Councillors have deferred making a decision on plans to erect bollards and planters outside the former Harrogate Borough Council offices at Crescent Gardens, leading to the eventual closure of the road.
Impala Estates, which bought the building from HBC for £4m in 2020, wants to block traffic from entering to the front of the building, running between Swan Road to the west and Montpellier Road to the east.
The developer already has planning permission to convert Crescent Gardens into office and restaurant space.
However, to close the road in front of the building it would also require a separate ‘stopping up order’ from the Department for Transport, requiring a public consultation.
Councillors on the Harrogate & Knaresborough planning committee considered the application to erect the planters and bollards this afternoon in Harrogate but were uneasy at the potential ramifications of their decision.
Local resident Patrick Turner urged councillors to refuse the scheme and said he and other residents use the road to get to their homes.
He said:
“It’s a useful road providing access to and from the Duchy estate and beyond. It also takes some traffic away from busy roads nearby.
"It’s a quiet road, so why is there a need to stop it up?”
Planning agent Hamish Robertshaw spoke on behalf of Impala and described how measures would be put in place to stop vehicles from entering.
He added:
“[The application] conforms to relevant policy causes no harm or impact and provides benefits to town centre and Crescent Gardens development.”
But Cllr Robert Windass (Conservative, Boroughbridge & Claro) said he didn’t understand why the application had been recommended for approval by a council officer in a report.
He said:
“Are we going to be anti-car totally so we don’t let cars down roads? There have been numerous objections to this.
"A lot of people feel very strongly. It’s absolutely bizarre.”
Cllr Philip Broadbank (Liberal Democrat, Fairfax & Starbeck) added his concerns and said a public right of way that has existed for almost a century could be lost.
Councillors heard that a deal had been agreed between HBC and Impala Estates to sell the road but Cllr Paul Haslam (Independent, Bilton & Nidd Gorge) said he wanted the plans to be deferred so more information could be received about the deal and whether the restrictions would be limited to vehicles.
He added:
“We will make a small decision with potentially enormous consequences.”
Councillors unanimously voted to defer the application to a future planning committee pending another report.
Meanwhile, at the same meeting councillors were due to consider a plan for 8 apartments at Stockwell Road in Knaresborough but the developer withdrew the application before the meeting.
Man taken to Leeds General infirmary following aircraft crash in Masham
Six arrested following car theft in Harrogate
FULL CHAT: Local occupational therapist hosts online masterclass to support new mums
Harrogate businesses reject new accommodation BID proposal
New interior showroom to open on Albert Street
Harrogate BID appoints new Chief Executive Officer
Conductor who painted for the King sets up gallery at Knaresborough station
Rudy's pizzeria announces Harrogate opening date
Harrogate community rallies to support family after loss of 9-week-old son
Swinton Estate appoints new general manager
Harrogate MP calls for 'fairer' student loan system
Council chiefs deny claims of conspiracy to remove committee chair
Pedestrian taken to hospital after collision near West Park
Council agrees £150,000 funding to reduce winter deaths
1,000 Smiles: Pateley Bridge woman wins £1,000 prize
Ripon pupils take alcohol-free fashion message to Parliament
Call for volunteers to support end of life care patients in Harrogate and Ripon
Council agrees council tax hike because they don't live "in world of unicorns and rainbows"
Rossett School launches £15,000 fundraiser for new minibus
Endometriosis charity event to be held in Harrogate next month
