NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2015

Transcription

1 NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2015 P L A N N I N G R E P O R T Several important planning matters have come to our attention. West Lane Perhaps the most controversial has been the application by Gladman Homes to build up to 450 houses on green field land next to West Lane in Ripon. In the Society s response to the planning application we noted that the application comes at a time when both the Local Plan for Harrogate and Ripon s own Neighbourhood Plan (the City Plan) are looking at the strategic planning context for settlement and the growth of Ripon. Harrogate Borough Council s Core Strategy, which remains in force, states that The City of Ripon will continue its successful regeneration and the redevelopment for housing of its underused and vacant land will minimise or possibly avoid the need to develop greenfield land. The development limit for Ripon still remains in force and this application is outside the limit. The application site is demonstrably beyond what is considered to be the acceptable and justifiable extent of the city. The closure of Ripon s military estate which is underway will predictably bring about applications for

2 residential redevelopment of a significant scale. Deverell and Claro Barracks are both contained within the development limit. We think it far more important for Ripon s growth to address the proper planning of the barracks. The Society therefore has objected to the application, which has yet to be determined. We also objected to the application to build 150 homes at Bellman Walk, as reported in the last newsletter; the Council has, however, approved this application. Station Hotel An application to demolish the Station Hotel on North Road and to replace it with flats has also been examined by the society s Planning Committee. We noted that the application did not address the need for a comprehensive plan for the whole frontage of the site and, if possible, for the northern part of the Auction Mart site. We particularly argued that the demolition of the Station Hotel is unnecessary and fails to assess the building s heritage importance; demolition would be detrimental to the look of the approach from the north into the city. The building, though in a shabby condition because it has been neglected, is not without its merits, and is certainly restorable. To demolish an essentially sound and reusable building is inconsistent with the principle of sustainable development. The Station Hotel could easily be adapted to provide the community facility, for which the application acknowledges a need. The Society also has concerns about the proposed scale of the development. We note that the HBC Conservation Officer s report covers most of the same points. The application is not yet determined. 2

3 Allhallowgate and Finkle Street Another important scheme, this time in the city centre, is the proposal by HBC to demolish part of the range of flats and maisonettes in Finkle Street and Allhallowgate and replace them with smaller-scale cottages; the remaining part of the flats would be refurbished and restyled. We agreed that the new cottages would present a more traditional feel in this area of the city; while we thought that the proposals for the corner at the junction of Allhallowgate with Finkle Street would help to give a more urban feel to the development, we had some concern about the proposed design. We were pleased to note that trees are retained and that more landscaping and additional car parking is proposed; the new public open space that is proposed, with a semi-circular wall and seats at the Finkle Street corner, will provide a better place for the eaters of fish and chips, who currently have only a wall on which to perch! We had some reservations about the conflict of design between the new cottages and the retained and modified flats, and we argued that if the flats are to be retained the transition of style needs to be better handled and the change of scale better signified. Although we generally supported the proposals, we expressed some surprise that the Sharow View site the former Workhouse is not mentioned in the application, nor is there any recognition of other listed buildings. We are concerned, too, that during the demolition and construction process the site will be unattractive and off-putting to locals and to visitors. The work will inevitably be disruptive, both to local residents and to the nearby businesses, so we have urged the provision of decent board fencing while the work is going on. We should also like to see some indication of a timescale for these changes. 3

4 Local Plan consultation The Planning Committee held an open meeting to discuss the Society s response to the Harrogate District Local Plan 2035 Issues and Options Consultation. It sets out possible scenarios for the Borough s housing needs for the next 20 years; all of them will inevitably see Ripon taking a proportion of new houses. The meeting decided that the approach outlined in the City Plan was the best for the city, noting that, especially with the probable advent of land when the military estate at the top of Clotherholme Road is vacated, there will be enough brownfield land in the city to accept the number of houses proposed; though as the date at which the barracks will be vacated is not yet announced, timings for these developments is tricky. It was felt that we need some clarity from HBC about its definition of Ripon; the city boundary is tightly drawn, and some proposed developments, especially the West Lane proposal (see above) are in Littlethorpe Parish, but would impact much more in Ripon. We noted that there was little acknowledgement of a strategy for green spaces in the document. As a follow-up to the meeting, the Society has draw up its response to the consultation. The Society s Responses to planning applications can be views on the website, click on News and then on Planning WHERE HAVE WE BEEN ALL SUMMER? Over the summer the Civic Society has been venturing out of the city for a series of visits, all of which proved interesting and very different. Knocking about Knaresborough In May we had a Thursday evening visit to Knaresborough, where we were shown around the town by Knaresborough Civic Society s John Richards. We visited the parish church and the castle, but also looked at some of the restraints for the development of the town, and some of the matters that the civic society has had to deal with. The evening concluded convivially with most of us having a meal in the oddly-named Six Poor Folk restaurant, just off the Market Square. 4

5 Going South Our next jaunt (sorry, study tour much more impressive!) was south by coach to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and then to Wentworth Castle. We explored the many and varied sculptures individually, including works by Barbara Hepworth, Anthony Caro and Henry Moore; there was a special Moore exhibition in one of the galleries. There was also time for a walk by the lake, and lunch in one of the cafes before we took the coach for the short journey to Wentworth Castle. Having been to the rival estate of Wentworth Woodhouse two years ago, it was interesting to see the magnificent mansion of the Earls of Strafford, with its two contrasting facades, the baroque and the Palladian, at right angles to each other. After a welcoming cup of tea, we were able to see inside the house, which is now used as an adult education college; there are some magnificent interiors, though its educational furniture is not quite in keeping with the splendour of the decoration. Our tour finished at the newly-restored conservatory (one of the runners-up in the BBC Restoration programme) before exploring the wonderful gardens with their formal and informal areas, culminating in Stainborough Castle, a large, medieval-style folly erected by the 1st Earl. At the end of the afternoon there was more tea, plus scones with jam and cream, to set us on the road back to Ripon. High times in Middlesbrough Our final visit this summer was to Middlesbrough. Some asked Why Middlesbrough? but those of us who went were impressed with what we saw. We began with a high literally, as we were taken up the Transporter Bridge in the recently-installed glass lift, and then walked along the top and back. There were great views over the town and the surrounding countryside, as well as of some of the other bridges across the Tees. We had an excellent guide, who worked as an engineer on the bridge when he wasn t guiding, and whose enthusiasm for the structure was obvious. 5

6 Back down on the ground, we had a trip across the river and back on the bridge s suspended gondola, before we travelled the short distance to Middlesbrough s railway station, built in 1877 and once the rival of St Pancras with its huge, pointed, glass-covered shed. Bombed in 1942, the shed is no more, but the hammer-beamed booking hall and the gothic-style concourse (with a 1950s concrete canopy) can still be seen. Next to the station we looked at one of the town s other important buildings, an office block for Bell Brothers ironmasters by the Arts and Crafts architect Philip Webb, before walking to the central square, dominated by the gothic Town Hall. We dispersed for lunch many took advantage of the café at the nearby Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, and explored its eclectic exhibitions before taking the coach again to the Dorman Museum and nearby Albert Park. The Museum has a great deal of local history, and interesting exhibits of the local Linthorpe Pottery and about the Victorian design pioneer Christopher Dresser, who helped to set it up. Our final call on this sunny day was to the town of Yarm, where we explored the wide high streets and its many wynds, before returning to Ripon. Our thanks to Richard Taylor, Jill Wilkinson and Brian Hunt, who did much of the organisation of these visits. 6

7 One of our Vice-Presidents, Maurice Taylor, used to take visitors on enjoyable and scary ghost walks around Ripon, an initiative that came from the Civic Society. When Maurice hung up his cloak for the last time, it was felt that they should be continued if possible, and, at the instigation of our member Tony Hirst, who is a city ambassador for Ripon, we asked our members if anyone was interested in taking over the tours. Step forward Moira Smith, former Society Secretary, who has already led some tours, which have been very popular. We are very grateful to Tony and to Moira for keeping this interesting aspect of the city s welcome to visitors going. GHOST WALKS Under the auspices of the Society, the project to consolidate the collections of old Ripon photographs and to make them available to the public has now put in an application for a Lottery Grant. This exciting work has been led by committee member Mandy Whitehead. We expect an announcement about the grant very soon so look out for what we hope will be good news! The Executive Committee of the Civic Society has decided that our Awards will be now be held every two years; even with the widening of our area some years ago, there have not been suf- 7 PHOTO- GRAPHIC PROJECT AWARDS

8 ficient projects in each category to warrant an annual event. We shall use the October meeting, which will again be at the Spa Hotel, for another event; details are being finalised, and will be circulated as soon as possible. Meanwhile, keep the date 1 October in your diary. EXPLORE RIPON ON HERITAGE OPEN DAYS The national Heritage Open Days take place in September. The Ripon openings for this year are: Saturday 12 September to The Georgian Courthouse and Holding Cell: The Courthouse remains virtually unchanged since it was built in 1830; stand in the dock to hear your fate or sit at the magistrate s bench to deliver the verdict. Displays tell the story of the courthouse and the people who passed through it. This year, the theme for Heritage Open Days is Locked Up. Especially for Heritage Open Days the original holding cell underneath the courthouse will be opened. Experience this dark and forbidding cell where prisoners would wait before being led up into the dock for trial and see what very few others have seen before. Sunday 13 September to Paupers and the Prosperous at the Workhouse Garden: Meet the Workhouse Garden team and the curators to explore the differences between the winners and losers of Victorian society. Tour the restored 1890s workhouse kitchen garden to find out what both sides ate in an age of conspicuous consumption, then join the curators in the Woodshed for a handling session of artefacts. 8

9 Sunday 13 September The Gazebo, Blossomgate: The Gazebo was constructed in the first part of the eighteenth century in the garden of a large house in fashionable Park Street. It was restored by Harrogate Borough Council, with the support of Ripon Civic Society, more than 20 years ago after many years of neglect. Two towers are linked by an open, balustraded walkway, from which the owners and their guests could look down on the extensive gardens. Visitors will be able to relive the experience, though the gardens are now in different ownership. The Masonic Hall, Water Skellgate: At the Edwardian Masonic Hall of the De Grey and Ripon Lodge visitors will be able to see some of the Masonic treasures of one of the oldest Lodges in Yorkshire, some dating from the 18th century. At the heart of the building is the Temple, where the ceremonies are carried out. Members of the Lodge will be in the Hall to talk to visitors about the building and about Freemasonry. Ripon Cathedral Ringing Chamber: In the south-west tower of the Cathedral is the ringing chamber, where visitors will be able to see where the peal of bells is rung, and hear about the art of change-ringing. There is limited space and narrow stairways, so visitors may need to wait to enter. Ripon Grammar School Library: Once the main school hall of the original grammar school buildings, the library was designed by the Leeds-based Victorian architect George Corson. Pictures and artefacts showing the history of the school will be on display, and there will be the chance for past students to share their memories. 9

10 YHACS IS FOR YOU, TOO! TALKS AND MEETINGS FOR THE REST OF THIS YEAR As a member of the Yorkshire and Humber Association of Civic Societies (YHACS), Ripon Civic Society is part of a wider movement of civic societies (some call themselves Civic Trusts) around the Region. The benefits of membership are that we get to meet others who are working for the good of their communities; we can swap experiences and problems (and sometimes find solutions) in a variety of meetings. There are four general meetings a year, in which many of the more than 40 societies get together. They are held in a different part of Yorkshire and the Humber region each time though it has been traditional for some years to have the January AGM in Harrogate, which is convenient for us! We have been as far as Cleethorpes and Hull, Richmond and Sheffield; there is usually a walk around the town in the morning before the afternoon meeting. Ripon has hosted the meeting twice, once in Allhallowgate Methodist Church Hall, where our society has its regular meetings, and once at Fountains Abbey. There is always at least one guest speaker; recent talks have been on how developers view land for new housing and on the future of the Green Belt. The next meeting is on Saturday 10 October in Pontefract all our members are entitled to attend and you will be made very welcome. The theme of the meeting is to be Design. For more details telephone: info@riponcivicsociety.org.uk. 3rd September: Talk - Public Lettering in Ripon by Paul Kershaw Allhallowgate Methodist Church Hall 2nd October: Event at the Ripon Spa Hotel (details to be announced) 5th November: A Year as High Sheriff by Tom Ramsden (followed by the AGM) Allhallowgate Methodist Church Hall 3rd December: Christmas Social Evening in The Guardians Room, Ripon Workhouse 10

11 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 5 NOVEMBER 2015 Guy Fawkes Day may or may not be an auspicious day for the Society s next AGM will there be fireworks? Possibly not, but it is an important day for the Society. This year it will be particularly important, as we need to find at least two new officers. Our very-long-serving and ultra-efficient Treasurer Keith Surman has indicated his intention to step down at the AGM. And unfortunately our recently-appointed Secretary, Brian Hunt, has had to relinquish the post because he is unwell, so we are currently without anyone in that important post. Questions to ask yourself It is therefore very important that all our members ask themselves two questions: Can I help to run the Society as a member of the Committee? And do I have the skills to be Treasurer or Secretary? The duties are not particularly time-consuming, but they are vital: we cannot run the Society, and do the important work that we have been doing over almost 50 years, without people coming forward. This year at least two Civic Societies in Yorkshire, at Horbury and Market Weighton, have almost closed; they are currently being run by people from outside their areas who are on the committee of the Yorkshire and Humber Association of Civic Societies. The hope is that by giving these societies a breathing space new people will come forward to run them. It would be very sad if Ripon Civic Society was added to that list. 11

12 Ripon Civic Society is a Registered Charity, No: