North Yorkshire County Council has “no option” but to press ahead with plans to close Woodfield Community Primary School in Harrogate, local authority officials have said.

Senior county councillors on the executive today agreed to publish formal closure notices from September 2022 ahead of a final decision to close the school from December 31.

Stuart Carlson, director of children and young people’s services at the county council, said although it was “regrettable” that it had to close the school, the authority had no alternative.

He said:

“It is regrettable and with heavy hearts that we come to this decision.

“But there is no further options available to us now other than to move to the recommendations.”

Mr Carlson added that a “thorough consultation” was carried out into the closure and that it had exhausted all options available to it.

He denied that the executive of the council would be “ignoring” parents by going ahead with the closure plans.

Mr Carlson said:

“I don’t think we have done [ignored parents]. We have conducted a thorough consultation, we have looked at all the proposals that have been put forward and we have indeed tried our hardest working with the governing body and other schools to find a solution.

“But they are no longer available to us.”

Read more:

• Woodfield school parents ‘frustrated and upset’ after merger U-turn
• Woodfield school closure ‘an absolute disgrace’, says union

Liberal Democrat councillor Monika Slater, who represents the Bilton Grange and New Park division, said she believed pupils at Woodfield should have been given greater priority for places as she also urged the council to learn lessons for the future.

She said:

“Part of the issue comes down to the fact neighbouring schools have been allowed to become oversubscribed.“

“And I was disappointed to hear that children were going to be treated the same as any other child in the area who wished to move given their situation is somewhat different when we are potentially looking to close the school.

“I really feel these children should have been given a higher preference on their choices.”

Conservative councillor Paul Haslam, who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge on the county council and is also a governor of the school, called for a “post-mortem” into the downfall of Woodfield school.

A motion from Harrogate Borough Council asking to keep the school open was also considered.

But councillors said they had no other option but to move ahead with the closure plan.

Failure to find academy

The school was rated inadequate by Ofsted in 2020 and placed into special measures.

The rating meant the school had to become a sponsored academy, but it failed to find a backer.

A proposed merger with Grove Road Community Primary School fell through this year, prompting the county council to open a consultation on closing the school in the next academic year.

The school is also faced with a cumulative deficit of £229,000 in 2023/24 due to low pupil numbers.

Union bosses in North Yorkshire previously described the move to close Woodfield as an “absolute disgrace”.

The publication of the statutory notices will include a four-week period for objections to be made to the council by October 6.

Should a final decision to close the school be approved in October 2022, it would include expanding the catchment area of Bilton Grange and Grove Road Primary Schools to cover the Woodfield area.

This story is sponsored by Stray Podiatry.

A new podiatry clinic has opened in Harrogate aimed at tackling a growing need for the service in the area.

Stray Podiatry, which is located on Wetherby Road, was opened by Maxine Wrightson and Katie Bradley earlier this year.

The pair, who are both fully qualified podiatrists and have a background in the NHS, set up the business after spotting a need for podiatry in the town.

Both Maxine and Katie had different routes into the industry, but share the same passion to offer patients a quality service.

For Katie, it was after suffering with plantar fasciitis and a painful crack on her heel. She went on to see a specialist podiatrist, who inspired her to enter the industry.

Meanwhile, for Maxine, a career in healthcare stemmed from watching her family receive great care while ill and realising “what a difference it can make”.

She said she settled on podiatry after seeing the “real improvement” she could make to a person. 

She said:

“I decided on podiatry because there is a lot of variety in the role and you can make a real improvement to a person’s comfort and mobility, often after just one appointment.”

Providing gold standard care

As a result, the pair came up with the idea to set up their own clinic and Stray Podiatry was born.

The clinic, which is just off the Woodlands junction on Wetherby Road, is newly renovated with modern facilities.

Katie Bradley and Maxine Wrightson, founders of Stray Podiatry in Harrogate.

There is free parking and new patients are being taken on daily.

Maxine and Katie said the goal of the clinic is to offer gold standard care, as well as excellent aftercare.

“We are a newly established, rapidly growing practice, who are continuously adding new services and committed to providing the gold standard of care for our patients.

“We both work as a team, bringing different strengths and complimenting each other. We are passionate about patient education and providing excellent aftercare for our patients.”

Stray Podiatry offers a range of services, including nailcare, corns, verruca treatment, ingrowing toenails, nail surgery, biomechanical assessments and orthotics.

Both Maxine and Katie also offer home and care home visits.

All are welcome to arrange an appointment. There is no waiting list and all new patients receive a free foot health check.

Book your appointment on the Stray Podiatry website. Alternatively you call them on 07874141634, message them on Facebook or send an email to straypodiatry@gmail.com.

Extreme hot weather affected the Harrogate district today. Here’s a look back at today’s heatwave news.

It’s supposed to be even hotter tomorrow — please send details of travel problems/cancellations etc to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

6.49pm – Harrogate Grammar School to close tomorrow

Harrogate Grammar School, the largest school in the Harrogate district, is to close tomorrow due to the extreme weather.

In an email to parents, headteacher Neil Renton said:

“The classrooms seem to be tracking at least 2 to 3 degrees above the external temperature.

“The forecast for tomorrow from 1pm is 36 degrees with this rising to 38 degrees by 2pm. We have found even the temperature today to be an unbearable temperature for children to learn.

“Despite our best efforts to cool the building over the weekend, closing all the blinds, we now have high levels of residual heat in school from a very warm day today.

“Despite giving out free bottles of cold water to the children at lunch, our site team making outdoor spray stations and adjusting uniform expectations, the school has been very uncomfortable.

“The fact that we have a very strong remote learning offer, developed through two lockdowns, means that we can maintain the continuity of provision.

“As a result, we have made the decision to close the school due to the extreme weather conditions forecast.”

Hampsthwaite Primary School has also told parents that although the school will be open, if parents are uncomfortable sending their children to school it will not be considered unauthorised absence.

If you have details of other school closures tomorrow, message us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

5.25pm – Help a hedgehog during the heatwave

HAPPY (hedgehog appreciation prickly pals Yorkshire), based in Ramsgill, has asked people to leave a bowl of water out for hedgehogs during this week’s heatwave.

5.25pm – Fountains Abbey to open tomorrow – but no guided tours

National Trust-owned Fountains Abbey has said it will open tomorrow but urged people not to bring dogs and to consider coming on Wednesday, when cooler temperatures are forecast.

1/3 Whew! Today was a scorcher and tomorrow is set to be even hotter. Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal will be open tomorrow but we would really recommend visiting on a different day if you can.
The site is very large with steep hills and few shady spaces. Visitors should prepare pic.twitter.com/AmhpXcSMQX

— Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, National Trust (@fountainsabbey) July 18, 2022

2/3 for walking for long periods in the direct sun and bring plenty of water and suncream. Please don't bring dogs with you if you're planning a visit tomorrow.
The weather is due to break on Wednesday so we should be back to normal then. For now, we wont be running

— Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, National Trust (@fountainsabbey) July 18, 2022

3/3/ guided tours and we may have to close some areas early for the welfare of our team.
Stay safe and cool – we'll be posting about ice and snow before you know it!

— Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, National Trust (@fountainsabbey) July 18, 2022

3.45pm – Some bin collections delayed

Harrogate Borough Council has said not all of its scheduled bin collections have been completed today because of the rising temperatures.

It has asked anyone whose collection has been missed to leave their bin out and crews will aim to return when the weather is cooler later this week.

Some collections from today (Monday) are also outstanding as our crews deal with the rising temperatures. Please continue to leave your waste or recycling out as we'll aim to return later in the week.

Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.

— Harrogate Borough Council (@Harrogatebc) July 18, 2022

3.15pm – No London trains from Harrogate tomorrow

LNER has confirmed that no trains will be running from Harrogate to London Kings Cross tomorrow.

The company is running a reduced service due to extreme heat.

🛑#LNERUpdate On Tuesday 19 July, DO NOT TRAVEL between #LondonKingsCross and south of #York & #Leeds, as no trains will run. Only travel if necessary to other destinations.

Visit our website for further information including refunds https://t.co/Suwuk0LDfB pic.twitter.com/yU4Ldpw8mU

— London North Eastern Railway (@LNER) July 17, 2022

2.25pm – Temperatures reach 34 degrees in Knaresborough

The temperature has reached 34 degrees in Knaresborough, according to local weather stations.

Areas in Harrogate are currently at 32 degrees.

2.05pm – New caves keep people cool at How Stean Gorge

Visitors to How Stean Gorge in Nidderdale are keeping cool by using two new caves that the attraction has bought.

The two new caves are Hazel Close Cave, which is about 120 metres long and only accessible via a ladder, although features a walking passage for 37 metres. Oxbow Cave is the second new cave, on the north side of How Stean Gorge and is 25 metres in length.

Tony Liddy, director of How Stean Gorge, said: 

“We’ve transformed the site with our ambitious expansion plans to cater to the huge demand for adventure tourism. Acquiring the caves is an important part of that, as we want to showcase nature’s stunning playground in this unique gorge that has existed for ten thousand years, since the last Ice Age.”

1.05pm Quiet on the Stray in the afternoon sun

It looks like most people are heeding the warnings not to sit out in the sun today, with the Stray looking all but deserted in the high temperatures.

We saw just a few people walking across the grass, and even one runner, but it’s much quieter than usual for this time of day.

Meanwhile, the town centre itself feels quiet, though some hardy shoppers were still out on Cambridge Street – mostly sticking to the shade along the south side.

12.58pm: 34 degrees reported in Burn Bridge

According to local weather stations, Burn Bridge is the current hotspot, with the mercury hitting 34 degrees centigrade.

12.44pm – Umbrellas up as Harrogate hits 30 degrees

It’s a day for brollies… although not for their usual purpose. How are you spending your lunch hour?

11.45am – Harrogate charity offers help during extreme heat

Harrogate Easier Living Project has offered support to those struggling during the hot weather.

The charity is offering people emotional and practical support during the soaring temperatures.

If you, or anyone you know, is struggling with the heat, needs help and doesn't know where to turn, please call HELP on 01423 813090 and we can offer friendly practical & emotional support in #Harrogate #Knaresborough #Ripon and surrounding villages #HeretoHELP @HADCAcharity pic.twitter.com/9M3YJvNm8h

— HELP charity #HereToHELP (@HELP_Harrogate) July 18, 2022

11.30am – Ripon family enjoys the sun

It’s warmer than the Bahamas at the Borrage Green Lane Paddling Pool in Ripon, where mum Paula and her children Oli, two, Ted, six, and 10-year-old Arabella were managing to keep cool with an 11am dip.

11.15am – County council urges people to look out for each other

North Yorkshire County Council has urged people to look out for each other during the extreme heat.

Let's look out for each other during the hot weather.

Please remember to check on family, friends or neighbours who may need help keeping cool.

The heat can affect anyone, but for some it can have serious effects on health.

Get #heatwave advice ⬇️https://t.co/LvFJHsibGi pic.twitter.com/aq0af1CC4V

— North Yorkshire Council (@northyorksc) July 18, 2022

10.55am – Knaresborough Town postpones match

Knaresborough Town AFC has postponed its pre-season friendly tomorrow due to the red weather warning.

The club was due to play Campion AFC at Manse Lane tomorrow evening.

FIXTURE UPDATE!
Due to the red weather warning which is in place for Tuesday we have decided to postpone our pre-season friendly with @CampionAFC on Tuesday evening. There will now be no game at Manse Lane on Tuesday 🔴⚫

— Knaresborough Town AFC (@KnaresboroughFC) July 17, 2022

10.50am – Convention centre issues advice

Harrogate Convention Centre has issued advice to those attend this week’s Home and Gift Fair.

The event is set to take place this week during the heatwave.

The convention centre has advised attendees to drink plenty of fluids, bring water with them and to look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated.

🌞🌞🌞It's getting hot, hot, hot this weekend, so if you're visiting @Home_And_Gift over the next few days please do follow the advice below 👇👇👇 #HomeAndGift #tradefair #Harrogate #BeatTheHeat pic.twitter.com/3znXqw5tHd

— Harrogate Convention Centre (@HgtConventions) July 15, 2022

10.35am – Boroughbridge care home residents enjoy ice cream amid heatwave

Residents at Boroughbridge Manor care home kept cool over the weekend amid the hot weather with ice cream.

The home timed the treats well for National Ice Cream Day as the Met Office issued a red warning for extreme heat.

Ann, a resident said:

“I absolutely love ice cream. There really isn’t anything nicer on a hot summer’s day. We have had loads to sample today with all kinds of different sprinkles and sauces. They have all been truly delicious.”

9.55am – Yorkshire Ambulance Service urges people to take responsibility for themselves during extreme heat

Yorkshire Ambulance Service has issued advice amid the hot weather.

The service is asking people to take responsibility for themselves so ambulance crews can respond to the seriously ill across the region during the heatwave.

Dr Steven Dykes, Executive Medical Director at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said:

“This advice is common sense but, by reminding everyone, we hope that it will help to reduce the number of people who suffer any ill-effects from the hot weather.

“We will always respond to anyone needing time-critical medical assistance, but we ask that people think carefully before dialling 999 and only call for an ambulance in an emergency when it is obvious that you or another person has a serious or life-threatening illness or injury.

“People suffering from minor illnesses and injuries should consider more appropriate services, such as visiting their local pharmacist or GP, attending a walk-in-centre or minor injuries unit or calling NHS 111.”

9.40am – Direct trains to London cancelled

Direct trains from Harrogate to London Kings Cross have been cancelled due to the extreme heat.

LNER is running a reduced timetable amid the weather warning.

Network Rail is advising that passengers only travel if necessary both today and tomorrow.

9.25am – Advice for drivers in extreme heat

If you’re planning on driving today, National Highways has issued advice for precautions to take before getting on the road.

It includes taking a bottle of water in your car, leaving plenty of time for your journey and checking your vehicle before you leave.

You can read the advice here.

9.15am – Spa Croquet Club postpones match

Spa Croquet Club, which plays at Studley Royal Cricket Club, has postponed its match which was due to be played today.

The Federation match has been postponed to Monday, July 25.

The friendly against Ben Rhydding due to be played today has also been postponed, but a new date has yet to be agreed.

9.10am – Dog walkers up early in Harrogate

Some dog walkers were up early to beat the rising temperatures this morning.

The heat is expected to reach highs of 34 degrees in Harrogate today.

9am – Hospitals, schools and care homes braced for hot weather

Schools, care homes and public services across the Harrogate district are putting in place measures to protect vulnerable people from the extreme temperatures expected today and tomorrow.

With the Met Office forecasting highs of 38C and red warnings in place, there is a risk to health, especially for the elderly, very young and people with existing medical condition.

You can read more on how schools, hospitals and care homes are preparing here.

8.50am – Ripon Cathedral School reschedules Shrek performance

With temperatures rising, Ripon Cathedral Primary on Priest Lane has organised for a portable air conditioning unit to be put in place in the school hall and planned performances of the Legend of Shrek by key stage 2 pupils, to be re-scheduled from tomorrow, to Wednesday and Thursday.

In a message to parents and carers, head teacher Steven Holmes said he had taken the difficult decision to move the sold-out performances until later in the week.

He said:

“We are concerned about the potential temperatures in the hall for the Tuesday performances of Shrek with over 200 bodies in one space.

“As a school we have invested in LED lighting to reduce heat and have organised for a portable air conditioning unit.”

Tickets bought for tomorrow’s performances will be automatically transferred.

8.40am – Amber weather warning

The Met Office has an amber weather warning of extreme heat for the Harrogate today and tomorrow.

The warning means that “population-wide adverse health effects are likely to be experienced, not limited to those most vulnerable to extreme heat, leading to potential serious illness or danger to life.”

It also means that “substantial changes” in working practices and daily routines are likely to be required.

8.30am – Fountains Abbey makes changes amid hot weather

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal at Ripon has made changes amid the hot weather.

Its Studley refreshment kiosk will be closing at midday and guided tours of the abbey and water gardens will not be taking place.

8am – Northern: Only travel if necessary

Northern has urged passengers to only travel if necessary during the extreme heat.

It has also warned that its services could be cancelled at short notice amid the hot weather.

⚠️ Due to high temperatures forecasted and red weather warnings in place, we are advising of ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY today as timetables have been reduced with journey times extended due to speed restrictions in place. #NorthernUpdates

More information: https://t.co/TcLjEfYttJ pic.twitter.com/xPUfFUuhnm

— NORTHERN 🚆 (@northernassist) July 18, 2022

Harrogate Grammar School has unveiled its new McHugh building and garden, which were built as part of the school’s expansion.

The development consists of three new classrooms, an atrium and garden.

The elevated ‘classrooms on stilts’ have also created space underneath for students to meet.

The stilts are steel pillars, inscribed by children of key workers and vulnerable students who attended school during the pandemic.

The £1.3 million project was built during the pandemic to accommodate the 2,000-pupil school’s growing numbers.

The McHugh building takes its name from Jim McHugh, of the Red Kite Learning Trust, which oversees the school.

His history with Harrogate Grammar School began in 1975 when his wife Pat started teaching there. He became a governor in 2004 and later became chair of governors.

Read more:

• Ofsted praises North Rigton primary school
• ‘Vibrant’ Knaresborough nursery rated ‘good’ by Ofsted

More recently, Mr McHugh was integral in establishing the Red Kite Learning Trust as its chair. 

He said:

“I was speechless when I found out new building was being named after me. It’s a wonderful 70th birthday present.

“Above all, it’s so rewarding to see the amazing improvement here at Harrogate Grammar School. Not only with an outstanding Ofsted report, but also in creating such a lovely space for students to meet, to learn together and communicate.”

An aerial shot of the new student garden at Harrogate Grammar School.

Neil Renton, headteacher at Harrogate Grammar School, added:

“Jim and Pat McHugh stand for commitment to children, for collaboration and positivity, so this is a fitting tribute to them both.

“This whole project also shows what happens when we come together with a vision to provide the very best for children. To achieve this, especially in the middle of covid, is something we are immensely proud of.”

Unveiling the plaque

The interior of The McHugh Building.

Police are investigating after two quad bikes were stolen from the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate last week.

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information on the bikes (pictured above), which are believed to have left the show in the direction of Wetherby Road.

Police said the theft happened between 3am and 4am on Wednesday, July 13.

Officers said they were appealing to the public to establish the “full circumstances surrounding the incident”.

A North Yorkshire Police statement added:

“In particular, we are appealing for anyone who has information or who witnessed anything suspicious around the area at the time of the theft.

“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email chloe.kinnear@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, select option two, and ask for PC 1606 Kinnear.

“If you’d prefer to remain anonymous you can call Crimestoppers on 08000 555 111. Please quote reference 12220121553.”

Read more:

• Local firm averts traffic danger at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show
• Man arrested after early morning Knaresborough crash
• Former Pateley Bridge police station sold for £297,000

People in parts of the Harrogate district could be set for a by-election amid reports that MP Nigel Adams is in line for a peerage.

According to The Observer, Mr Johnson is planning to award peerages to both Mr Adams and culture secretary Nadine Dorries. Both are regarded as key allies.

The awarding of a peerage would trigger a by-election, which could prove an early test for Mr Johnson’s successor.

Mr Adams, whose Selby and Ainsty constituency includes Spofforth, Follifoot, Huby and Weeton, is currently a minister without portfolio in the Cabinet Office.

Read more:

• Harrogate district MP Nigel Adams to step down at next election
• Nigel Adams MP’s £33,000 donation from former Russian businessman back in spotlight

Mr Adams has already announced he will be standing down at the next general election, which is due to take place in 2024.

He was first elected in 2010 and has defended the seat in three subsequent elections.

He currently holds the Selby and Ainsty seat with a majority of 20,137.

The Stray Ferret has approached Mr Adams for comment.

Amid the weather warning for extreme heat, those using trains in the Harrogate district are urged to only travel if necessary.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Drivers should expect the usual traffic on Wetherby Road and Skipton Road this morning during the rush hour.

National Highways has also issued advice to drivers who are planning to travel during the extreme heat. You can find out more information here.

Meanwhile, long term roadworks are in place on Station Road in Goldsborough. The road will be closed until September 19, 2022, as Stonebridge Homes installs a foul water and surface water pipes to connect to the sewer system.

A diversion route is in place in the village.

Trains and buses

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for extreme heat for today and tomorrow.

As a result, Network Rail has urged passengers on trains to only travel if necessary.

Northern has warned that its services are subject to short notice changes amid the extreme heat.

Meanwhile, LNER has cancelled its direct services from Harrogate to London Kings Cross due to the heat.

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

The Harrogate Bus Company is reporting that its 21 service will not be able to reach Goldsborough village due to the ongoing roadworks in the village.

There are also cancellations on the 1A, 1C, the 7 and the 36 this morning. You can find out more details on the disruption here.

Read more:

• Another consultation to take place on £10.9m Harrogate Station Gateway
• Harrogate property developer considers Station Gateway legal action
• New Harrogate Station Gateway details revealed

A developer has asked Harrogate Borough Council to pay £23,000 in costs after it won a planning appeal against the authority.

Yorkshire Housing Ltd took the council to the government’s Planning Inspectorate after it refused a proposal for 72 homes on Massey Fold in Spofforth.

The developer already had outline permission to build on the site, but councillors turned down an application that finalised the appearance and landscaping details in November 2020.

At the time, councillors said the plan would have a “detrimental urbanising impact upon the character and setting of Spofforth”.

A planning inspector sided in favour with Yorkshire Housing and gave the go-ahead for the scheme in October 2021.

Now the council has confirmed that the developer has submitted a request for costs totalling £23,278 for the appeal.

Read more:

• Spofforth: a broken planning system that’s failed a village

• Call for government to reject controversial Spofforth homes plan

• Government approves controversial 72 homes in Spofforth

The developer sought costs from the council after it said the authority had “unreasonably delayed” the housing development.

Council officials asked the inspector dismiss the request. But the government awarded costs against the authority.

Local concern

The decision to approve the scheme followed concerns from local residents over the design and that the housing would not be in keeping with the village.

More than 300 local people and organisations, including Natural England and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, raised concerns about the development.

Shirley Fawcett, chairman of Spofforth with Stockeld Parish Council, wrote to Prime Minister Boris Johnson appealing for help in challenging the development.

However, Siobhan Watson, the government planning inspector, said she found the council’s reasons for refusal “vague and illogical”.

She said:

“Given the site’s planning history, I find the council’s refusal of the application and subsequent defence of the case to be both vague and illogical. 

“I consider that the development should have been clearly permitted and that the council produced vague and generalised assertions about the proposal’s impact which are unsupported by objective analysis.”

The old police station in Pateley Bridge has been sold for £297,000.

Former North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Julia Mulligan, announced that the station on King Street would be sold in January 2021.

Officers based at the site have since been moved across the road where they share space with Harrogate Borough Council.

According to the police, the move is expected to save £19,000 per year.

Read more:

• Local firm averts traffic danger at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show
• Man arrested after early morning Knaresborough crash

The commissioner’s office confirmed that the police station was sold last month for £297,000. It had initially been estimated to sell for £142,000.

Details of the buyer have yet to be made public.

The commissioner’s office said the funds will help to pay for policing in North Yorkshire.

A decision notice to sell the building said previously:

“Pateley Bridge station is a large building and is relatively expensive to run.

“Whilst local officers and staff are based there, the building is far too large for the size of team based there.  

“New mobile working technology means officers are spending less time in the station and more time in the community, which has also affected how often the current station is occupied. This will decrease further as new applications are added to the technology.”

A legal threat against Harrogate’s £11.2 million Gateway project has raised new questions over whether the controversial scheme can meet its completion deadline.

There is an agreement between the Department for Transport and West Yorkshire Combined Authority that the project to revamp key parts of the town centre should be completed by March 2024.

But revelations that one of Harrogate’s leading property companies has submitted a proposed claim for a judicial review has cast uncertainty over the already-delayed project which is being led by North Yorkshire County Council.

Letters obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request reveal claims from Hornbeam Park Developments that a council-run consultation on the proposals was “unlawful”.

The council – which recently announced plans for another consultation this summer – responded in a letter to say it “does not accept” the claims.

A Department for Transport spokesman said it expects all projects funded through its Transforming Cities Fund to be delivered on time and that where there are delays, deadlines will be “reassessed by a panel on a case-by-case basis”.

Read more:

• Another consultation to take place on £10.9m Harrogate Station Gateway
• Harrogate property developer considers Station Gateway legal action
• New Harrogate Station Gateway details revealed today

But when asked what a possible judicial review could mean for the Harrogate Gateway project, the spokesman added “we can’t comment on the specific funding arrangement” of the scheme “as this information is commercially sensitive”.

Separately, the council also said in response to the FOI that it “does not hold this information”.

Hornbeam Park Developments made the legal threat in February when it challenged the council’s decision to submit a final business case for the project despite survey results showing more respondents felt ‘negative’ (56%) about the scheme than those that felt ‘positive’ (39%).

The council then announced plans for another consultation and said it hoped construction works would start this winter, with completion in winter 2023/24.

The works will involve cycling and walking upgrades for Station Square and the One Arch underpass, as well the Odeon cinema roundabout and several other streets in the area.

But the most controversial plans include a reduction of Station Parade to one-lane traffic and a part-time pedestrianisation of James Street.

There are similar Gateway projects for Selby and Skipton, yet Karl Battersby, director of business and environmental services at the council, said the Harrogate scheme “has generated the most interest by far”.

He said: 

“It is positive that local residents and businesses feel so strongly about changes to their town and it is important to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to share their views on designs for the ambitious scheme.

“The project has developed since the previous consultation, and we know that the impact of the changes on traffic levels and flows were key issues raised in the previous consultation and we will provide further information on those aspects.

“We will also be consulting on the draft Traffic Regulation Orders, which would be required to implement the scheme.

“We will continue to work to the current timescales as set by the Department for Transport and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.”

Mr Battersby also said details of the next consultation will be announced “shortly”.