The new Knaresborough leisure centre is set to be built on the same site as the current one, it was revealed today.

Harrogate Borough Council said it had chosen the existing site on King James Road as its preferred option.

It was one of four options, along with Conyngham Hall, Knaresborough House and Hay-a-Park under consideration.

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.

But that option now seems to be off the table.

Conyngham Hall appears to be off the table.

Ian Clark, Knaresborough Civic Society’s secretary, welcomed the decision. He told the Stray Ferret:

“This is good news for many people in Knaresborough. Conyngham Hall was not a suitable option for a leisure centre.

“It would not have done the historic building any favours if they built a new site right next to it and replaced park land with a car park.”

The decision is likely to be ratified at a council cabinet meeting on December 2. Residents will then be consulted on whether they agree.

Local property consultants Carter Jonas looked at the leisure centre options.

The council said the decision was based on factors including location, physical appearance, access as well as planning and legal issues.

A new £10 million leisure centre is also being built in Ripon. It will have a six-lane, 25-metre pool, an extended gym and sauna suite, three activity studios and meeting rooms.

Leisure services plans for the district take a step forward

Harrogate Borough Council also announce today is was set to appoint Alliance Leisure Services as its development manager for leisure.

The company, based in Somerset, will be responsible for the delivery of investment in leisure sites in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

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Councillor Stanley Lumley, the council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, will be asked to approve the decision tomorrow.

Cllr Lumley said:

“There are some exciting times ahead that shows our investment in the future of the sport and leisure facilities in the Harrogate district.”

A second consultation will be held over the future of leisure services in the Harrogate district.

After 417 people responded to a consultation which closed earlier this month, Harrogate Borough Council said it will go back to the public – but it has not confirmed when, or what it will ask.

Campaigners in Knaresborough are calling for the council to rule out using the Conyngham Hall site for a new leisure centre,. However, HBC said responses to the survey are being assessed and no decision has been made over where it will be built, with Knaresborough House, Hay-a-Park and the existing swimming pool site all on the shortlist.

The council has confirmed residents will get another chance to express their opinions in a follow-up consultation in the coming weeks. A spokesman said:

“The results will be evaluated and used to inform the various options and subsequent recommendations for the multi-million pound investment in sport and leisure across the Harrogate district.”

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The suggestion of the Grade II* listed Conyngham Hall as a potential spot for the new leisure centre has been met with criticism. The hall itself is used as office space and leased by the council to businesses, while the grounds are popular for leisure activities.

Campaigns to protect the green space have been set up by local residents on Facebook, and by the Harrogate & Knaresborough Liberal Democrats and Knaresborough Civic Society.

Civic society chairman James Monaghan said:

“Knaresborough Civic Society believes that building a new leisure centre and car park on green space at the grade 2 star listed Conyngham Hall would be completely unacceptable.

Our preference is to see the Conyngham Hall site removed from consideration full stop.”

The current site being used for the swimming pool is favoured by local groups over the proposal to build at Conyngham Hall

Mr Monaghan said he was pleased that the council had agreed to consult again and was hopeful that it would give local people a say on the location of the new leisure centre. The civic society’s preference is for the existing site to be used.

He added:

“The proposals for a leisure centre at either Conyngham Hall or on the green space at Knaresborough House would have a terrible impact on the historical character of Knaresborough.”