Latest news with #HornbeamParkDevelopments
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.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New plans for £22m Harroagte green technology hub submitted
The £22m redevelopment of Harrogate College into a green technology hub is set to be approved, despite a successful legal officers at North Yorkshire Council are expected to recommend the scheme be greenlit when councillors meet on Tuesday.A previous application for the new hub on Hornbeam Park was approved by the council in April last the decision was challenged by Chris Bentley, owner of Hornbeam Park Developments, on the grounds that the council had not considered whether an environmental impact assessment was needed. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a judicial review upheld the appeal and quashed the original planning updated plans are now due to be presented to councillors to make a fresh approved, the work would see the main college building demolished and a new hub built to train students in green proposals include a mock hospital ward, a digital technology suite and an electric vehicle workshop. The council has received 37 objections to the original scheme, including concerns about parking for staff and students during the construction phase and after the work has been the latest plans include several changes to the initial proposal, with a reconfigured car park layout with spaces for 110 vehicles and a new drop-off and pick-up area with a one-way updated landscaping scheme is also proposed, along with a revised solar panel layout on the roof of the main teaching a report, planning case officer Kate Broadbank said the proposed redevelopment was acceptable and met local plan policies. 'Meet evolving demands' Funding for the work has been pledged by the Department for Education, but it was feared the legal challenge would threaten the release of the Harrogate College bosses confirmed this week that ministers had agreed to extend the principal Danny Wild said: "Our college plays a unique role in training the local workforce and our sustainable new base will enable us to take this to another level as we equip learners, of all ages, with the expertise they need."It is hoped the hub will open in summer 2026. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
