New Harrogate district housing plan should not be ‘tickbox exercise’, says councillor

A new plan for housing across the Harrogate district should not be treated as “a tickbox exercise”, says a local councillor.

Senior councillors are set to back drawing up a new county-wide Local Plan ahead of the creation of North Yorkshire Council on April 1.

The blueprint would look ahead for a minimum of 15 years, and at least 30 years in relation to any larger scale developments, such as new settlements or significant urban extensions. It would encompass all areas of the county outside the national parks.

Cllr Arnold Warneken, a Green Party councillor on North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret that the document had to look at the “bigger picture”.

He said the county council was in a position to be able to use the plan as a means of promoting sustainable homes, solar panels and affordable housing which is energy efficient.

Cllr Warneken said:

“We are not ticking boxes with this.

“We have to think of this as a bigger picture. It’s not just a case of putting this plan in place, it needs to be at the forefront of it all.”

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Meanwhile, Cllr Stuart Parsons, leader of the North Yorkshire Independent group on the county council, said the plan should also include a ban on fracking.

He added that the blueprint needs to take into account rural areas and health inequalities.

North Yorkshire County Council will be recommended to approve creating a new county-wide strategy at a meeting of its executive on December 13.

Cllr Matt Walker, Liberal Democrat councillor for Knaresborough West, said the move to create one plan was “common sense”.

He said:

“It is just common sense that we would think again about how and where we develop now we are part of the new North Yorkshire authority.

“Harrogate and Knaresborough has seen a huge amount of building in recent years. It has put too much strain on our roads and health services. We do need good affordable local housing, but we have to have the infrastructure to go with it. Now we are one authority, we need one local plan that addresses these issues.”

Harrogate Town Council should oversee planning

Chris Watt, vice-chair of Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour party, said a Harrogate Town Council should be set up to oversee such planning matters.

He said:

“We need more genuinely affordable and sustainable homes, with proper provision of social housing and decent infrastructure.

“With more empty business premises due to the Tories crashing the economy, we should also be looking to see if any of those can be turned into affordable accommodation for people struggling with the cost of living crisis.

“We are concerned that without a new Harrogate Town Council in charge of these matters, decisions taken by the new North Yorkshire Council in Northallerton will ignore the needs of Harrogate and Knaresborough.”

ConservatIve Cllr Simon Myers, executive member for housing and growth on the council, said the plan would help towards the council’s “ambitious targets” on climate change.

He said:

“The plan will be vital to the new North Yorkshire Council’s ambitions to deliver sustainable economic growth, through good homes and jobs, as well as the best facilities and infrastructure for everyone who lives or works in the county.

“Planning guidance will also play a key role in meeting our ambitious targets to tackle climate change. In addition, it can support other services in meeting the needs of our many communities at a local level, taking into account everything from transport and education to housing, health and social care.”

Harrogate district Local Plan set to be scrapped

Harrogate Borough Council currently has its own Local Plan which outlines where development can take place across the district until 2035.

It is due to be reviewed by 2025 but this looks set to be scrapped because of the creation of a new unitary authority North Yorkshire Council and the abolition of Harrogate Borough Council on April 1.

However, a report to councillors who will decide whether to accept the recommendation says a review of the proposed Maltkiln development, which could see up to 4,000 homes built near Cattal, will continue as planned.

North Yorkshire Police needs £12m to meet rising costs, says commissioner

North Yorkshire Police needs £12 million extra funding to tackle rising costs, says the county’s crime commissioner.

Zoe Metcalfe, the Conservative North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, is currently consulting on her budget plans for police and fire services for 2023.

The commissioner’s office says the force has a budget of £191 million — 45% of which comes from council tax payers.

However, amid soaring inflation, the force requires an additional £12 million to meet salary increases and the rising cost of fuel and utilities.

Ms Metcalfe said she expects the government to allow her to increase the police’s share of council tax by £10 a year — a 3.6% rise for a band D property.

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But she warned that this would only raise £3.1 million and “would likely lead to reductions in current levels of service delivery unless savings could be delivered”.

Ms Metcalfe said:

“One of my roles is to set the precepts for North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, something every commissioner has to do every year.

“It is never easy asking for more money, and I know that many individuals and families are facing financial pressures, but our emergency services are also dealing with rising costs as they continue their vital work to keep us all safe.

“This year is particularly challenging as I have to balance the burden on taxpayers and the growing demands for services from our police and fire and rescue services, so it’s vital that I hear your views.

“Please go online, take just a few minutes to have your say and I will ensure your views are reflected when decisions are made.”

Meanwhile, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue would require an additional £2 million for next year, the commissioner’s office estimates.

Ms Metcalfe said she expects the government will allow her to raise the fire precept by 3% – which would raise £700,000.

However, the commissioner’s office said this would be “significantly below inflation and would likely lead to reductions in current levels of service delivery”.

Ms Metcalfe is expected to outline her budget plans for fire and police services in February 2023.

The consultation into police and fire precepts closes on January 16, 2023. You can take part in the survey here.

Another Harrogate district school looks set to close

North Yorkshire County Council looks set to open a consultation on whether to close a school between Ripon and Boroughbridge.

Under the plan, Skelton Newby Hall Church of England Primary School would shut in August 2023. The council will recommend carrying out a consultation into the plans at a meeting on December 13.

A council report said numbers at the school has been “falling over the past few years” and there were concerns about the impact on pupils’ education.

As of this year, nine children and one nursery pupil were on roll at the school. It has capacity for 52.

The low number has meant key stage two teaching has been taking place at Sharow Church of England Primary School, which is federated with the school.

The report added:

“The governing body have been active in their collective efforts to raise numbers at the school through many initiatives over recent years including the introduction of nursery provision in September 2019, which has attracted some children to the school, although numbers have been small.

“Marketing of the school has been a collective effort by governors, staff and parents though this has not had a long-term result.”

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The county council estimates pupil numbers “will not recover significantly in the longer term and may reduce still further”.

In autumn this year, the governing body of the school approached the county council to request a consultation on a closure.

The report added:

“This decision was not taken lightly by the governing body. 

“The main issue was being able to provide such a small number of pupils with the rounded education that they deserve together with little prospect of future improvement in pupil numbers.”

The council has proposed that, should the school close, then the catchment area will be taken in by Kirby Hill Church of England Primary School.

A consultation into the closure will be held from January 2023, if approved. Senior county councillors will make a final decision whether to close the school next year.

Fourth school to close?

Skelton Newby Hall Church of England Primary School could become the fourth Harrogate district school to close in quick succession.

Kell Bank Church of England Primary School in Masham closed after 200 years in summer last year.

Baldersby St James Church of England Primary School, near Thirsk, closed in summer this year and Woodfield Community Primary School will shut this month.

However, governors at Fountains Earth Primary School in Upper Nidderdale withdrew their request for a consultation on closure this year and the school remain open.

 

New housing plan to be created for Harrogate district

A new Local Plan guiding where land can be used for housing and employment for decades to come is to be drawn up for North Yorkshire.

Harrogate Borough Council currently has its own Local Plan which outlines where development can take place across the district until 2035.

It is due to be reviewed by 2025 but this looks set to be scrapped because of the creation of a new unitary authority North Yorkshire Council and the abolition of Harrogate Borough Council on April 1.

North Yorkshire County Council will be recommended to approve creating a new county-wide strategy at a meeting of its executive next week.

However, a report to councillors who will decide whether to accept the recommendation says a review of the proposed Maltkiln development, which could see up to 4,000 homes built near Cattal, will continue as planned.

The new Local Plan would look ahead for a minimum of 15 years, and at least 30 years in relation to any larger scale developments, such as new settlements or significant urban extensions. It would encompass all areas of the county outside the national parks.

Cllr Carl Les, the Conservative leader of the authority, said:

“A robust Local Plan that sets out an ambitious vision and a clear framework for growth will ensure that we keep control of how and where development takes place.

“By ensuring a local focus, we can protect and enhance the quality of the places in which we live, creating sustainable economic growth and prosperous communities while safeguarding the natural and heritage assets that are such an important aspect of our county.”

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Cllr Simon Myers, executive councillor for growth and housing, said

“The plan will be vital to the new North Yorkshire Council’s ambitions to deliver sustainable economic growth, through good homes and jobs, as well as the best facilities and infrastructure for everyone who lives or works in the county.

“Planning guidance will also play a key role in meeting our ambitious targets to tackle climate change. In addition, it can support other services in meeting the needs of our many communities at a local level, taking into account everything from transport and education to housing, health and social care.”

Developer plans 24 homes in Summerbridge

Developers have lodged plans to build 24 homes in Summerbridge.

Nidderdale Estates Ltd submitted the proposal to Harrogate Borough Council to build the scheme on land at Braisty Wood off the B165.

It would see a mixture of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes built at the site, which is allocated for housing under the Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-2035.

The developer said in documents submitted to the council:

“A high quality development is proposed that will sit comfortably within the village and the AONB setting. 

“The design and detail will build upon the qualities found within the local vernacular, creating a development with a sense of identity.”

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

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Business Breakfast: Experienced solicitor returns to Harrogate law firm

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal

A Harrogate law firm has welcomed back an experienced conveyancing solicitor to the company.

Liz Webster has returned to LCF Law, where she last worked in 2012.

She said:

“Having started out as a legal executive more than 24 years ago, I worked at firms in Wakefield, Leeds and Bradford before qualifying as a solicitor in 2007 and then becoming a partner at the Wakefield-based firm where I started out.

“I have taken two career breaks to travel and worked for LCF Residential in between but having settled back in Yorkshire, I was keen to return to the firm permanently. The ethos at LCF Residential is unparalleled and the team are first-rate.”

Julie Davis, a director at LCF Residential, said:

“We are thrilled to have Liz back. Despite the ever-changing political landscape, the housing market has remained buoyant, with lots of transactions.”

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Harrogate company reaches supply agreement with Romanian security firm

A Harrogate communications firm has reached an agreement with a Romanian security company to supply telephone and workplace technology.

Storm, which is based at Cardale Park, has announced the partnership with Civitas Group, which works with major oil, gas and petrochemicals companies in the country.

The Harrogate-based firm will supply Civitas with workforce management and communications technology, including radio phones known as Push-to-Talk over Cellular.

Luke Wilkinson, founding director of Storm, said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with Civitas Group, a long established and highly respected provider of security services to blue chip clients and their interests across Romania and its fast-growing economy.

“Our agreement represents a new customer and new region for Storm and is another sign of increasing market confidence in the strength and resilience of our world-leading technologies.”

Man fined for breaching Harrogate council order over scrap cars

A man has been fined for breaching an enforcement notice by storing scrap cars at a Harrogate district farm without permission.

Malcolm Grange, 67, of White Wall Farm in Felliscliffe, was found to have breached the order which was first issued to him in May 2016.

Harrogate Borough Council ordered Grange to stop using the land for the storage of external vehicles, vehicle parts and tyres without planning permission.

The 67-year-old appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on November 28 charged with breaching the order between July 27 and September 3, 2021.

He was fined £480, ordered to pay costs of £2,700 and a victim surcharge of £48.

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Grange, who was convicted for a similar offence in 2012 by the Environment Agency, had initially appealed the order to the government’s Planning Inspectorate.

However, planning inspector John Braithwaite ruled in favour of the borough council.

He said:

“Evidence indicates that the land was in use for the storage of vehicles, vehicle parts and tyres on the date of issue of the enforcement notice.”

Starbeck woman, 67, takes on swimming charity challenge

A Starbeck woman is set to take on a 50-length swim in aid of a children’s cancer charity.

Carol Bland, who is 67 and has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis and fibromyalgia, aims to raise funds for Candelighters, which helped her after her 12-year-old daughter Faye died.

Faye had leukaemia and passed away in 1991.

Carol said the Leeds-based charity helped the family during the two years her daughter was ill.

She said:

“The Candlelighters did a lot for us as a family for the two years that Faye was ill. They also provided us with a free caravan at Primrose Valley after we lost her.”

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The 67-year-old now wants to thank the charity for their help and is planning a 50-length swim at Starbeck Pool.

She will take on the challenge on her birthday and is asking for donations instead of presents.

Carol added:

“I’m not in the best of health anymore and can’t participate in the walks or runs so I decided that for my birthday on December 17 instead of presents I would ask for sponsorship to do a 50-length swim of Starbeck Pool.”

For more information about Candlelighters and to donate to Carol’s swimming challenge, visit the donations page here.

Plan to create six flats above former Harrogate Orvis store

Plans have been lodged to create six new flats above the former Orvis store in Harrogate.

The proposal lodged by York-based Balance Planning Solution Ltd on behalf of Andrew Farrar would see the upper floors of the unit on West Park converted for housing.

Orvis closed its doors back in April after 25 years of trading in the town.

The plan would see part of the ground floor unit converted for access to the apartments, along with an entrance to the back of the building next to the Coach House flats on Robert Street.

It would see a mixture of one bedroom and two bedroom apartments created.

The developer said in documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council that the plan would not include any extension of the building.

It said:

“It is considered that the proposed scheme responds to the constraints of the site, planning policy constraints and its heritage context and should fall within the parameters of acceptable development.”

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

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Plan to convert Glasshouses pub into holiday cottage rejected

A plan to convert a former Glasshouses pub into a holiday cottage has been refused.

The Birch Tree, at Lupton Bank, closed its doors back in March 2020 due to the covid pandemic.

In plans lodged to Harrogate Borough Council, Harrogate Architectural Ltd said the site had been marketed extensively without success.

The fresh proposal would have seen the empty public house converted into a two-bedroom holiday cottage.

However, the borough council rejected the plan on the grounds that the loss of the pub was “not justified”.

In a decision notice, the authority said:

“The proposal would result in the loss of the community facility and this loss is not justified, therefore the development is in conflict with policy HP8 and part F of policy EC7 of the Local Plan.

“It has not been demonstrated that reasonable attempts have been made to actively market the land and premises in line with the requirements of policy HP8.”

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The site has already seen three cottages built under a previous planning permission, with the pub reduced in size.

In planning documents for the fresh proposal, the developer said the building had been put on the market without success.

It said:

“These premises have now remained empty since March 2020 when the previous tenant walked away due to the pandemic. 

“Since that time two agents have marketed the property including a specialist in selling public houses, for a period of seven months. 

“Since that time the applicant has continued his own marketing, all without success.”