Harrogate Borough Council is to carry out further consultation on site options for growth in the urban areas of Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon and on policies to manage development.
Since the district-wide consultation that took place late last year, a number of issues have been agreed for further consultation. This includes the potential for homes and public open space at the Police Training Centre in Harrogate, the re-location of the Cathedral Choir School in Ripon and extending the boundary of the buffer zone at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal to further protect this World Heritage Site.
A new ‘preferred option site’ for housing at the Police Training Centre, Harrogate
This site was identified by the landowner as one that offered potential for housing development during the consultation in 2011 as it was now surplus to their operational requirements. The council has assessed the site and considers that it is worthy of consideration as a preferred option site. Part of the site is brownfield and lies within the development limit, the remainder lies outside the development limit and comprises sports pitches with restricted access. The assessment indicates that the site could accommodate in the order of 130 dwellings with open space and playing pitches to which the public would have access.
A possible site option on land to the south of Bellwood Farm, Ripon for the re-location of the Cathedral Choir School
The Cathedral Choir School in Ripon is looking to re-locate from its current site off Whitcliffe Lane and has identified a site to the south of Bellwood Farm. Whilst there is further work to do, the council is seeking views on the suitability of this site. The Choir School has provided the council with further information on the potential re-location site and alternatives and this can be viewed on the council’s website.
An extension to the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site Buffer Zone
Studley Royal Park, including the ruins of Fountains Abbey was designated as a World Heritage Site (WHS) due to its outstanding aesthetic and historic importance. The council is seeking to designate a buffer zone so that proposals for development that may impact on the outstanding universal value of the World Heritage Site and its setting are very carefully considered.
In 2011 the Council consulted on draft Policy EQ4, which includes protection for the WHS and its buffer zone. As a result of consultation responses a change to the buffer zone boundary is suggested to include an additional area of land – an important vista from the WHS to Ripon Cathedral and Blois Hall Farm beyond.
This additional consultation starts on 13 April 2012 and runs until 4.30pm on 25 May. Further information and response forms will be available from 13 April at www.harrogate.gov.uk/ldfconsult
