£13m revamp for conference centre agreed

The revised application to transform the entrance to the Harrogate International Centre and build two new exhibition halls has been passed by a council planning committee.

A proposal for a five-storey 107 bed hotel in the grounds of the Majestic Hotel which would lead directly into the conference centre was also agreed.

Planning committee members threw out a previous proposal to redesign the entrance last year saying it resembled a "glass box and a tent". But despite criticism from the Harrogate Civic Society over the new stone and glass design, councillors have now given it the go-ahead.

Committee member Coun Bob Nash said: "It could have been better but something is better than nothing. This design will be very functional."

The overhaul is jointly funded by Harrogate Borough Council and regional development agency Yorkshire Forward.