Preliminary work begins on Harrogate Borough Council’s new HQ

Preliminary site work is now underway on the creation of new headquarters for Harrogate Borough Council.

Harry Fairclough Construction has been appointed as the main contractor for the project, which will see a purpose-built, energy efficient building constructed at the council’s Knapping Mount site.

Scheduled to last for six weeks, the development’s early work will involve preparing the site so that demolition work can begin. Fencing will be erected so that the site is safely cordoned off and two site offices will be installed.

Demolition of the current buildings will take place between November and December, so that construction of the new headquarters can commence in the new year. The new building is expected to be completed in spring 2017.

The new energy efficient offices, which have been designed by Leeds-based architects Farrell and Clark, will see council services operating from a single site rather than five separate locations.

Therefore, the council will be able to offer better customer services and maximise staff efficiency by reducing duplication, sharing resources and streamlining processes and management arrangements.

Moving to the new offices will see annual efficiency savings of around £1m, and will also provide a platform to drive further operating improvements in the future.

Councillor Graham Swift, the Harrogate Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Tourism, Economic Development and Enterprise, said: “The creation of new council headquarters is a momentous occasion for Harrogate Borough Council. The move will allow us to improve on the service we offer our customers and provide long term savings for the council taxpayer.

“We are keen for residents to be kept informed about progress and as such a blog has been created by the lead contractor Harry Fairclough Construction which will be frequently updated with information and will provide the opportunity for people to ask questions about the project.

“This project has been many years in the making, and I am delighted that we will shortly begin creating offices which will have far reaching benefits for the whole of the district.”

David Jones, Managing Director of the Yorkshire division of Harry Fairclough, added: “We are excited to get started on this iconic project that will provide an energy efficient, inspirational working environment for Harrogate Borough Council’s employees. We will be engaging local trades on the build and look forward to working closely with the Harrogate community.”

Paul Jagger, partner at architects Farrell and Clark, also commented: “It has been an inspiration working so closely with the team at Harrogate Borough Council to create this new facility for the people of the Harrogate district and we are thrilled that preliminary site work is now underway”.

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