Concerns have been raised about the absence of a secondary school in plans for a new Harrogate district town of up to 4,000 homes.

The proposed town, called Maltkiln, will be built in the Hammerton and Cattal area and will include a GP surgery, shops and two primary schools — but not a secondary school.

According to a North Yorkshire County Council report, the scheme proposes to expand Boroughbridge High School, which has about 600 students, to meet demand for secondary school pupils.

Land in Maltkiln has also been “safeguarded” for a high school, but this would only be built in future should it be required.

Green Party councillor Arnold Warneken, who represents Ouseburn, told a Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee meeting today that plans to expand Boroughbridge High School to meet demand would generate its own problems.

He added that local residents were surprised the development did not have its own secondary school given that thousands of homes are expected to be built.

Cllr Warneken said:

“This is a massive impact on this community and everything needs to be in place that is going to address that impact.

“The pupils are not just going to come from the Maltkiln development, they are going to come from places like Whixley, Green Hammerton and Tockwith as well. All of those have experienced big developments as well.

“I am concerned that we are asking, as a result of Maltkiln, for a school to be further developed in Boroughbridge when I believe that Boroughbridge has its own set of problems in terms of levels of development and the number of pupils that will generate.”

Boroughbridge High School.

Officials at the county council said in a report that it was “not expected” that the size of the development would “generate sufficient pupils” to require a new secondary school.

Sue Turley, strategic planning officer in the county council’s children’s and young people service, said the council had forecast that Boroughbridge High School would be able to meet the demand for secondary school pupils from the new town.

She said:

“In terms of the secondary provision, it is expected that Boroughbridge High School would be expanded because there is sufficient space at the school and to grow the school, which is part of a federation with King James School.

“However, it is important to realise that there is safeguarded land within Maltkiln for secondary provision as indicated should this be required in the future. There is that provision there and I think that everybody wanted to see that there was that provision in that development plan for the site, which is now being consulted on.”

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Cllr Pat Marsh, chair of the area committee, raised concern that the move did not meet the sustainable aims of the development.

She said:

“Why are we saying this is a sustainable community and yet expecting children to travel at 11 to Boroughbridge?

“Then this joining with King James becomes problematic because Knaresborough itself has got over 1,000 new houses and where is the secondary school there? It’s King James.

“So there is going to be a major issue with secondary schools.”

Extension of consultation

Harrogate Borough Council has agreed to extend a consultation into  Maltkiln until November 25.

Council officials launched a six-week consultation on October 3 into its draft new settlement development plan document, which sets out a 30-year vision and policy framework on how the town is designed and developed.

However, Cllr Warneken, who represents Ouseburn on North Yorkshire County Council, called for an extension amid concern that the planning process was being rushed ahead of the new North Yorkshire Council coming into being.

He issued the plea after it emerged the consultation documents had been changed midway through — without people being told — and raised the prospect of a judicial review.

You can take part in the consultation over the new town here.

The A59 at Kirk Hammerton is closed in both directions due to serious crash.

North Yorkshire Police said the road is closed between Station Road to York Road and Maston Lane to York Road.

A police statement added:

“Motorists are advised to find an alternative route if travelling between Harrogate and York.”

We will update this story as we get more information.

Motorists should be aware of ongoing works in Goldsborough which may cause delays during rush hour.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Ongoing works on Station Road in Goldsborough may cause delays for drivers this lunchtime.

Station Road in the village is closed while a new electrical supply is installed for a new housing development.

The work is due to continue until December 16. Bus services through the village have also been diverted as a result of the roadworks.

Meanwhile, motorists should be aware that traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 near Goldsborough continue to cause delays for drivers during rush hour.

The three-way lights at the junction with the A658 has seen queueing traffic for motorists over the last few weeks.

Yorkshire Water is carrying out work to lay a new water main for a housing development.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, the work is due to remain until November 27.

Motorists should expect the usual traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road this morning.

Trains and buses

This morning, Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal.

However, commuters should be aware of planned industrial action on the railways this Saturday (November 26) as the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLF) plan to walkout.

It will see no Northern services operating on the day. LNER, which operates services to London King’s Cross, has asked passengers to check train times before they travel.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting cancellations on its 36 service this morning. You can get updates here.

The bus company has announced that the 21 at Goldsborough will be diverted from today due to electrical works on Station Road in the village until December 16.

The service will miss stops towards Knaresborough at Princess Mead, War Memorial and Greystone Farm.

It will also miss stops towards Boroughbridge at Princess Mead, Midgely Land and Nr Roundabout.

Read more:

• North Yorkshire transport boss warns bus network faces ‘really grave situation’
• 80 bus services in North Yorkshire under threat, says Harrogate district MP

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

A Harrogate marketing agency has made four new appointments after a period of growth.

Extreme, which is based at Windsor House, said it has seen an increase in enquiries from companies despite the tough economic climate.

The firm has appointed account manager Eliza Carroll and delivery executive Josh Parker to its client services team, while Rob Curtis joins as a senior digital designer and Rebecca Bailey as PPC executive.

James Brunyard, client services director at Extreme, said:

“We’re already really looking forward to 2023 and our great new hires are testament to the fact that post-pandemic recovery continues, even with the current climate.

“Brands are ready to invest in their marketing again and we’re in the perfect position to help.”

Black Sheep wins at international beer awards

Black Sheep Brewery won five awards at this year’s International Beer Challenge.

The Masham-based brewery saw its Cry Wolf IPA win a gold award in the IPA category and its Black Sheep Ale pick up silver in the British Style Pale Ales & Bitters (4.1-5%) category.

Black Sheep Brewery staff with the five beers which picked up awards.

Meanwhile, the brewery saw its 54 Yorkshire lager, Milk Stout and its IPA Interrobang all win bronze.

The company said on its website:

“We’re over the moon with these awards, and along with other awards in the bag this year, it’s safe to say we’ve had a great 30th year.”

The International Beer Challenge is held annually and aim to “reward and promote excellent beers from around the globe”.

Read more:

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A Pannal man has taken Harrogate Borough Council to appeal for refusing to let him prune willow trees which he believes hang precariously over his house.

Professor Alejandro Frangi, who is an internationally renowned expert on computational medicine, lives by Crimple Beck with his wife and eight children.

He believes the trees next to his house could fall in strong winds and threaten the safety of his young family.

But the council refused him permission to reduce the willows in 2020 and Mr Frangi has now taken the authority to the government’s Planning Inspectorate.

He told a hearing this morning he decided to appeal after the council made the trees subject to a tree preservation order (TPO) following his proposal.

Mr Frangi had previously accused the council of acting “unreasonably” over the matter and made a formal complaint, which the council rejected.

No suggestion of felling

Mr Frangi said he was “not suggesting felling” the trees and that he would rather they were reduced in size.

He told today’s hearing:

“The crown reduction is the least of evils”.

But the council said it took requests for reduction in trees under TPO on a “case by case basis”.

Professor Frangi believes the trees are unsafe for his young family.

Joshua Arthur, speaking on behalf of the authority, said that works to the trees was also “considered unjustified”.

He added that the work would be a “detriment to the conservation area” if felled.

Read more:

• Pannal man accuses council of acting ‘unreasonably’ over leaning willows

• Listed building in Harrogate could be converted to flats

Alan Gilleard, the council’s arboriculture manager, added that work to reduce the size was not a common practice for TPO trees.

He said:

“This is not something we routinely support without strong justification.”

Mr Frangi also argues that the trees are unsafe for his family as they can fall over in strong weather conditions.

He told the Stray Ferret previously:

“These trees risk falling on to my side of the river, straight on my property, posing a risk to my family and property. The council has been acting unreasonably, dismissing the risks and putting TPOs on the trees instead of protecting us.”

William Cooper, a government planning inspector who oversaw this morning’s hearing, will make a site visit to the trees before making a final decision at a later date.

Health bosses have issued a plea to visitors to Harrogate District Hospital to wear face masks amid a growing number of people refusing to follow guidance.

Officials at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said they had seen increasing number of people being verbally aggressive towards staff when they are asked to wear a face mask or replace one after removing it.

The plea comes as the hospital has warned that covid remains a “significant threat” and that it is seeing further admissions for the virus and flu going into winter.

Dr Jacqueline Andrews, medical director at HDFT said: 

“We may no longer be at the height of the pandemic, but covid continues to be a threat for the people in our care and we must do all we can to protect them and the staff who look after them.

“Should a patient contract covid from a visitor, it can lead to a prolonged stay at the hospital due to the need for them isolate. This can impact on bed availability for people needing other forms of treatment.

“Wearing a face mask is simple to do and can make a real difference. If you are asked to wear a mask, please remember it is for the protection of the loved one you are visiting. We are merely asking visitors to follow mask wearing guidance in certain areas of our hospital and we will not tolerate aggressive or abusive behaviour towards our staff at HDFT.

“I would also encourage anyone who is eligible to get a covid booster and a flu vaccination to do so to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

Read more:

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Visitors to inpatient wards are expected to wear masks as part of hospital guidance unless they are exempt.

The Harrogate district covid infection rate is currently 35 cases per 100,000 people.

A missing Knaresborough man has been found after a police appeal.

The 68-year-old was last seen on Tuesday (November 22) leaving his home.

North Yorkshire Police described him as of slim build, 5 ft 6, with long grey hair which is balding on top.

A police statement issued this morning confirmed he was found following the appeal.

Read more:

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Fire fighters tackled a deliberate lorry fire on the A168 near Cowthorpe last night.

Crews from Knaresborough and Harrogate attended the blaze at 11.21pm.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire was inside the trailer of the lorry and the cause was believed to be deliberate.

Crews said the trailer was stationary.

The service added in an incident log:

“Crews extinguished the fire using two breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets, small tools and a thermal imaging camera.”

Read more:

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• ‘Harrogate firefighters being used as guinea pigs’, says union
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Commuters should be aware of upcoming train strikes in the Harrogate district this weekend.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic and travel update.

Roads

Motorists should expect the usual traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road this morning.

Drivers are urged to take care on the roads this morning following low temperatures and heavy rain forecast for the Harrogate district later this morning.

Meanwhile, motorists should be aware that traffic lights on the A59 York Road near the junction with the A658 near Goldsborough continue to cause delays for drivers during rush hour.

The three-way lights at the junction with the A658 has seen queueing traffic for motorists over the last few weeks.

Yorkshire Water is carrying out work to lay a new water main for a housing development.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, the work is due to remain until November 27.

Drivers are urged to allow extra time if using the route this morning.

Trains and buses

This morning, Northern services between Harrogate and Knaresborough going to York and Leeds are scheduled to run as normal.

However, commuters should be aware of planned industrial action on the railways this Saturday (November 26) as the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLF) plan to walkout.

It will see no Northern services operating on the day. LNER, which operates services to London King’s Cross, has asked passengers to check train times before they travel.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Bus Company is currently reporting cancellations on its 36 service this morning. You can get updates here.

The bus company has announced that the 21 at Goldsborough will be diverted from today due to electrical works on Station Road in the village until December 16.

The service will miss stops towards Knaresborough at Princess Mead, War Memorial and Greystone Farm.

It will also miss stops towards Boroughbridge at Princess Mead, Midgely Land and Nr Roundabout.

Read More:

• ‘Use it or lose it’ warning as bus passenger numbers fall across Harrogate district
• YorBus: On-demand service’s running costs are twice as much as regular buses

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

A Harrogate digital agency has announced the appointment of a new commercial director.

IDHL Group, which is based on Otley Road and specialises in e-commerce, digital PR and social media, has appointed Tom Rigden to the newly created role at the company.

Mr Rigden will be tasked with overseeing the company’s web division as part of the new position.

He said:

“Idhl is an exceptionally well-run agency group with a proven growth model. The clear vision and ambition presented to me by the board made it hugely compelling for me to join. 

“I’m looking forward to bringing my experience and energy to the talented team here and am excited about what we can achieve together.”

Dennis Engel, chief executive of the company, added:

“As we continue to see tremendous growth within the digital space, this latest appointment signifies our commitment to bring onboard people that strengthen who we are and what we offer. Tom has the expertise and know-how to bring a new proposition to the business.

“We’re delighted to welcome him to IDHL and to get started on this new chapter within the group.”

Harrogate business event to focus on hospitality support

Support for the hospitality sector in Harrogate will be discussed at a business event this week.

Organised by Philip Bolson of Mr B Hospitality in partnership with York & North Yorkshire Growth Hub, the event will hear from experts and politicians on how the industry can grow in the coming years.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones and Helen Suckling, partnership and commercial manager at Destination Harrogate, will be among the speakers.

Mr Bolson will also address the discussion, as well as Danny Wild, principal of Harrogate College, and Ross Tatham, general manager of Goldsborough Hall.

There will also be an opportunity for attendees to network and develop contacts.

The event will be held at Goldsborough Hall on Friday, November 25, at 1pm. You can find out more information on how to register here.

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