Latest news with #DavidWaddington
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Harrogate College redevelopment approved despite parking concerns
Plans for the £22m redevelopment of Harrogate College have been approved.A North Yorkshire Council planning committee unanimously voted in favour of the rebuild at a meeting on Tuesday, despite concerns about main college building will be demolished, with a new hub built on Hornbeam Park's business estate set to train students in green technology.A previous version of the plans was approved last year, but later quashed following a judicial review. The owner of Hornbeam Park Developments had appealed against the initial ruling on the grounds an environmental impact assessment had not been revised plans for the rebuild included a changed car park layout with spaces for 110 vehicles and a new drop-off and pick-up area with a one-way system, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Speaking ahead of the meeting, some claimed there was still a shortage of parking space linked to the Waddington, of Hornbeam Park Developments, said: "This isn't about opposing investment - we want Harrogate College to thrive and for students to be given the best further education experience to help them succeed - but these plans just don't add up."The scheme in its present form is simply madness and a waste of public funds."Speaking at the meeting, councillor Robert Windass said he had a "great deal of sympathy" for those concerned about parking. 'No perfect solution' He continued: "No matter where you want to build in the middle of an existing estate, whether it's housing or a building of this size, there's going to be some disruption."There always is, there always has been."Councillor Monika Slater said: "There isn't a perfect solution, but the measures the college is proposing to put in place seem really, really comprehensive and well thought out."Funding of £20m has been secured from the Department for Education for the redevelopment, with a further £2m provided by college operators the Luminate Education after the meeting, Danny Wild, Harrogate College's principal, said: "The new campus will enable increased breadth and quality within the curriculum on offer at the college, allowing us to better support local and regional skills needs."As the only general further education college in the area, I'm excited to see the benefits these new facilities will bring local young people, adults and the economy."Construction work is due to begin in the coming months, with the new buildings set to open during the 2026 academic year. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Campaign group says 'unbelievable' station gateway plans need to be scrapped
Campaigners fighting plans for the £12m Harrogate Station Gateway scheme have seized on comments from North Yorkshire Council's leader suggesting there is doubt over the success of the project. The Get Away group also claims the bad news contained in the government's Spring statement highlights the need to scrap the work. The scheme would see work in the station area to improve traffic flow, create new cycling infrastructure and improve pedestrian accessibility and public spaces. North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les said in a news report last year on the task of balancing the needs of pedestrians, cycle users and the business community, 'whether we've got it right, only time will tell.' Get Away member David Waddington, of Hornbeam Park Developments Limited, said of the comment: 'This is unbelievable and clear that the council does not know whether it's going to work or not, but yet happy to spend more than £12m in finding out. 'It's hardly a vote of confidence in the scheme they are pushing the town's population to accept.' Bur Cllr Les said the campaigners were 'playing with semantics'. He added: 'No business plan, no matter how well researched, can be 100 per cent certain of success. RECOMMENDED READING: 'We are responding to competing demands, the demands of part of the community for a more welcoming, more traffic-free Harrogate town centre, whilst also listening to the concerns of the business community for a welcoming and thriving retail centre. 'We have made alterations to the initial scheme based on consultation feedback on those competing demands.' Mr Waddington said this week's gloomy Spring Statement highlighted the financial constraints facing the country. He added: 'Enough is enough now. The time has come to pull the plug on this unwanted and totally unnecessary project which will do nothing for Harrogate except to tank the local economy. 'Our traders need all the help they can get in difficult times like this but forcing Station Gateway on the town could be the final nail in the coffin for many.' Get Away has launched legal action in a bid to stop the Gateway scheme. The group has instructed lawyers to challenge North Yorkshire Council over its issuing of traffic regulation orders. But North Yorkshire Council has said it will defend the project and says work could start soon on elements not covered by the orders.
