- Call comes as planning committee set to make a decision on the new Harrogate College development
- Current plans would see millions in public money wasted and bring parking chaos to local residents
- Proposed smaller facility a mismatch for college growth ambitions
- Campaign group calling for ‘smarter solution’ which delivers for students, staff and the people of Harrogate
A local campaign group is calling for a critical rethink of the £20 million plus Harrogate College redevelopment plans before they become a ‘costly and irreversible lesson in poor decision-making’ that fails students, staff and the wider community.
RE:VISION – Harrogate College, led by Hornbeam Park Developments, has issued the urgent call to action following the planning committee’s recommendation to approve the new development ahead of its meeting on Tuesday 27 May
Previous plans for the development were subject to a judicial review and led to revised plans which have done little to deal with parking issues on nearby roads that have caused significant opposition from local residents.
In addition to parking issues, at the heart of RE:VISION’s objections is the proposal to demolish the college’s main teaching block – a building refurbished just eight years ago with millions of pounds in public funds. This demolition is expected to slash the site’s value from around £5.5 million to just £1.25 million, wiping out years of investment for no clear benefit.
Even more troubling, according to the campaign group, is the college’s plans to replace it with a smaller facility – which will be supported with £16 million of taxpayers’ money – despite a rising student population that grew from 775 to 825 last year alone. RE:VISION – Harrogate College warns this downsizing risks locking the college into a space that won’t meet its future ambitions or provide real, long-term value for money.
The group warns the impact of the plans will also be felt beyond the campus. During the two-year construction, only 12 parking spaces would be available on-site for nearly 1,000 students, staff and workers, forcing an estimated 143 cars to overflow onto nearby residential streets. Once the new building opens, the shortage continues, with just 105 parking spaces planned – further straining already overcapacity local roads and Hornbeam Park station.
RE:VISION – Harrogate College has already begun issuing Parking Chaos Notices (PCNs) to neighbouring residentsto alert them of the impending disruption.
Campaign group spokesperson David Waddington, a consultant with 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. The new building has been described as ‘future-proofing’ the college – but in reality, it fritters away millions in public funds by demolishing a recently upgraded facility, slashes the site’s value, causes years of parking chaos on local roads and locks the college into a downsized building that jeopardises its capability to meet rising student demand.
“On the one hand the council is underplaying the parking impact on local roads but on the other it’s set aside a fund to support staff in paying for alternative public transport to the college or for parking nearby. The latter means that thousands more pounds of taxpayers’ money will also be used to support the transportation of staff to the college over a two-year construction period.”
RE:VISION – Harrogate College is calling for a smarter alternative to the redevelopment which would see the new facility built on vacant, high-potential land directly adjoining the existing campus. By taking this approach, the group says the college can:
- Deliver a purpose-built, future-ready space for a growing student population
- Preserve the existing main building, allowing it to be sold for its maximum value on the open market and help fund the new build
- Save millions in public spending
- Ensure ample on-site parking during and after construction – easing access for students and staff, and protecting surrounding residential streets from overspill traffic
David Waddington added: “Harrogate deserves a college that is fit for the future – not a costly compromise that sells everyone short. There is still an opportunity to build something truly forward-looking, but the clock is ticking, which is why we are urging the planning committee to ring the bell on these flawed proposals and back a smarter, more sustainable solution.”
Chris Bentley, local business leader and owner of Hornbeam Park Developments, also emphasised the importance of a clear, ambitious vision for a future-ready college. He has pledged his support to help the college build world-class partnerships with leading global businesses, but has pointed out that such opportunities depend on the college’s commitment to an ambitious and forward-thinking development plan.
He said: “Harrogate College has tremendous potential. Unlocking it will require bold ambition and a development approach that truly supports students and benefits the wider Harrogate economy for years to come.”
RE:VISION – Harrogate College is encouraging residents, students, staff and the wider Harrogate community to speak out on the planned new college scheme – whether or not they live on the development’s boundary. Resources for taking action are available on the campaign group’s website at www.re-visioncampaign.co.uk.
One Response
There is a simple medium position and that is to use the college owned land (the old playing fields) as a temporary car park during construction or even permanently. Relatively low cost and removes the parking issue. Also the pull in next to the college is already used by parents dropping off their children for the primary school due to blocking of the road to the school. Extra car parking helps this issue as well.