York and North Yorkshire Mayor calls for extension to funding deadline for £22m Harrogate College upgrade

David Skaith, who was elected Mayor of York and North Yorkshire earlier this year, has written to the new Secretary of State for Education requesting an extension to the time limit for a project aiming to help Harrogate College rebuild its campus.

Mr Skaith has asked for an extension to the deadline attached to the Department for Education’s (DfE) funding for the £22m project, which is designed to upgrade the college’s facilities so they can meet the area’s current and emerging skills needs.

The campus redevelopment was due to start this year and complete in 2025. However, the launch of a Judicial Review has knocked the timetable back, in a move that Mr Skaith said could jeopardise the DfE funding.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Mayor’s letter to Bridget Phillipson is being supported by a host of other influential figures including Tom Gordon MP, the recently elected MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, and David Hughes CBE, the chief executive for the Association of Colleges. A number of local headteachers, employers and organisations have all also added their signatures in support.

Principal of Harrogate College, Danny Wild (left) with David Skaith, who was elected Mayor of York and North Yorkshire earlier this year.Principal of Harrogate College, Danny Wild (left) with David Skaith, who was elected Mayor of York and North Yorkshire earlier this year.
Principal of Harrogate College, Danny Wild (left) with David Skaith, who was elected Mayor of York and North Yorkshire earlier this year.

In his letter, Mr Skaith said: “I’m writing on this occasion to request an extension to the funding timeline for Harrogate College to complete the much-needed rebuild they have planned through your Department’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund.

North Yorkshire Council had granted the college planning permission, and preparations were being made for construction to begin. However, an application for Judicial Review has been made by a local individual opposed to the rebuild. This is highly unusual given the new college is being built on the current site.

“The council remains confident that the project will still be granted planning permission, albeit at a delayed pace. This delay does mean, however, that the funding underpinning the rebuild is now threatened as a result of the expected completion date being delayed until September 2026.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Missing this valuable window of opportunity to redevelop Harrogate’s only general further education college would be a damaging outcome for local people, employers and the regional economy.”

The redevelopment would see the main college building replaced with a sustainable, modern property equipped with a host of facilities including a mock hospital ward and digital technology suite, as well as a new renewable energy technology centre opened on the campus.

Principal of Harrogate College, Danny Wild said: “I’m immensely grateful to David Skaith and others who have signed this letter supporting our planned rebuild. I hope the levels of local and regional support for the project are recognised by the new Secretary of State for Education and our request for an extension to the funding timeline is approved.”

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

News you can trust since 1754
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice