A plan to build an 80-bed care home close to the centre of Ripon has been refused by North Yorkshire Council.
Council refuses plans for 80-bed care home in Ripon A plan to build an 80-bed care home close to the centre of Ripon has been refused by North Yorkshire Council. The plans were submitted by Muller Property Group and involved demolishing industrial buildings at T&R Williamson Business Park to make way for a new care facility. Eight units at the site are currently occupied and let out to a range of tenants and the development would have resulted in the loss of between 12-15 jobs. However, the developer argued that 70 social care jobs would have been created through the scheme. Access was proposed off Stonebridgegate and the site is next to the city’s Aldi supermarket and near to the fire and police station. According to plans attached to the application, the developer hoped to deliver a “high-quality” care home on the site with a design that better reflects the surroundings than what is currently there. A named care provider was not attached to the application but the facility would have had 24 bedrooms in total and plans included several shared living rooms, a hair and nail salon for residents, a cafe and 31 car parking spaces. The developer added in documents:
“The development will improve the appearance of the site and will provide a use which is much more in-keeping with the residential character of the area.”But the NHS submitted comments to the council that said GP practices in Ripon do not have the capacity to accomodate the additional residents that would arise from the care home. It asked for a contribution of £40,478 to go towards local health services. Despite the creation of new social care jobs, the council said in its refusal notice that it objected to the proposed loss of employment space due to the demolition of the industrial buildings. The refusal notice said:
“The proposed development would result in the loss of existing employment floorspace. No evidence has been submitted to demonstrate that the site has been actively marketed for employment use, that continued use of the site for employment is no longer viable, that the existing businesses remaining on the site could relocate to comparable suitable premises in the local area, or that alternative employment uses cannot be accommodated on the site.”The council also said the size of the building would harm the Ripon Conservation Area, the facility would not provide “satisfactory living conditions” for residents and insufficient information had been provided regarding the potential implications of gypsum-related ground stability issues. The developer can appeal the decision. By Thomas Barrett, Local Democracy Reporter Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.

£65million Leeds Bradford Airport railway station described as ‘critical’ for region
Defending Harrogate Gateway scheme was important for town's future, says councillor
Skipton and Ripon MP criticises Budget over lack of support for rural communities
New 'Winter Warmers' campaign aims to get residents outdoors
Police appeal after cars damaged on Harrogate streets
Thousands expected in Harrogate for four-day craft show
Harrogate Mumbler to launch Welfare Hub at Stray Bonfire
'Push For Pudsey' sofa challenge to pass through Harrogate
Harrogate residents can vote to bring Coca-Cola Christmas Truck to town
Harrogate mum takes on marathon for hospital that saved daughter's life
North Yorkshire councillors set for 2.6 per cent allowance rise to £18,400
40,000 new homes already approved or allocated land in North Yorkshire
New project to help people build confidence and prepare for work
Harrogate's £13.4million Station Parade revamp gets green light
Harrogate nurse writes children's book inspired by her grandad's stories
Ground investigations to begin in Knaresborough to help reduce river pollution
Knaresborough Tractor Run announces date for 10th anniversary event
Ripley Castle to host free Christmas market with independent stalls
Communities praised for response to severe weekend storms
Harrogate farming conference wins regional award


