A plan to demolish a dilapidated house in Knaresborough and replace it with 8 apartments has been recommended for refusal by a council officer.
Councillors on the Harrogate & Knaresborough planning committee will meet on Tuesday to have the final say on the scheme.
It would see a property on Stockwell Road demolished and replaced with a building that includes six 2-bedroom and two 1-bedroom apartments.
According to planning documents, the unlisted property is believed to be hundreds of years old and has “major issues” with subsidence, damp and dry rot which has left the upper floors uninhabitable.
It said the building is in such poor repair that refurbishment of the property would be unviable.
Owner Paul Franklin submitted a similar scheme for 9 apartments at the site last year but it was withdrawn before a decision could be made.
The latest application is being considered by the planning committee after being ‘called in’ by division member Cllr Hannah Gostlow (Liberal Democrat, Knaresborough East).
In a report prepared for councillors, an officer gave several reasons for why they think it should be refused.
The report said:
“Car parking, refuse store and cycle storage would be set between the build form and the public highway, presenting as a substantial area of hardstanding with the apartment block being visually cramped due to the limited width of the site, between St Margaret’s Road and St Margaret’s Gardens.
“The development would appear as a visually incongruous addition to the street scene which does not respect the pattern of development. The proposal is contrary to Local Plan Policies HP3.”
The application received 23 objections from nearby residents with many fearing the development’s impact on Stockwell Road which has traffic lights nearby as well as a bridge.
Others said it would make parking issues on the St Margaret’s estate worse.
The officer also raised concerns about traffic in their report.
They added:
“The proposal does not demonstrate safe access and egress from the site onto Stockwell Road, which is a congested section of road adjacent to a junction and traffic lights leading towards the town centre.”
Mr Franklin commissioned a traffic survey of Stockwell Road in February 2024 which showed that on a normal day, 2,869 vehicles go southbound on the road and 2,192 go northbound. It reported the average speed limit on the road is around 20mph.
A design and access statement attached to the application said the application complies with planning policies and should be approved.
The planning committee will take place at 2pm on Tuesday with the meeting streamed live on YouTube.
Vale of York services given go-ahead despite "rape of countryside" claim
Traffic to use new A59 Kex Gill route for first time tomorrow
Annual Tour de Aky set to hit £10,000 target
Harrogate bus staff nominated for national award
Parking warning issued after Burnsall car park closes
Spire Harrogate Clinic earns top housekeeping award
Otley music studio launches six-week daytime courses
New guide helps families find free and low-cost summer fun
Much-loved Slingsby Gin becomes new Festivals' partner
Princess Royal to become Great Yorkshire Show President
Concern over lack of consultation ahead of Lifeline cuts decision
Animal charity launches £2 million redevelopment appeal
Sneak peek: New Otley play area starts to take shape
Historic Harrogate pub named among the UK's best by The Telegraph
Police appeal to find wanted Harrogate man
Harrogate MP calls on new Prime Minister to overhaul 'broken' water industry
Harrogate nursery children get messy for International Mud Day
Harrogate Autumn Flower Show to celebrate 50th anniversary
Ripon swimming sensation secures dream move to US university
First look at Ripon Workhouse Museum after £2.8million refurb
