College rebuild 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 parking.

The 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 completed.

The 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 development.

David 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.

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 Group.

Speaking 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.