Ripon City Council

Mayor's Parlour Town Hall Market Place South Ripon North Yorkshire HG4 1DD

email: [email protected] Telephone 01765 604097

Our Ref: GB/MFS 21st September 2012

Gary Bell Chief Planner Department of Development Services Harrogate Borough Council Knapping Mount West Grove Road Harrogate, HG1 2AE

Dear Gary,

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR A RIPON NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Thank you for the support you have so far given us on the process to have a Neighbourhood Plan for Ripon. We are excited about undertaking a Neighbourhood Plan for Ripon, and there is widespread support in the City from organisations ranging from the Greater Ripon Improvement Partnership, the Ripon Chamber of Trade and Commerce, the Ripon Civic Society to the Chapter of Ripon Cathedral, and many other bodies and individuals.

We have already applied to Harrogate Borough Council to designate the City of Ripon as a neighbourhood area; the precise area is shown on the attached map and is the area which is administered by Ripon City Council. This area is considered appropriate to be designated as a neighbourhood area as it covers the built-up extent of Ripon City and is the area where previous local strategy efforts have been focussed. However, we recognise that the role of the City doesn’t stop at this administrative boundary and once work on a Neighbourhood Plan commences we will seek to involve neighbouring parishes e.g. Sharow and Littlethorpe.

The City Council will lead the Neighbourhood Plan and has formally appointed Cllr Mick Stanley as the Chairman of the Plan Committee comprising of two Cllrs from each ward and invited individuals representing the groups and organisations noted above.

The City Council has discussed and agreed the need to prioritise the following issues: • the revitalisation of the City Centre; measures including town centre management, use of empty shops, parking and the use of land, facilities and premises • the rebalancing and growth of the local economy, through wider complementary links, the use of land and premises and a more vital and vibrant city centre • the provision of community infrastructure and making the most financial benefit out of new development in the neighbourhood • the establishment of neighbourhood development orders where desired and appropriate in order to speed up development • the potential of Ripon’s built and natural environment, especially for tourism and business growth • promoting more sustainable development through wise use of existing facilities and resources and an understanding and respect for the setting of Ripon

I am sure that other issues will be agreed as the process of preparing a Neighbourhood Plan begins.

We are aware of the need to work within the strategic framework that has been set out in the Harrogate Borough Core Strategy and we are committed to continuous engagement with the Council. We do not intend the Neighbourhood Plan to be an impediment on the preparation of wider plans, and see these new powers as enabling a mature and productive relationship with Harrogate Borough Council.

Yours sincerely

Cllr M F Stanley Chairman, Finance & General Purposes