'Far too dominant': Harrogate Civic Society's fears over plans to convert former post office into flats and offices

Property developers One Acre Group want to transform the abandoned building on Cambridge Road into 25 flats and office space after the post office controversially closed in 2019 when it relocated to its current base at WHSmith.

The plans - submitted on behalf of the Post Office - said the conversion would "enhance the overall vitality of this part of the town centre," however, civic society members have raised concerns that it would have a "serious" impact on neighbours and be "out of character" of the historic building which dates back to 1897.

Civic society member Henry Pankhurst said the group were fully supportive of bringing the building back into use but added they wanted to see a reworking of the proposals.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "We are very keen on the upper floors of any town centre building being converted because there are many empty spaces not being used to their full effect.

"Harrogate depends on people travelling into the town to work in its service and retail industries but there are not enough affordable, modest properties available for them to live in locally - so it is much needed.

"However, the post office proposals are overall too intensive and we feel the extension would be very dominating for residents living on Cambridge Terrace.

"We hope the council and developers can work together, whilst also considering the views we have expressed, to bring forward more suitable plans."

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Harrogate Borough Council is currently considering the plans which would see the building converted into one and two-bedroom flats, and the demolition of an existing rear extension, car parking and refuse area.

The council's economic growth team has also commented on the proposals saying there is just as great a need for town centre office space as there is affordable homes.

They said: "We fully support the proposal for the inclusion of modern office space at this location. However, given the real shortage of high quality offices available across the district and in Harrogate town in particular, we would suggest that the opportunity to create more high quality office floorspace in place of some of the residential units should be given full consideration."

The post office was relocated to WHSmith at the Victoria Shopping Centre in May 2019 as part of similar plans for 40 branches across the UK.

This was despite a campaign by the community and Harrogate MP Andrew Jones who raised concerns that services could be “downgraded” under the move - something Post Office bosses disputed.

The post office opened in 1897 and was designed by architect Sir Henry Tanner. It is unlisted but located within the Harrogate Conservation Area.

A document submitted with the conversion plans said: "The proposals will also deliver new residential uses to the upper floors of the building and within the new contemporary rear extension, and the increased residential population within the town centre will also offer support to existing businesses, particularly the evening economy with resultant benefits on the overall vitality and viability of the town centre, which will be particularly important in response to the Covid-19 pandemic."

If the plans are approved, works to convert the historic building could start in summer.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter