Double glazing plan for Turkish Baths’ dome

The plans will be considered by senior councillors in the town this week in a move which aims to slash energy bills and improve the council’s green credentials by cutting carbon emissions. They will also be asked to consider a trial which would see lighting reduced at a multi-storey car park.

Senior officers at Harrogate Borough Council are stressing that improvements need to be made to cut bills at a time when energy costs are rising but also to stop the authority being liable for a high carbon tax as part of Government energy reduction targets.

Members of the council’s cabinet will meet on Wednesday to discuss a number of other options as part of a review of energy, including the trial scheme to reduce lighting at the Jubilee multi-storey car park.

A report prepared for councillors warns there are fears the move could lead to an increase in crime – but a police architectural liaison officer has noted there are no current reported incidents and says ensuring the “uniformity of lighting” is key.

Members of the cabinet will be asked to back proposals to double glaze the glass dome at the Turkish Baths which officers say could save 50 per cent of the heat loss from the windows, subject to further consideration by a planning listed buildings officer.

However, the report adds: “The Turkish Baths are part of a ‘listed’ building and there are concerns over the visual impact of this measure.

“The service supports this recommendation subject to consideration of the visual impact and ‘listed’ building issues.”

Cuts have already been made and the local authority has pledged to reduce its energy consumption by 40 per cent by 2020. It has to pay a tax based on its emissions and is keen to keep the costs of this tax as low as possible.