News
Talks may lead to Spa Baths being used for health care
Monday 21 April 2008
Could the Spa be turned into a health facility?
RIPON'S Spa Baths could become a health care facility under plans now being discussed by hospital authorities and Harrogate Borough Council.
The council revealed this week it was involved in ongoing negotiations with Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust as well as GPs about the future of the site.
The talks centre on the possible use of the baths for what are described as extended health care facilities and, if successful, would mean the site would not have to be sold off for housing to fund a new pool at Camp Close.
"It's encouraging that the trust, the council and the PCT have all sat down and expressed an interest in it". Alistair Ingram, Ripon GP.
"There is still a lot of work to be done," admitted council chief executive Mick Walsh. "But this does seem to be a good opportunity for all organisations."
He added: "It is hoped that the detailed discussions that now need to take place can be concluded within the next six months so that development plans can be integrated with the plans to provide a new pool."
However, Mr Walsh warned that although this is the preferred option, the council will still need to carry on exploring other options, including selling the historic baths for housing, leisure or community use.
Community use
Mayor of Ripon, Coun Andrew Williams said: "This demonstrates what others have been trying to tell those who have been campaigning against the council's proposals – that the council's preferred option is a community use for the current pool site.
"Any organisation has to have a fall-back position and that position is housing, but that is not something the council is desperate to see happen."
Ripon GP Alistair Ingram has been involved in the discussions and says he is cautiously optimistic about the plans.
"It's encouraging that the trust, the council and the PCT have all sat down and expressed an interest in it. This is an opportunity over the next few months to explore possibilities and to ensure we have high quality, sustainable health care."
The news was welcomed by Ripon Civic Society's David Winpenny who said: "If the PCT were to take it onthen that would be a fantastic conclusion. We would welcome that but we will have to wait and see before we start jumping up and down. But if it comes to fruition we would be very happy."
The announcement comes in the same week the Save Our Spa campaign group handed a 3,128 signature petition to Harrogate Borough Council calling for a full public consultation on the future of the Spa Baths.
Local support
Speaking at the council's meeting on Wednesday night, Karyn Fleeting of Save our Spa, said the campaign had won massive local support.
"The turnout and reaction of the public and the number of people who have signed the petition has been frankly amazing. This is an issue that has really united the community," she told councillors, adding: "Support has been overwhelming and we do not know of any other petition that has generated such a high level of interest.
