'A glass box and a tent' - £48m HIC project hits hurdle
HARROGATE International Centre's £48m revamp hit its first hurdle this week after the Council's planning committee threw out designs for a new entrance on King's Road.
Councillors described the two storey design as completely inappropriate, resembling 'a glass box and a tent'.
Planning officers had recommended the scheme for approval despite acknowledging that it would not integrate with the surrounding buildings and included a covered area that was an "inappropriate and alien to the HIC".
Coun Pat Marsh, who voted against the plans, told the Advertiser: "The scheme that was put before us didn't have the feel of quality that we've come to expect from Harrogate.
"I am in favour of what they are trying to do in creating these definitive 'welcome to Harrogate' entrances to the HIC, but what we were presented with was - to use the officer's term - a glass box and a tent, and that's just not good enough."
Tented canopy
The proposals would have seen the creation of a new 9.5m two-storey entrance, with a glazed front and stone walls, along with a terrace - including a tented canopy - between the King's Suite corridor and the Hall Q entrance.
The canopy, planned for King's Road, would have comprised a white Teflon-coated 'sail' structure, with white steel support columns.
HIC director Stuart Quin said he would sit down with architects Archial to draft a new scheme.
"The professional planning officer's recommendation was for approval, but we will have to address members' concerns and produce a revised design," he said.
For the full story, see this week's Harrogate Advertiser.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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