Three plans set to change the face of Harrogate

An artists impression of how the new entertainment complex to replace Beales department store would look. Image: 4Urban (s).

Plans for the former police station on North Park Road, the former Dunlopillo site in Pannal and Beales department store will be discussed by Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee on Tuesday, September 30.

Councillors are expected to approve all of the plans, which will bring more housing, a park and ride, new offices and a cinema to Harrogate.

First on the agenda is the second application for the Dunlopillo site in Pannal. Plans to build 120 houses, light industrial units and a park and ride facility were approved in March 2013, however, developers, Forward Investments LLP, reapplied in July asking to include a care home on the site.

Planning officer Kate Williams recommends councillors should defer the plans for approval and said: “The development would also deliver wider travel improvements, affordable housing and the provision of community facilities through the S106 agreement.”

The developer has agreed to pay £154,753 to Pannal Village Hall and spend £25,000 improving traffic lights at Spacey Houses.

Plans to demolish Beales department store, building a cinema complex in its place, divided the town when they were announced in February.

The £10m complex will include a four screen cinema and nine other units which will be used for retail, office space, restaurant or drinking establishment depending on future occupiers.

The council’s economic development officer said the proposals will ‘enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre and positively contribute to the local economy.’

The final large scale plan councillors are set to discuss is for the former police station on North Park Road.

The historic building has stood empty since Harrogate police moved to its new state-of-the-art £9m facility on Beckwith Head Road in 2012.

Developer, Harrogate Restoration LLP hope to convert the grade II listed building into 16 apartments and five houses with four townhouses in the grounds.

Harrogate Restoration LLP paid £1.55m for the landmark site in May 2013 after it failed reach its reserve of £1.9m at an auction in February 2013.

North Yorkshire Police will be paid an additional £350,000 payment if planning permission is granted.

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