planning application Archives - Page 10 of 12

Residential conversion plan submitted for upper floors of Harrogate estate agency

Plans have been put forward to convert part of a town centre estate agent’s office in Harrogate into a two-bedroom flat.

The premises on Albert Street is occupied by North Residential, previously Knight Frank, but under the proposals part of the first floor and all of the second floor would be changed to residential use.

The prior notification documents submitted to change the use of the premises state that other than a meeting room to the rear, the upper floors have been out of use for some time.

The application states:

“The upper floors of the premises were ceased to be part of the commercial use following the refurbishment of the building at the rear 18 months ago.

“The ground floor floorspace was considered more convenient and offered a high quality meeting room. Since that time, the first and second floors have remained vacant in excess of the three month requirement.”

Access to the upper floors is through the estate agency office on the ground floor. However, the proposals state that a separate application will be made to alter the access and provide a self-contained staircase to the flat.

The plans show it would have a living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom on the first floor, with a second bedroom on the top floor.

Supporting information submitted with the plans states:

“The proposed scheme looks to preserve and enhance the character of the conservation area through conversion of its first and loft floor, improving the amenity of the building and bringing the upper floors of the building back into use.”

North Residential began trading last month after a management buy-out of the Harrogate branch of Knight Frank, having been operating it in Harrogate for 15 years.

The business will continue in the ground floor of the Albert Street building, along with a first-floor meeting room to the rear.

To view or comment on the application, visit the planning section of Harrogate Borough Council’s website and use reference 22/03448/PCBSR.

Delayed decision on Knox Lane housing plans set for October

Councillors will now decide whether to approve plans to build 52 homes at Knox Lane on October 4.

The original date of September 13 was delayed following the Queen’s death.

Harrogate Borough Council postponed all council meetings that were due to take place this week as a mark of respect.

North East property developer Jomast wants to build the homes on a field off Knox Lane in what has been a controversial and long-running planning application.

Council officer Andy Hough has published a 30-page report for councillors that says the development should be given the green light once certain conditions are met and there being no objection from the local flood authority.

In his conclusion Mr Hough said:

“The site is located within a sustainable location for housing and has been designed in such a way that the layout takes into account the constraints of the site, whilst ensuring that it retains and builds upon the natural features of the site.”

The plans have faced fierce objections from local residents in Bilton.

To many living there, the fields on Knox Lane represent one of the last green spaces in the area.

At the time of publication, there have been 311 objections to the plans from residents and zero submissions of support.

Windscreen repair ‘pod’ plans for Morrisons car park in Harrogate

A windscreen repair ‘pod’ could be installed in the car park at Morrisons in Harrogate if planning permission is granted.

The supermarket has applied for consent to create the facility, which would be run by Autoglass, in the south-west corner of the car park close to Currys.

At 70m sq, the storage unit and canopy would take up 15 of the 875 parking spaces on the site. In supporting information submitted with the application, Morrisons’ architect Whittam Cox said:

“The reuse of just 15 spaces will have a less than significant impact on the capacity and safe function of the car park. There will be no adverse impact on the capacity of the car park including during peak trading periods such as Christmas…

“This proposal is not seeking any illumination for any of the proposed advertisements. Overall, the application site makes use of brownfield land, within the urban area.

“The proposal’s design, scale and use are appropriate for the area, and the layout and design of the windscreen-repair pod make the proposal a small-scale development.”

The proposal states that the pod can be removed and used elsewhere in future when it is no longer needed at the Harrogate store.

To view or comment on the application, visit Harrogate Borough Council’s website and use reference 22/03034/FUL.

A second application has been submitted for vinyl coverings on the pod, under reference 22/03035/ADV.

Plans submitted to add more bedrooms to Harrogate mental health hospital

A two-storey extension could provide additional bedrooms at the Cygnet Hospital on Ripon Road in Harrogate.

Plans have been submitted to add four en suite bedrooms along with two offices to the rear of the building, in addition to the existing 36 beds .

As a result, the mental health hospital would increase its overall floor space by 115.5m sq, bringing the total size of the four-storey building to 1692m sq.

Supporting information submitted with the plans said:

“The Cygnet Hospital Harrogate is a well managed establishment and provides an important function for the community.

“It is essential that this critical piece of healthcare infrastructure can continue to provide the bedspaces required to support the demands of the community and help reduce the national shortage of bedspaces.”

The hospital has two wards – one mixed gender and one female – which both provide 24-hour care for people with acute mental health needs. Patients are referred to Cygnet from both the NHS and private practices.

The plans propose installing a temporary fire escape from the first floor while the work is carried out, which would be removed on completion.

One extra car park space would be created in the grounds as a result of landscaping under the plans for the former hotel.

To view or comment on the application, visit Harrogate Borough Council’s planning website and use reference 22/02799/FUL.

Plan for 80-bed care home on Ripon paint factory site

A new care home could be built in the heart of Ripon if plans are given the go-ahead.

The 80-bed facility has been proposed for the site of the T&R Williamson business park on Stonebridgegate.

The outline plans for a three-storey building extend to more than 4,700m sq, replacing the current 1,294m sq paint factory.

In supporting documents submitted with the proposal, applicant Miller Property Group said:

“The application is pursued on a speculative basis, though interest has been expressed for the future occupation of the development by care home operators.”

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As well as the 80 bedrooms, the outline plans including lounge and dining space on each floor, as well as a cinema, a library and activity rooms.

The proposal includes retaining the existing 28 parking spaces and creating two disability spaces, as well as one ambulance bay.

However, even if the plans are approved, the exact details would need to be confirmed with a full planning application in future.

In supporting information, the applicant said:

“Overall, the application scheme will enable the delivery of a high-quality care home on the site. The development will improve the appearance of the site and will provide a use which is much more in-keeping with the residential character of the area.”

A spokesperson for T&R Williamson said:

“As previously reported, T&R Williamson Paints, established 1775, merged with sister company Thomas Howse Industrial Coatings, established 1903, over two years ago.

“Since then, there has been a planned and phased programme to fully integrate both businesses at the West Midlands headquarters of Thomas Howse.

“This has enabled us to maximise production facilities and ready ourselves for the next stage of our evolution.

“T&R Williamson retains its renowned branding, as well as the privilege of The Royal Warrant awarded in 2011 in recognition of its specialist paints, varnishes and lacquers supplied to The Royal Household.

“The merger represents an exciting new era for both companies, which pool more than 360 years of expertise in the paint and coatings industry.

“It has been a natural progression to build on the existing synergies of both companies and blend together the market-leading position, reputation, skill base and aspiration that they both share.

“The merger has also signalled a major programme of significant investment in the latest technology in production machinery. This is helping us to improve efficiency, striving us forward on our green aspirations reducing energy consumption and production waste, as well as building a broader product range.”

To view or comment on the application, visit the Harrogate Borough Council planning website and use reference 22/02831/OUTMAJ.

Plans submitted for three yurts in Kirkby Malzeard field

A new holiday site could be created in Kirkby Malzeard if planning permission is granted for three yurts in an agricultural field.

An application has been submitted by Frederick Atkinson to create the yurts, each on raised decking and with its own hot tub along with a ‘services area’ of toilet, sink and shower in a wooden hut.

The site of the proposed yurts is on Back Lane North, to the west of Pipistrelle Barn, in a field previously used for grazing sheep. The application showed there would be a package treatment plant created, as well as a walkway alongside the barn to a parking area at its east.

It added:

“The subject proposals would see the creation of a small family-run business named ‘Yurts @ Pipistrelle Barn’.

“It is envisaged that the site will provide a peaceful, low impact and eco-friendly retreat, nestled on the edge of a well serviced Yorkshire village, providing the perfect base for future guests to enjoy the best of North Yorkshire.

“The proposed holiday site will generate four full-time jobs, comprising an administration role to include welcoming and hosting, a site maintenance role to include groundskeeping and waste management, an IT support role to include website creation, maintenance and booking management, and a cleaning role.

“Pipistrelle Barn, directly adjacent the application area, will provide the administration hub for the business and allow for natural surveillance of the site. Guests will arrive on-site and check in at the barn, where they will then be shown to the yurts on foot.”

Each yurt would be made from a wooden latticework frame with natural materials used as insulation and covered by canvas. Inside would feature a log-burning stove and a bed, with space for tables and chairs on the decking outside.

The proposed site layout

In supporting documents, the applicant said the development would “help support the economic and social well-being of the village and surrounding settlements”. The documents referred to using local businesses including Wards Logs, Steph Bennington Cleaners, Sam Watson Fencing and Highside Butchers.

A previous application for three yurts without hot tubs on the site was made in December 2021 but withdrawn in April. It had proposed creating a new parking area in the south-west corner of the site.

Ten comments were received from members of the public, with nine objecting to the plans and none supporting them. However, the parish council did not raise any objection.

In response to the current application, a report from Harrogate Borough Council’s environmental health officer Mary Jones said:

“The main issue with this proposal compared to the application commented on February 2022 is the addition of hot tubs.

“Normal use of the yurts should not cause an issue as there would be a certain amount of self-regulation on site. I have concerns that if a party hire the yurts especially all three the noise that could be produced would cause a nuisance to local residents particularly if it was accompanied by amplified music.

“It would be worth considering a booking form precluding amplified music at the hot tubs and also avoiding renting the yurts to parties such as stag and hen parties.”

One comment has already been received from a member of the public, Jamie Firth. He said he has run a holiday let since 2016 and raised concerns about the area becoming “satiated” with holiday properties, as he said there is already more than enough to meet demand.

To view or comment on the application, visit the Harrogate Borough Council planning website and use reference 22/02523/FUL.

Takeaway plan for former launderette on Starbeck High Street

A new takeaway could open on Starbeck High Street if planning permission is granted to convert a former launderette.

The premises at 47 High Street had been a launderette since the 1980s before being used as an off licence and a clothes shop in recent years.

A new application by owner Mark Leicester could see it changed to a takeaway.

Planning documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council said:

“The applicant, Mr M Leicester is the owner of numbers 41 to 47 High Street, Starbeck. These properties are retail units with residential accommodation above.

“The only changes to the property resulting from the proposal are internal and in themselves do not require planning permission. It is simply the changing of the use of the floorspace that is proposed.”

The application has had a mixed reception from Starbeck Residents’ Association. The group said local residents do not want empty premises, but they are also keen to have a more diverse range of shops.

A spokesperson said:

“In particular, it would be great to see a greengrocer selling fresh fruit and vegetables.

“We recognise however, that we cannot change the planning system, nor force particular businesses to move to our area. That’s why we consistently promote the fact that Starbeck is a wonderful area and a great place to do business.

“The Starbeck Residents’ Association is also working to see what else we can do to encourage a wider range of businesses to our area.”

In early 2018, the shop began to be used as an off licence. Four members of the public objected to a retrospective application for the change of use as well as the retention of roller shutters and shop frontage.

The council’s planning officer found the roller shutters were out of keeping with the conservation area and were visually intrusive, and the application was declined.

A request to retain two illuminated signs outside the premises was also refused.

Dozens of objections to ‘ludicrous’ Crimple Valley housing plan

Almost 70 objections have been submitted in two weeks after plans were put forward to build 35 homes in the Crimple Valley.

The outline proposal for Almsford Bank Stables includes 14 affordable homes, seven first homes and 14 self or custom build (SCB) plots.

However, 69 public comments have been received since Monday, June 20, all of which oppose the plans.

Among them, nearby resident Jules Sibson said:

“This application is ludicrous. There is no way the access here would be safe.

“Only a few weeks ago the road was closed for some period of time to a major road traffic accident. The traffic is stacked back on a regular basis, and if it’s not then people speed up and down the hill. A junction here would surely lead to disaster.

“As a local who also regularly enjoys the beautiful walks along here with my children I am literally dumbfounded this planning would even be re-considered.”

The proposed site, outlined in red, lies in the Crimple Valley

Another from Judith Hooper said:

“In the time we have been resident in Harrogate there have been numerous car accidents on Almsford bank, the most recent very serious one being only a few weeks ago.

“Cars accelerate down the bank on reaching the 50mph sign and already have to contend with traffic coming out of Crimple Hall.

“Putting access at the bottom of such a busy section of road, on a bend, seems to invite accidents. At night there are many cars clearly speeding on this stretch. At busy periods traffic is queuing both up and down the hill.”

Campaign group Save Crimple Valley has urged the public to submit objections to the new proposals.

It is the third application for the site site since 2018, when plans for 65 homes were put forward but withdrawn. The following year, a reduced proposal of 35 homes was submitted, but again withdrawn in the face of extensive objections.

The site is not included in Harrogate Borough Council’s local plan, which guides where development can take place in the district.

One objection to the latest proposal by the same applicant said the repeated applications were a “waste of everyone’s time”.

However, the application argues that the district does not have a sufficient supply of SCB sites to meet its obligations.

Consultees have also submitted their responses, with National Highways (formerly Highways England) saying it had no objections to the proposals.

However, some have opposed the plans. The Harrogate branch of the Ramblers’ Association said:

“We object strongly to this latest outline application to develop this site. Any housing development here would seriously damage public amenity…

“We object to the building of houses in this special landscape. We object to this area of countryside being urbanised.

“The indicative layout shows the bridleway diverted onto a new estate road for part of its length. We object because there has been no provision made for the bridleway to be kept separate from the proposed access road to the houses.

“We do not accept a right of way being incorporated into a vehicular access road for a housing development. There is no provision to keep the non-motorised route separate from the housing estate road, but it is unlikely this can be achieved on this site.”

The plans have been submitted by Square Feet Ltd, whose registered address is on nearby Fulwith Mill Lane, and Antela Developments Ltd, two of whose three directors also live on Fulwith Mill Lane.

To view or comment on the plans, visit the Harrogate Borough Council planning website and use reference 22/02233/OUTMAJ.

The consultation ends on Sunday, July 10. A date for the application to be decided by the council has yet to be set.

Newby Hall owner proposes new quarry on land near Ripon

A proposal by the ancestral owner of a 17th century historic house to create a sand and gravel quarry near Ripon could create risks to human health from noise, air quality and vibration, a study has concluded.

North Yorkshire County Council planners have told Newby Gravels Ltd that its plan to extract up to 30,000 tonnes of materials a year from a nine-hectare site at Great Givendale, beside the River Ure south-east of Ripon, would have “significant impacts” and a series of measures would be needed to mitigate them.

Documents submitted to the authority ahead of an anticipated planning application state the firm estimates that quarrying work and restoration of the land would take place over a decade.

They state Newby Gravels, whose director Richard Compton is the owner of the nearby grade I listed Newby Hall, would remove the minerals from the site, which is currently agricultural land in open countryside opposite a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust haven, by 20-tonne trucks making 12 trips a day, joining the public road at Skelton Lane.

The papers state transportation of the sand and gravel from the quarry, where at least four people would be employed, would be suspended during major events taking place at the hall.

They add the firm is currently exploring the feasibility of the establishing rental holiday lodges at the site following the quarry.

They state:

“Such a leisure activity would complement the existing activities of the hall and wider Ripon area including the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Yorkshire Dales National Park.

“Restoration would therefore be to a combination of wetland areas with surrounding amenity woodland and grasslands with up to 20 short-term let lodges for holiday use.”

Knaresborough scuba diving facility ‘woefully misunderstood’, says businessman

A scuba diving business owner has said plans for a deep diving facility in Knaresborough have been “woefully misunderstood” after the proposals were rejected.

Tim Yarrow, who owns Harrogate-based Diveshack, had planned to build the training pool facility on Thistle Hill.

However, Harrogate Borough Council rejected the plan on the grounds that the proposal would “result in harm to the visual and spatial openness of the green belt”.

Mr Yarrow, who has been a scuba instructor around the world for 30 years, said his facility would have offered an opportunity for “potential local investment”.

He said:

“It is my opinion that the necessity and requirements of a specific training facility for scuba and all it brings with regards to potential further local investment, employment and potential career paths has been woefully misunderstood.”

The plan would have seen the site at Thistle Hill changed from agricultural land to a deep water diving centre.

Mr Yarrow said that his club, which has been open since 2018, currently trains young and upcoming divers. He said the facility would help to expand this.

However, the council said in its decision notice that the facility was also outside the development limit of any village or settlement.

It said:

“The proposal is for a new tourism and recreational use however the application fails to demonstrate that there is a local need for the facility in this location, that the facility is of a scale and nature appropriate to its location and intended purpose, and that the facility is accessible to the community or catchment population it is intended to serve.”