Harrogate says Leeds’ plans to build a new conference centre could threaten their own
. Harrogate Convention Centre says the “size and scale” of Leeds’ plans will draw big gatherings away from its own venue.
At a meeting in August, centre director Paula Lorimer claimed analysis suggesting the impact on Harrogate would be minimal was “flawed, inaccurate, out-of-date and in some areas totally wrong”.Despite further talks taking place between the parties since, no middle ground appears to have been reached.
Leeds planning officers, drawing conclusions off the back of further studies, insist the effects of the development on Harrogate will be “reasonably negligible” and have recommended the development be approved. A report prepared for councillors ahead of next Thursday’s crunch meeting said HCC “do not agree” with the analysis carried out. HCC has indicated it would not oppose the building of a smaller conference centre in Leeds but the venue in its current form would offer 42 per cent more space than Harrogate.
The Harrogate Hospitality and Tourism Association, along with six of the town’s hotels and four local councillors, have also objected to the scheme. While their views are well-documented, the scale of the project in Leeds remains unchanged from the original proposals.