Harrogate Council urges residents to share views on Ripon Masterplan

A citizens’ panel has been launched by Harrogate Borough Council to get feedback on a new masterplan for Ripon, building on the ambitions of the city’s Neighbourhood Plan.

The Council has appointed Bauman Lyons Architects to develop the ‘Ripon Renewal’ masterplan, with previous engagement exercises with stakeholders and 16-30-year-olds revealing that the priorities for the community are road safety, pedestrian priority and safe cycle networks, and less cars on the roads around the marketplace.

The young residents also highlighted the need for youth focused services and activities, a greater choice of skills training and further education, accessible community space, improved aesthetics and affordable housing.

Trevor Watson, Harrogate Borough Council director of economy, environment and housing, said: ‘It is a priority project for us, and we want to work with the community in Ripon to build upon the work already undertaken by the local community in drawing up the City’s Neighbourhood Plan and the many other opportunities and assets Ripon has to develop a joined-up and detailed masterplan.’

As travel was identified as a priority for the city, Bauman Lyons Architects held a workshop to identify key issues and solutions for the masterplan, including better use of the market place as a civic space, priority to pedestrians and bicycles in the city centre, better traffic management, a mobility hub and a new green route to link the Workhouse Museum and cathedral.

Residents can apply to join the panel online or in writing by August 23, with the panel selected from the expression of interest received, ensuring members are as representative of the demographics of Ripon as possible.

Irena Bauman, from Bauman Lyons Architects, said: ‘Ripon is a wonderful gem, but it needs to adapt to be relevant to young people and to their futures. We are looking forward to working with everyone, especially the young, towards a common vision of 21^st Century Ripon.’

In related news, Oxford City Council have opened a consultation to get public feedback on The Oxfordshire Plan 2050, the strategic planning framework for the future of the county.

Photo by Thomas Vogel