Go-ahead for Harrogate Town’s ground upgrade

Harrogate Town AFC have been given the green light for the redevelopment of their Wetherby Road ground, adding new facilities and almost doubling capacity. The development will support the club’s aim of eventually securing promotion to the Football League.The club’s application was granted approval at a meeting of Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee yesterday (24 April 2018).Proposals include a new two-storey clubhouse, seated terraces, an office building, classrooms to be used as community facilities and a new, improved floodlighting solution. The club’s recently-installed 3G playing pitch was also approved by members. The development will increase the capacity of the ground from 2,800 spectators to about 5,000.The club was advised on its application by advised by Indigo Planning and the scheme was designed by Bowman Riley Architects.The club has used the site for training and matches since 1919 and spectator facilities have been expanded in recent years.They have ambitions to get promoted from National League North to the National League and eventually the Football League. To meet this target, an upgrade and improvement to the playing and spectator facilities is required to meet the Football Association’s (FA) requirements.Other consultant team members included; Bowman Riley (design), Curtins (flood risk, drainage, geo-environmental and transport), SJB Floodlighting (lighting), Apex Acoustics (noise), Smeeden Foreman (arboriculture and ecology), GWPS (sustainability).