North Yorkshire Council has approved plans for a new entrance, driveway, parking spaces, a fence and the felling of one tree at Pineheath on Cornwall Road.
Changes approved at Harrogate's most famous abandoned home North Yorkshire Council has approved plans for a new entrance, driveway, parking spaces, a fence and the felling of one tree at Pineheath on Cornwall Road. The distinctive 12-bedroom property sits in one of Harrogate’s most exclusive areas but famously has been empty for more than 30 years. It’s unclear if the plans, submitted by Harrogate businessman Jason Shaw, could signal a fresh start for Pineheath or if they are for residents living in former chauffeur’s cottage that has already been converted into rental properties. Mr Shaw bought Pineheath in 2012 for £2m and four years later won planning permission to convert the cottage into two homes and the main building into 12 apartments. But the apartment conversion never took place and in 2019 he had fresh plans for a larger scheme of 16 apartments refused by Harrogate Borough Council. Pineheath was built in the 1890s during the town’s Victorian heyday and in the 20th century was home to Sir Dhunjibhoy Bomanji and Lady Frainy Bomanji, who were well-known figures in British high society and mixed with royalty. Sir Dhunjibhoy was knighted in 1922 after he used his enormous wealth to support Britain’s fight against Germany in the First World War. After being widowed in 1937, Lady Bomanji threw herself into life in Harrogate founding the Friends of Harrogate International Festivals and was its president in the 1970s. But after she died in the 1980s it was untouched for decades with personal belongings left to gather dust including jewellery, clothing and children’s dolls. Pictures taken inside the home a decade ago were featured in a Daily Mail article that brought Pineheath national attention and described it as “the house that time forgot”. It then became a magnet for urban explorers who came to Harrogate just to try and get a glimpse inside the eerie property, which had been stripped out since the article. The buildings were put on the market last year at a guide price of £3.5m with estate agent FSS describing it as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for developers. However, the Yorkshire Post reported that it later failed to sell with FSS forced to reduce its asking price. By Thomas Barrett, Local Democracy Reporter Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.
New wine bar to open in Harrogate this weekend
Fat Badger beer club raises £2,000 for Candlelighters
Harrogate cocktail bar named among top 50 in UK
Sunflower Bakery in Harrogate announces closure
Ripon dancing queens scoop multiple awards
Ripon Grammar named double 'parent power' award winners
Appeal following indecent exposure incident in Harrogate
New housing approved despite concerns over flooding and river pollution
Tourism tax would be a 'hammer blow' for hospitality, says Ripon MP
Councillors back plans to make improvements to Ripon Market Place
Harrogate pupils given insight into Donald Trump's White House
Royal recognition for Harrogate care company
Ripon tractor accident survivor appeals for vital blood donations
Spring Water expansion 'wrong choice for Harrogate', say Town Council
Knaresborough school hosts town's first ever laser show
Harrogate venue crowned UK's group exercise gym of the year
Tributes paid to man who 'saved' Allerton Castle
Dacre Banks village shop named national lottery community champions
Ripon wedding boutique wins prestigious regional award
Works get underway for new nursery at Harrogate primary school
