Lido park owners disappointment at council’s decision
kna The entrance to Lido Leisure Park, Knaresborough. (130211M1b)
Lido Leisure Park owners have expressed their disappointment after Harrogate Borough Council threw out proposals for housing on the Lido park site.
The family run site had put forward plans for around 150 houses, whilst still keeping part of the land as a holiday park site for 225 park homes.
However Harrogate Borough Council Cabinet voted unanimously to support a report which stated that 700 homes should be built at Manse Farm instead.
Site owner Ken Harper said: “It was a good, well thought through idea. The houses would be built on the side of the land closest to transport facilities and the caravan site could be well shielded by trees.” The planning report said it took into account the importance of the site as a tourist facility and the potential responsibility the council may have in respect of any homelessness as a result of allocating the site for housing.
scaremongering
Mr Harper disagrees with this reasoning, he said: “Our idea would have allowed us to keep running the holiday park as a business, continuing to employ people and bring tourists to the area and also address the housing needs of the town.”
He added: “As for any homelessness issues, that is just scaremongering. We have an 11 month licence and we keep records to ensure caravan owners all have an alternative address and that the Lido Park is their second home.”
At the cabinet meeting Coun Alan Skidmore said: “The official report finds the site is not ideal to be involved. It has had a public consultation, nearly 390 responses were received, 311 of these were objections.” Coun Phil Ireland said: “The outcome of the public consultation clearly shows that a majority of responses received were against development on the Lido site.”
Mr Harper ruled out any plans to apply for an extended 12 month licence and has said he is unsure if he will go ahead with any form of planning application for the site without it being included in the LDF.
He said: “It might just get rejected and applications are costly. I don’t know a lot about planning and I don’t know a lot about the politics of it all so I’m not sure we’ll go ahead with anything.”
The Council’s District Development Committee are expected to agree with cabinet’s decision on February 13.
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Monday 20 May 2013
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