A local councillor has said Harrogate College is taking a “massive gamble” by reducing the number of on-site parking spaces to accommodate a £22 million re-build.

Conservative councillor John Mann, who represents Oatlands and Pannal – which Hornbeam Park narrowly falls into – told the Stray Ferret he has received concerns from residents about college pupils and staff parking on residential roads.

It comes after North Yorkshire Council last month approved the plans to demolish the main college building and build a state-of-the-art technology hub.

The new building would include a mock hospital ward, a digital technology suite, an electric vehicle workshop and a construction centre focussed on modern building methods.

The college hopes to move into the new building by July 2025, after which the existing building will be demolished.

Harrogate College last month said the existing car park would be closed from April 22 to allow work to continue, with no available spaces during the construction period.

The car park was used by staff and students daily, and the new site will see parking spaces drop from 242 to just 88.

College principal, Danny Wild, told the Stray Ferret at the time staff and students were advised to “make alternative travel arrangements” or “park responsibly in the local area”.

Main contractor Caddick Construction also encouraged "use of the nearby station car-park".

But Cllr Mann said he will be "closely monitoring" the parking situation following residents' concerns.

In a letter to Cllr Mann, seen by the Stray Ferret, one couple, who live adjacent to Hornbeam Park railway station, said the loss of parking spaces will have a "detrimental impact locally", adding:

Cllr Mann said:

He added while the college provides a “fantastic educational experience for students”, he feels it is taking a “massive gamble” by temporarily scrapping parking provisions, adding:

Cllr Mann’s comments come after several concerns were raised by Hornbeam Park tenants and director of Hornbeam Park Developments Ltd, Chris Bentley.

Mr Bentley said he was “not objecting to the new college” and “applauded” the new facility. However, he felt the move would "cause chaos":

Harrogate College is a member of Luminate Education Group, which submitted the plans for the new technology hub.

£16m of funding has come from the Department for Education’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund.

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