VIDEO: Derelict farm gets a new lease of life
Derelict farm buildings in Pannal are set to receive a new lease of life after they bought by developers.
The land which was farmed by the same family for three generations, was sold by Harrogate Borough Council to developers C K Batchelor Ltd.
Councillor Ivor Fox, cabinet member for resources, said he is pleased that new homes can be built on the land which is visible from an importance entry road into Harrogate.
He added: “These old buildings had fallen into some disrepair so it is a bonus that the area will be much improved.”
The land has planning permission for 13 homes, five of which will be newly built, six will be converted from farm buildings and the existing farm house and cottage are set to be refurbished.
Site manager Graham Lee said: “Building new houses is the easy bit, but you have to think a bit more with conversions.
“They can be quite complicated but I really enjoy working on them.”
Initially Harrogate Borough Council gave planning permission for 14 new homes on the site and planned to knock the buildings down.
However Pannal residents campaigned to save the buildings and English Heritage stepped in to list the premises just days before bulldozers were due to begin work in October 2008.
Campaigner Anne Smith said: “People in Pannal will be relieved because the site has become a bit of an eyesore.
“I think it will look great if they stick to what English Heritage wants, Batchelors have a good reputation for conversion so it should look good.”
Three of the properties will be affordable homes for local residents. Coun Ivor Fox said: “Pannal has excellent transport links as well as a vibrant local community with a village hall, public house, shops and a primary school. I am sure these new homes will be in much demand.”
David Batchelor, director of C K Batchelor Ltd, said: “My family moved to the Pannal area when I was just a few weeks old and I went to Pannal School so I consider I am just about born and bred in Pannal.
“With the conversion and restoration of the existing stone buildings and construction of some new build houses we intend to provide a mixed development of one, two, three and four bedroomed properties that will turn the existing run down site into something of which Pannal and Harrogate can be proud.”
Visit www.harrogateadvertisr.co.uk for a video of Coun Ivor Fox and David Batchelor discussing the plans.
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Wednesday 22 May 2013
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