The redevelopment of a landmark building in Starbeck is being held up due to a dispute regarding the amount of money the owners should contribute towards construction costs, the Stray Ferret understands. 

The Harper’s building on the High Street has stood empty since newsagent McColl’s moved out eight years ago, and has been a burnt-out shell since arsonists set fire to it in 2018. 

As we reported in February, its owners have a well-developed proposal to replace the old structure with a new block of retail units and 24 one-bedroom social housing flats above. 

They already have permission to demolish the current building, but that expires on January 17, 2025, so planning permission for the new development needs to be in place before then. 

But as yet, the owners have not applied for planning permission for the new development because they are still in dispute with North Yorkshire Council over building costs. 

Because the plans contain ‘social, rented only’ accommodation, the council required a feasibility study to be carried out relating to the building costs.

According to postmaster Andrew Hart, who runs the Red Box gift shop and post office opposite the Harper’s building, that study deemed the developers’ estimate of the building costs per square foot to be about 20% too high, and the council demanded costs be cut before it would consider approving any planning application.

But he said the owners believe that cutting costs would lead to a reduction in the number of flats, making the whole project impossible and turning it into a “financial black hole”.

Mr Hart has been campaigning for the Harper’s building to be brought back to life for many years, and, although he has no personal stake in the property, was given day-to-day stewardship of the site three years ago by the owners.

He told the Stray Ferret:

He said the owners, believed to be Bates and Hemingbrough, and developer Zerum Consulting had met council planners last week to discuss revised figures from a new study. He said: 

Cllr Philip Broadbank, who represents the Fairfax and Starbeck division on North Yorkshire Council, said the situation seemed to be “going round in circles and getting nowhere”. 

He said he could not comment on any planning application explicitly, as that would disqualify him from voting on it as a member of the council’s planning committee, but added: 

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council whether it considered the redevelopment of the site as a local priority. A spokesperson replied: 

Read more:

• Plans revealed to transform Starbeck's Harper's building


• 'Viability' issues continue to delay revival of Starbeck's Harper's building


• Plan to demolish 'eyesore' Starbeck building finally approved