Station Gateway campaigners lose legal challenge

The Harrogate Station Gateway scheme, pictured in an artist's impression, will now proceed to the next stage

Plans to make changes to a North Yorkshire town centre can move forward after a High Court judge dismissed a legal challenge.

North Yorkshire Council previously approved traffic regulation orders (TROs) in Harrogate as part of the £12m Harrogate Station Gateway project.

However, a campaign group claimed the TROs were unlawful and the authority had failed to consider their full impact or properly consult local people.

A North Yorkshire Council spokesperson said the court ruling meant the plans could now go before the council's executive in October for approval.

The orders paved the way for changes to bus station access, a new bus lane on Station Parade and new cycling infrastructure.

In a decision published on Monday, Christopher Mark Glyn Ockelton dismissed the legal challenge from A&E Baines Limited.

Part of the legal challenge claimed the information given about the scheme was "materially misleading", which rendered the consultation "unfair or inadequate, and the making of the TROs unlawful".

But Mr Ockleton said the information provided "was not misleading in any material sense".

Summarising, he said: "This entire application is essentially a claim that despite the decision to adopt [the scheme], it should not be implemented."

Councillor Malcolm Taylor, North Yorkshire Council's executive member for highways and transport, said: "After many months of uncertainty, we welcome the court's clear and unequivocal ruling in favour of the council.

"This decision not only vindicates the thorough and transparent process we followed, but also allows us to move forward with confidence."

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