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28
Jul 2023
Developer appeals Harrogate office block conversion refusal
A developer has appealed a council decision to refuse a plan to convert Simpson House in Harrogate into flats.
Bramhope Property and Investments Limited tabled the proposal to North Yorkshire Council to convert the the former office block off Clarence Drive into 12 two-bedroom flats.
It would have seen the ground, first and second floors converted.
However, the authority rejected the plan in May this year on the grounds that the flats would not have enough natural light.
In a decision notice, the council said that existing trees and hedges at the site which would lead to “large amounts of shade” to the flats during the day.
Now the developer has taken the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which deals with planning disputes.
In documents submitted to the inspector, the developer argued that the council’s reason for refusal was “not based on any detailed technical evidence”.
It said:
Read more:
- Council rejects Harrogate office block conversion over natural light concern
- Developer withdraws Harrogate office block flats plan
A government planning inspector will make a decision on the appeal at a later date.
The move comes after two previous proposals to change the use of the office block to residential were refused in 2022.
Meanwhile, another application by Artium Group was withdrawn in July 2022 amid concern from the former Harrogate Borough Council officers over the impact on neighbouring trees.
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