, sauna and steam room, fitness studio, replacement play area and cafe.

Cllr Stanley Lumley, the council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, described the proposals as “ambitious” and said they would create a “21st century facility that provides fantastic opportunities for local people”.

A planning application from the council is expected later in autumn and if approved, the new facility could be built by the end of 2023.

Residents are being urged to have their say on the plans as part of the consultation which will run until 24 October.

The council has now asked for residents to share their views online ahead of a formal planning application

‘Ambitious plans’ for new Knaresborough leisure centre revealed

Harrogate Borough Council has revealed how its proposed new multi-million pound leisure centre in Knaresborough will look.

The council plans to build the new facility on the site of Knaresborough Pool on King James Road by spring 2023.

The new centre will have a six-lane, 25-metre pool, learner pool with flume, sauna and steam room, fitness suite and studio and spin studio.

Designs also show that it will have a café, electric car charging points, bicycle storage and a large play area.

The council has said it would prefer to build the centre towards the rear of the existing pool, where the play park is currently located, rather than build on Fysche field.

Knaresborough Pool would remain open throughout construction. When the new building opens, the council would demolish the existing pool and create a new play area in its place.

An aerial view of the plans.

However, the council is keeping the option of building on Fysche field on the table as “option B” under the plans.

If the council went ahead with building on Fysche field then it would create a new green space in place of Knaresborough Pool.

Some Knaresborough people are concerned Fysche field and the adjoining children’s playground area could be lost and have a launched a campaign to “protect central Knaresborough’s only recreational green space from being concreted over”.

Share your views on the Knaresborough leisure centre plans

The council has now asked for residents to share their views online ahead of a formal planning application. It will also host an in-person consultation at Knaresborough Pool on October 6 between 5pm and 8pm.

Cllr Stanley Lumley, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, and chair of the board of directors at Brimhams Active, said:

“We have ambitious plans to reduce the proportion of the population that are physically inactive but we can’t do this without investing in our facilities.

“This multi-million pound investment for Knaresborough will create a 21st century facility that provides fantastic opportunities for local people to move more, live well and feel great.

“Along with our new facility in Ripon and the redevelopment of the Hydro in Harrogate, as well as the districts other great leisure centres and pools, I hope people feel motivated, supported and inspired to stay active.”

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Mark Tweedie, managing director of Brimhams Active, said:

“Through the provision of fantastic modern leisure and wellness facilities and engaging, inclusive services we will be able to help many more people become active, lead healthier lifestyles and therefore live longer, more independent and happier lives.”

James Foley, commercial director for Alliance Leisure Services, said:

“The proposed transformation for Knaresborough has the capability to create a hugely positive impact within the community for generations to come.”

Backlash over search for locations

The current site was one of four options, along with Conyngham Hall, Knaresborough House and Hay-a-Park under consideration for the new leisure centre last year.

The council faced a backlash for considering Grade II* listed Conyngham Hall, with Knaresborough Civic Society among those opposing the move.

A Hands Off Conyngham Hall Grounds petition by the Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats attracted more than 1,600 signatures.

Knaresborough campaigner: ‘This park will be lost unless we speak up’

Campaigners in Knaresborough fighting a leisure centre and swimming pool being built on a park have accused Harrogate Borough Council of “not being honest” about the location of the new site.

A photo taken yesterday appears to show exploratory work for the new facility taking place on Fysche Field, next to the current swimming pool.

The council plans to build a new leisure centre to replace the town’s existing pool and begun drawing up designs earlier this year. A public consultation found over 80% of respondents were in support of the site, which is now the council’s preferred location.

However, some residents have criticised the consultation process and launched a campaign to protect the playing field next to the leisure centre from development.

They believe the consultation was flawed because it did not make it clear that the field next to the current pool could also be built on.

Campaigner David Hull, who set up a website against the development, took a photo that appeared to show drilling rigs and piling machines, which are used to drill holes.

Mr Hull told the Stray Ferret he believes the photo shows the council is intent on pressing ahead with its plan to build on the park.

He said:

“It is now abundantly clear to everyone that the intention is to build on the green park and not the existing pool site.

“We’ve had enough of this and this park will be lost unless we speak up.

“The council are being disingenuous and not being honest with people”.

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A council spokesperson said:

“The current facility in Knaresborough is nearing 30 years old, only provides a swimming pool and has a number of on-going maintenance issues which are not resolvable without significant investment.

“As part of the design feasibility work, we are currently carrying out ground investigations across the entire existing site. This is normal for a project of this scale and does not pre-empt any preferred design or layout for the new leisure centre.

“When plans have been submitted they will be subject to the normal planning application process.

“Once completed, the new leisure centre will provide energy efficient, state-of-the art facilities that will encourage a healthier and more active lifestyle for our residents and something they can be proud of.”

Knaresborough Pool reopened yesterday after being closed since last summer following a problem with the pool’s filters.