Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors have approved a plan to erect planters and bollards on the small road outside the council's former offices at Crescent Gardens in Harrogate.
Impala Estates, which owns the Crescent Gardens building and hopes to purchase the road from North Yorkshire Council, are now expected to apply for a stopping-up order from the Department for Transport which would officially close the road to the public.
The area’s planning committee considered the planters and bollards planning application for a second time today after deferring a decision last month.
The proposal will involve the loss of 35 parking spaces but Impala said in a statement that pedestrians and cyclists who are using the refurbished building will still be able to use the road.
Impala bought Crescent Gardens in 2020 for £4m and it already has permission to it into office, restaurant and bar space although work is yet to begin.
Rebecca Oliver spoke against the proposal on behalf of Duchy Residents Association.
She said the road eases traffic from the Duchy Estate into the town centre and is also used as a drop-off point for visitors attending the convention centre, Royal Hall and a doctor’s surgery on Kings Road.
Ms Oliver added:
“A sale of a publicly owned road seems highly unusual and we ask councillors what precedence that sets.”
Hamish Robertshaw spoke on behalf of Impala and said the road closure would enhance the appearance of Crescent Gardens and the town centre.
Cllr Robert Windass (Conservative, Clare & Boroughbridge) spoke out against the proposals and described the process as “completely and utterly wrong” as well as “seedy”.
He argued the removal of parking spaces would lead to a loss of revenue for the council.
Because a deal to purchase the road from the council is dependent on planning permission being granted, Cllr Philip Broadbank (Liberal Democrat, Fairfax and Starbeck) said it had put councillors in an uncomfortable position. “I’m very unhappy about it,” he added.
Cllr Chris Aldred spoke in support of the plans and dismissed the argument that motorists would find it more difficult to park in town because of the plethora of other options in Harrogate.
The committee’s chair, Cllr John Mann (Conservative, Oatlands & Pannal) said he was satisfied that the road closure was necessary whilst emphasising a final decision will be made by the secretary of state for transport.
Cllr Mann said:
“Impala wants people to flock to their offices, restaurants and bars, they not going to deter people. They want to attract the punters. The last thing on their mind is to exclude people.”
The plans were approved by 5 votes to 1.
An application to the Department for Transport for the stopping-up order will be made at a later date and will be subject to public consultation.
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