Council’s town centre masterplan

The council has appointed an independent planning consultancy, Peter Brett Associates, to prepare a masterplan for the town centre, but the report won’t be revealed to the public until Tuesday January 13.

A baseline report has now been produced and a public exhibition, which will take place between Tuesday 13 January and Saturday 17 January in the glazed foyer at St Peter’s Church on Cambridge Road in Harrogate.

Officers from the council’s planning policy team and representatives from Peter Brett Associates will be on hand on Friday January 16 (between 11.00am and 4.00pm) and Saturday January 17 (between 10.00am and 3.00pm) to answer any questions.

Coun Michael Harrison, cabinet member for planning (Con, Killinghall) said: “Harrogate town centre plays a pivotal role in driving the local economy.

“It is the district’s largest retail, leisure, business and tourist destination, a major conference and exhibition venue, and an important source of local employment.

“Towns around the country are facing a number of challenges such as the growth of online shopping, pressure from out of centre retailing and supermarkets, and reduced town centre footfall.

“It is crucial that we do all we can to ensure the future of Harrogate town centre – and part of this must be the design of the town itself.

“Once it has been developed the strategy and masterplan will be used to deliver town centre improvements.

“It is important to realise that the concept design, which will be available to see at this initial public exhibition, is still very much in development.”