A Ripon solicitors’ revised plans for a replacement roof incorporating 14 solar panels have been slated by Historic England.

Newtons Solicitors relocated from Duck Hill to new, larger premises at 36  Market Place South last year.

It is now seeking planning permission for the roof which, if approved, would be constructed from modern Brazilian slate to the front and rear elevations, with solar panels on the roof at the back of the property.

A previous application submitted to North Yorkshire Council in June was refused, but a revised plan will be considered at this evening’s full Ripon City Council meeting at the town hall — two doors down from Newtons’ offices.

Newtons’ office (right) are in close proximity to the grade II listed Ripon Town Hall

City councillors will have the opportunity to make their observations this evening, but Historic England, which is the government’s statutory adviser on the historic environment, has already submitted its comments to North Yorkshire planners.

In a letter dated November 30, which can be seen on the North Yorkshire Council planning portal, the heritage watchdog, said:

“The replacement of the traditional stone slate roof with a new Brazilian slate material would result in unjustified harm to Ripon Conservation Area.”

It added:

“We do not consider that there is any justification for the level of harm arising from the proposed removal of a traditional stone roof and its replacement in slate.

“We are not supportive of these proposals. We cannot find any legitimacy in the applicant’s position that the removal of a historical stone roof and its replacement with a contrasting material is any sort of enhancement to the special architectural or historic interest of the conservation area.

“The stone slate roof is a legitimate part of the positive contribution this building makes to the conservation area. Therefore, its loss both with regard to the physical fabric and the associated loss of context would dilute its historical appearance and would be irrefutably harmful.”

‘Minor visual impact’

A planning, design and heritage statement prepared on behalf of Newtons by planning experts CLB Heritage, claimed:

“36 Market Place South is of no heritage interest as a 19th century building with later 20th century alteration. The adjacent listed buildings are of significance, but the row contributes positively overall to the character and appearance of the Ripon Conservation Area.”

It added:

“The change from stone to Welsh (or similar) slate roof tiles will have a very minor visual impact. The impact is reduced because the Welsh slate is a key feature in Ripon Market Place as set out in the conservation area appraisal.”

‘No harm done’

With regard to the impact on the conservation area, CLB concluded:

“No harm has been identified to the significance or setting of the surrounding listed buildings or conservation area. On balance, the works preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area, utilising a traditional and predominantly used material.”

Main picture: The solicitors’ offices are within the Ripon Conservation Area.

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Ripon’s food and drink hotspot may see a new hospitality business arriving in the New Year following the submission of a planning application to North Yorkshire Council.

The application for a change of use would, if approved, see the former offices of Newtons Solicitors at 4 Duck Hill turned into a restaurant and hot food takeaway.

The potential operator is un-named in the application which, if successful, would see the restaurant and takeaway using the ground and upper floor of the building.

The Silva Bells restaurant opened in March

It has been a busy year for property deals in this part of the city, with the Bikemongers off-road cycling retailer relocating last week to 2 Kirkgate, from its former base on Duck Hill and transactions that saw two new hospitality business open.

The Silva Bells opened in March in premises formerly occupied by the Bambudda Asian fusion restaurant at 23-25 Kirkgate and further up the street, The Portly Pig bottleshop and taproom, owned by Adam Coulson, opened in September in a historic building that was previously home to the Oasis florists and, before that, the Ripon Gazette newspaper office.

Main picture: The premises at 4 Duck Hill have been vacant since Newtons Solicitors relocated to Market Place South

Read more:

• New restaurant adds to Ripon’s hospitality offer
• Bottleshop and taproom opens in historic Ripon premises

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Newtons Solicitors is to move to larger premises in Ripon.

The Harrogate-based firm has nine offices across Yorkshire and the North East; it employs 90 staff and has an annual fee income of £6m.  It’s current Ripon office is based on Kirkgate.

Managing director Chris Newton told the Stray Ferret:

“An opportunity arose to purchase our own premises in Ripon. The Ripon office is very good for business.

“We saw a good new location in Market Square and seized the opportunity. It’s the old Yorkshire Bank office and needs a lot of refurbishment work. That work is underway and we hope to be in by November in time for Christmas. “

Six staff work at the current Kirkgate Ripon office. Mr Newton said he hoped that number would expand with the new premises.

The interior of the building on Market Square

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New charity store in Harrogate

The charity has secured the site of the former Porters store on Oxford Street as part of its plans to open shops on every high street in Yorkshire.

Yorkshire Cancer Research has been based in the spa town of Harrogate since 1978.

Funds raised at the shop will help fund research to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer in Yorkshire.

Juliet Glendinning, director of Yorkshire Cancer Research said:

“Harrogate has been home to Yorkshire Cancer Research for over four decades, and we have always felt very lucky to be an integral part of this beautiful town…

“With the opening of a new shop in the heart of the town, we look forward to becoming an even bigger part of the fabric of Harrogate.

“Our charity shops play a vital role in raising funds to support pioneering research, and the new store means we can offer volunteering and employment opportunities while contributing to the local high street.”

The new shop will be run by manager Kate Morris, who said:

“I am so excited about the opening of a Yorkshire Cancer Research shop in Harrogate. It is so great working for Yorkshire Cancer Research, knowing that we are playing a part in raising money to fund vital research and really having an impact on the lives of people with cancer, right here in Yorkshire.”

While the shop is being prepared for opening, good quality clothes, homewares, toys, books, small electrical and furniture can be dropped off at the charity’s donation centre at i2D Hornbeam Park Oval, Harrogate, HG2 8RB. The donation centre is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.