A study is to be commissioned to look into how the historic City of Ripon can fulfil its economic potential and help City leaders to plan their response to the proposed closure of Claro Barracks.
Earlier this year the Ministry of Defence announced that the Barracks, which houses 21 Engineer Regiment and 15 Field Squadron, will be closed and personnel transferred to Catterick in 2017.
Cllr Alan Skidmore, who is leading the response on behalf of both Harrogate Borough Council and Ripon City Council, said:
It is important that we fully understand the impact that the closure will have on the local economy to enable us to respond in the right way. Though what is clear is that the solutions are not just about redevelopment of the Barracks site but how we ensure that the whole City develops to realise its potential.
Funding for the study has been secured from Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council and will be supported by the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership and Ripon City Council’s City Development Initiative.
The findings of the study will be used to compliment the current community consultation in helping to shape the Ripon City Plan – the Neighbourhood Plan for the City.
Residents, visitors and those working in the City are still being invited to submit comments about the future development of the City and the redevelopment of the Claro Barracks site by responding to the consultation at www.riponcity.gov.uk/city-plan
Cllr Skidmore added:
“This study will help us to look at some of the suggestions that people have made, learn from what other historic Cities are doing and ensure that we have a strategy and plan that we can implement between now and 2017 to take the City forward and minimise the impact of the closure.
