Council consults on review of Harrogate Conservation Area
13 October 2009
Anyone
with an interest in protecting the unique character of Harrogate is invited to respond to an appraisal of the town's conservation area.
Harrogate Borough Council's Planning Team has already held workshops and two exhibitions to explain why the appraisal is taking place and the draft appraisal document is now ready to be consulted on.
Comments can be made until
11 December 2009.
Harrogate is the largest of the 52 conservation areas in the district that are currently being reviewed.
The Borough Council is proud of the district's natural and built heritage and depends on additional controls to help protect important features that contribute to its unique character.
Harrogate Conservation Area was adopted in April 1973 and its boundaries have been reviewed and amended four times since its designation, the last time being in March 1995.
The conservation area is extensive and has within it areas of very different character: for example the high quality but intimate shopping areas, the open area of the Stray, the arcadian Duchy Estate and the tree lined avenues of fine late Victorian terraces.
Councillor Don Mackenzie, Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport, says the time is right to draw up a new conservation area appraisal, evaluate its special features and to understand how the local community values the unique qualities of the important Spa town of Harrogate.
He said: "Its designation as a conservation area gives Harrogate greater protection against inappropriate development.
"We are keen to hear from anyone who lives or works in Harrogate, or from those who know the town and want to see its qualities reviewed and be provided with even greater protection.
I would like to thank everyone who has contributed so far, including the Duchy Residents' Association, particularly Peter Whittle, Malcolm Neesam, our local historian who has contributed to the section on the town's history, and the council's design and heritage team, who spared no effort to produce a very valuable document.""
The draft area appraisal is available on the council's website
www.harrogate.gov.uk/harrogate-971 After the consultation closes, amendments will be made and the final version of the appraisal will be approved by the council as evidence for development control purposes.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Councillor Don Mackenzie is available for comment on 01423 872211 or 07957 304109