Harrogate Town Council takes first steps in adopting a 'leadership role' to protect town's interests
Harrogate Town Council will have a “strong platform to build on” as it picks up the baton of creating a new vision for the town’s future.
Its important role of leading the path towards a Harrogate Neighbourhood Plan to shape the town’s development and protect its heritage follows a successful handover event organised by Harrogate Town Plan Forum.
Coun Viv Poskitt, Chair of Harrogate Town Council’s Neighbourhood Plan Group, warmly acknowledged the work undertaken to date by the Forum and said “the commitment and energy shown by its members has given us a strong platform to build upon going forward.
"We remain committed to working collaboratively with Forum members, community organisations, residents, local businesses, councillors and professionals to shape a Plan that genuinely reflects what matters to Harrogate.”
Neighbourhood plans empower local communities to shape development in their area by creating a shared vision, deciding where new homes/shops go, protecting green spaces, influencing building design, and identifying infrastructure needs.
While not a panacea for local control, they act as part of the official planning framework to steer growth positively while aligning with local and national policies.
As such, their purpose isn’t to stop development but to guide it to meet the needs of the community and the local environment.
Formed in 2023 by members of Harrogate Civic Society and Zero Carbon Harrogate to to address the planning void left by the arrival of the new unitary authority of North Yorkshire Council and the abolition of Harrogate Borough Council, Harrogate Town Plan Forum won the approval of North Yorkshire Council earlier this year to begin the process towards a Harrogate Neighbourhood Plan.
A wide-ranging body, the Forum engaged with a long list of the town’s civic organisations, as well as, charities, arts and business interests.
But, once Harrogate Town Council was set up in April of this year, Harrogate Town Plan Forum automatically ceased to be designated as the responsible body for producing a neighbourhood plan.
The Forum will now reconstitute itself to support Harrogate Town Council in taking forward the formal preparation of the Harrogate Neighbourhood Plan.
Attendees at the handover event at West Park United Reformed Church in Harrogate also received an informative presentation from Coun David Goode of Knaresborough Town Council, who shared insights from the neighbouring parish’s experience in preparing its own Neighbourhood Plan.
Harrogate Town Council’s Neighbourhood Plan Group, comprising elected councillors and Forum-nominated non-councillor members, has already begun its work, including the appointment of local planning specialist Directions Planning Consultancy Ltd to support the early stages of evidence gathering and project planning.
Harrogate Town Council has approved the global budget and initial project plan, with Stage 1 focusing on preparation of a policy intentions document for consultation in early 2027.
Harrogate Neighbourhood Plan is expected to be completed by 2031.
Yesterday’s event followed the Forum’s earlier invitation encouraging residents, businesses and community groups to participate in shaping a long-term vision for the town.
Harrogate Town Council will issue further updates as the Neighbourhood Plan progresses and will ensure opportunities for the community to engage at every stage.
Council members flexed their political muscles earlier this month as they seek to take on a leadership role in the town when they unanimously voted to object to Harrogate Spring Water’s controversial expansion proposals.
More information at: https://harrogatetowncouncil.gov.uk/