Agenda item

To advise of a petition containing more than 500 signatures and ask the Committee to consider a response.

Considered

A report advising Members of a petition containing more than 500 signatures, verbal additions to this report from Nick Turpin, Development Service Manager (South Area), and a verbal statement from Guy Wilson, Chair of the Ripon Military Heritage Trust (RMHT).

Nick Turpin outlined the report, informing Members that the petition related to the planning application 20/02973/EIAMAJ, which was granted permission at the 14 May 2024 Strategic Planning Committee, subject to conditions and the completion of a s106 agreement. It was explained that the report to the Strategic Planning Committee covered military heritage in detail and that Members of the Committee discussed the issue during the meeting. Mr Turpin drew the AC’s attention to Condition 47, which requires a heritage strategy to be submitted prior to the submission of the first reserved matters application and for the strategy to be brought back to the Strategic Planning Committee when the first reserved matter application is dealt with.

Guy Wilson introduced the petition, stating that as he served as Master of the Armourers; led in creating the Royal Armouries, Leeds; and was previously a director of a national museum, he understands that not everything can be saved. He went on to highlight the importance of the site stating that:

·        The site formed part of Ripon’s North Camp in the First World War, where soldiers trained or recovered from injuries.

·        The foundations of the power station that powered both of Ripon’s camps and the remains of the weir are present.

·        The School of Military Engineering was in Ripon during the Second World War and evidence of this training is on the site. Cold War training bridges are also present on the site.

·        The wooden huts of Deverell Barracks are unique.

Mr Wilson suggested that despite the aforementioned Condition 47, the heritage of the site is not protected and there is no plan for the area’s archaeological investigation or preservation. He informed the Committee that the idea of re-erecting some of the more important huts away from the site had not been progressed. He also informed the Committee that RMHT has no formal stake in the project, and therefore can’t fundraise to support it, something that could take significant time.

During the debate on this item, the following points were raised:

·        There were concerns that there may not be enough time between the heritage strategy being submitted and the first reserved matter application being dealt with, and therefore, RMHT could not have time to fundraise. RMHT cannot start fundraising until there is confirmation of a location that the heritage assets can be preserved on.

·        Members highlighted that the 23 February 2023 Harrogate Borough Council Planning Committee and the 14 May 2024 North Yorkshire Council Strategic Planning Committee were supportive of finding a location for the heritage assets. It was also highlighted that the Council’s Conservation Officer supports the retention of a selection of buildings and the bridges at Laver Banks if feasible.

·        It was suggested that Officers bring in experts to assist with finding a solution due to the specific nature of the situation.

·        Members highlighted that retaining some of the buildings on the development site without a proper scheme in place would leave them vulnerable to vandalism. It was suggested that the huts should become a tourist attraction that draws people to the city.

Following the debate, Nick Turpin informed Members that Officers were supportive of trying to find a solution but reminded them that it is up to Homes England and the Ripon Military Heritage Trust to put proposals forward.

Members supported the petition, and it was proposed to take the action requested by the petition and write a letter to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Homes England, to express the Area Committee’s disquiet at the apparent disregard of the military heritage on the site. This should urge them to properly and promptly consider the preservation of the military heritage, and encourage discussions between the Ripon Military Heritage Trust and Homes England.

A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 11 votes for, none against and 2 abstentions (those Members that are members of Strategic Planning Committee).

Resolved

a)     That the Area Committee takes the action requested by the petition.

b)     That the Area Committee writes to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Homes England, to express the Area Committee’s disquiet at the apparent disregard of the military heritage on the site. This should urge them to properly consider the preservation of the military heritage and encourage discussions between the Ripon Military Heritage Trust and Homes England.