Survey reveals groundswell of opposition from local traders who want money spent on generating economic growth, business rates reductions and better public services instead.
The Harrogate business community has overwhelmingly rejected the controversial Station Gateway proposal according to a new survey where a huge majority said it would not benefit the local economy.
Close to 200 traders responded to a survey which asked for their views about the development and its potential impact on the town.
When asked whether they supported or opposed the scheme, which has been a source of intense local contention for years, 91% were against it, just 5% were for it and 3% didn’t know.
Major concerns raised by the business community include uncertainty about the impact it will have on local trade, lack of consultation and clarity over what the final scheme will look like, disruption during the construction works and lack of evidence that Station Gateway would have a positive impact for Harrogate.
When asked whether they thought the scheme would impact the future trading of their business, 96 respondents said it would, 46 didn’t know and 20 said it would not. More generally, 109 people said they thought it would have a harmful impact on their business, 14 felt it would have no impact and only seven felt it would be positive for them.
A staggering 94% of respondents said the Gateway plans would not benefit local people and visitors while a similar number (93%) doubted that it would benefit the local economy.
The Get Away group has now written to both Simon Lightwood MP, the minister for Local Transport at the Department for Transport and Tom Gordon, the MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough to highlight the concerns raised.
Steven Baines, a local business owner and spokesperson for the Get Away campaign which carried out the survey, said the results highlighted the overwhelming opposition to the scheme from Harrogate’s business community.
Steven said: “Given the huge groundswell of opposition, we call on North Yorkshire Council to stop wasting any more money on a scheme which is neither wanted or needed.
“It is clear from our research that the council has not taken the views of local businesses into account and just want to push this through against the wishes of the community.
“Quite clearly, the money would be better spent on the things we really need for Harrogate such as economic growth, support for local businesses and better public services including roads, policing and healthcare.
“Just this week, around 20 councillors walked out of a North Yorkshire Council meeting where the annual budget was being discussed. They were protesting about lack of transparency and decisions being made behind closed doors which are not in the public interest. This is exactly our view on the way the council conducts its business and this needs to stop. Local democracy needs openness and a willingness to listen to the electorate; sadly, this is very much lacking at North Yorkshire Council.”
In the Get Away business survey, an overwhelming 151 people, making up almost nine-out-of-ten respondents, (88%) said there were far more pressing issues for Harrogate than Station Gateway. When asked what these issues were, common themes included:
- Road and Pavement Maintenance – there were strong calls for fixing potholes, resurfacing roads, improving footpaths and ensuring better traffic management.
- Town Centre Revitalisation – issues identified included addressing empty shops, attracting new businesses and supporting existing ones through lower business rates and improved infrastructure.
- Traffic and Parking Issues – concerns were raised about congestion, a need for better traffic flow, improved parking options (including more availability and lower costs) and calls for a bypass.
- Public Cleanliness and Maintenance – there were requests for more street cleaning, better waste collection and maintaining the town’s appearance (e.g. flower displays, clearing litter).
- Business Support and Economic Growth – suggestions included reducing business rates, offering incentives to independent retailers and encouraging more visitors and shoppers.
- Public Services and Amenities – there were calls for more policing, investment in healthcare and schools, and better support for homelessness and social care.
- Opposition to Current Development Plans – Many respondents believe the proposed scheme to be ineffective, wasteful or damaging to local businesses. There were strong sentiments that local voices should be heard and that decision-making should better reflect the needs of residents and businesses.
The survey findings come as North Yorkshire Council is under increasing pressure to axe the Station Gateway proposal. The Get Away campaign group has already instructed lawyers to challenge the council’s handling of the scheme in the High Court amid concerns that it acted Illegally.
The Get Away group – which include freeholders, tenants and high street retailers – have also launched a hard-hitting multi-media campaign to mobilise traders.
Just last week, the group received a huge boost when prominent local businessman Chris Bentley offered them ‘resources and lobbying support’ to advance their cause.
Bentley, owner of Hornbeam Park Developments, said he could no longer ‘observe from afar’ as he accused North Yorkshire Council of being ‘dictatorial’ and ‘dangerous to our town’.
