Derelict Ripon building to be demolished for townhouses

A derelict building in Ripon city centre is set to be demolished to make way for townhouses.

Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans to flatten the building in Moss Arcade, off the city’s Market Square.

Proposals submitted by Greystone Developments would see the building replaced with three two-bedroom townhouses.

James Robinson, planning consultant who submitted the plan on behalf of the developer, said in documents to council:

“This is an important part of Ripon steeped with heritage.

“However the building on the site is very much a left-over redundant building, which blights the surrounding area.”

He added:

“The proposed redevelopment of the site on Moss Arcade will be of great benefit to the surrounding area.

“This will resolve this existing left over building, which detracts from the conservation area, by providing three two-bed townhouses, which are designed to be fit for modern living.”

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Government rejects plans to build 170 homes in Knaresborough

The government has rejected plans to build 170 homes in Knaresborough.

Landowner Geoffrey Holland’s application would have seen homes built on Water Lane in the town.

The decision is the latest refusal for the developer, who has twice sought permission to build on the site.

Harrogate Borough Council rejected the latest proposal in August 2021 after planning officers said the scheme had a number of “fundamental” issues.

However, the developer took the council to appeal over its decision and said there were no “significant impacts” that would be caused by the development.

‘Unsatisfactory scheme’

Kate Broadbank, the council’s planning officer, told a planning committee meeting in August 2021 that the scheme had a number of issues to resolve.

She said:

“One of the site allocation requirements is the provision of a circular recreation route – and this has been provided around the edge of the site.

“However, it is considered to be unsatisfactory, as it is a narrow path between the site boundary and side elevations of dwellings, meaning it is not very well overlooked and would not provide a safe, attractive route.

“The same situation occurred around the open space and children’s play area where houses backed onto this.

“The applicant has tried to overcome this by turning some houses around to face onto the path and play area, however, this has led to an issue with rear gardens now backing onto the streets.

“On the whole, the scheme is considered to lack character or a sense of place.”

Cunnane Town Planning, which lodged the appeal on behalf of Mr Holland, said there were “no significant or demonstrable adverse impacts that would arise as a consequence of the development”.

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However, Chris Baxter, planning inspector, dismissed the developer’s appeal on the grounds that the plan was outside the development boundary and would still have “significant harm” on surrounding areas.

Mr Baxter acknowledged that the scheme had “adequate affordable housing” and would not have an impact on highways safety, but added that it still had issues.

He said in a decision notice published this week:

“The proposal would not have a detrimental effect on highway safety and adequate affordable housing would be provided within the scheme. 

“However, these matters and the benefits described above would not outweigh the significant harm I have identified with regards to the effect on the surrounding area and future users.”

Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic roundup

Traffic is moving normally in the Harrogate district this morning.

However, some roadworks are due to start in areas of the district next week which may cause delays.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

Drivers should be aware of the usual rush hour traffic on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Knaresborough Road and Skipton Road.

According to North Yorkshire County Council’s roadworks map, temporary lights will be in place on the A661 Harrogate Road near to Plumpton Rocks on Monday.

The lights will be in place until Tuesday as the county council repairs potholes on the road.

Meanwhile, another set of temporary lights are expected to be implemented in Spofforth on Tuesday on the A661 junction with Deighton Road.

Yorkshire Water is due to carry out works at the junction.

Temporary lights remain on Ripon’s Clotherholme Road as Northern Gas Networks carries out replacement work to gas pipes in the area.

The lights will remain in place until September 5..

Trains and buses

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

Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting cancellations on the 1, 1A, 1C, 1D, 7 and 36 this morning.

You can find out more on the disruption to services here.

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Junior soldiers graduate at Harrogate’s Army Foundation College

Junior soldiers from Harrogate’s Army Foundation College took part in a passing out parade yesterday.

More than 500 graduates, who are all under the age of 18 when they joined, marked the end of their initial training by marching off the parade square.

The event was watched by a crowd of around 4,000 family members and friends.

Lieutenant Colonel Simon Farebrother MC, Commanding Officer of the AFC, said: 

“These soldiers represent the very best of our nation’s young people. They are now ready for their second phase of training which will hone the skills learnt here and develop those required for their chosen trade.

“They follow in the footsteps of those who have graduated from the Army Foundation College before them and gone onto great careers in the British Army.”

The mascot of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards with his handler, walk down Sir Tom Moore Walk at the Army Foundation College Harrogate as the graduation parade begins.

The mascot of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards with his handler, walk down Sir Tom Moore Walk at the Army Foundation College Harrogate as the graduation parade begins.

Members of the public take photos of their loved ones during the graduation parade at Army Foundation College Harrogate.

The parade not only marked the end of the graduates training, but also the 75th anniversary of Harrogate’s Uniacke Barracks.

The Senior Inspecting Officer, General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC Gen, Chief of the General Staff, said:

“There are some moments in a person’s life that they remember forever. These are the moments that matter. This is one of those moments.

“This is an army that is currently mobilising to prevent the spread of war in Europe. It is a task inherently linked to our core purpose – to protect the nation by being ready to fight and win wars.”

The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders, KCB, CBE, DSO, ADC Gen makes a speech during the graduation parade at Army Foundation College Harrogate.

The Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Patrick Sanders, gives a speech.

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Knaresborough pub co-founder leaves after two years

The co-founder and chef of popular Knaresborough pub The Bear at Carriages has left the business after two years.

Sam Pullan acquired the pub, then called the Carriages, on the town’s High Street in 2020 with business partner Josh Dixon.

Following a £100,000 investment in renovating the pub, it reopened amid multiple covid lockdowns during the summer of the same year.

After helping to open the pub back up and develop a seasonal menu with his team, Mr Pullan has now confirmed he will be leaving the business.

He said:

“After two years of success in Knaresborough, it’s time for me to seek out new and exciting opportunities elsewhere in the region whether that’s working with some of the finest chef’s that Yorkshire has to offer or staging my own public chef demos at food festivals to inspire others.

“Being creative is the foundation of what drives me to be a better restaurateur and chef and having created something really special with the Bear at Carriages,

“I now want to move in a totally new direction and start afresh with something equally unique and different that further enhances Yorkshire’s hospitality reputation and provides a new challenge for me personally. The hunt for what the future holds is already on so watch this space.

“I wish John and the remaining team all the best for the future.”

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Harrogate Neighbours set to relocate residents to Boroughbridge

Harrogate Neighbours is set to relocate some of its residents to a new home in Boroughbridge.

The not-for-profit organisation, which provides residential and community care, has acquired a new site formerly known as Springfield Garth in Boroughbridge from North Yorkshire County Council.

The site is undergoing refurbishment and will see residents from 28-bedroom Heath Lodge on Pannal Ash Road, Harrogate, moved to the new facility.

Sue Cawthray, chief executive of Harrogate Neighbours, said: 

“We have been working very closely with North Yorkshire County Council and the local authorities to identify a suitable site that will allow us to offer and deliver excellent quality care to residents and clients now and in the future.

“The site in Boroughbridge will enable us to grow and develop our services into the community, as well as providing job opportunities within the care sector. We are delighted to be moving to the area and we look forward to being part of a supportive and caring community.

“Heath Lodge residents and their relatives have been updated on the relocation and have all been very supportive on the move. We look forward to welcoming them and new residents to the newly named ‘Heath Lodge Community Haven’ in the next few months.”

Harrogate Neighbours said the new building has larger communal areas, wider corridors and improved facilities.

Heath Lodge Community Haven is due to open November 2022.

Cllr Michael Harrison, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for Health and Adult Services, added: 

“Harrogate Neighbours provides much needed services in this part of North Yorkshire and we have been very pleased to help make sure this very positive development could happen.

“It not only brings a building back into use but offers potential for growth and an opportunity to be more sustainable, whilst caring for older people in the local area, which is of paramount importance for our ageing population.”

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Harrogate district house prices fall £6,000 on last month

Average house prices in the Harrogate district fell by £6,000 in a month, according to latest government figures.

Data released by the Land Registry shows that from April to May the average price of a property dropped from £332,641 to £326,123.

However, the figures also reveal that prices have increased year on year.

Since May 2021, the average cost of a property has increased by 7.4%. Buyers could purchase a house for £303,528 last year.

By comparison, a property in Leeds could be bought for £229,139 in May this year.

The number is also a drop on last month by £604.

Average house price increased by 13%

The average cost of a home in the Harrogate district is slightly above that for the country.

Across England, latest figures show that the average price is £303,278.

This is up 13.1% on May last year.

In a statement, the Land Registry said:

“England house prices grew by 13.1% in the year to May 2022, up from 11.6% in April 2022. England house prices were growing faster than the UK annual rate of 12.8% in the year to May 2022.

“The South West was the fastest growing region with annual growth of 16.9% in the year to May 2022. The lowest annual growth was in London, where prices increased by 8.2% over the year to May 2022.”

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Firefighters tackle field fire in Aldborough

Fire crews were called to a bale and field on fire in Aldborough yesterday.

Pictures released by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue show crews tackling the blaze at 11.49am.

Fire crews from Knaresborough, Ripon, Wetherby and the water bowser from Tadcaster stopped the spread of the fire and extinguished the baler.

The fire spread from the baler to the stubble field measuring approximately 10 acres, according to the service’s fire log.

Firefighters have urged people to be vigilant during the soaring temperatures this week to prevent the spread of fires near farmland.

Firefighters tackling the field fire in Aldborough. Picture: Knaresborough Fire Station.

Firefighters tackling the field fire in Aldborough. Picture: Knaresborough Fire Station.

This includes discarding of cigarettes properly, not using disposable barbecues near crops, checking straw and hay bales which can overheat and keeping farm machinery in good working order. 

Last month, Harrogate firefighters tackled five field fires during the hottest day of the year.

Crews were called to battle blazes at Forest Lane in Harrogate and Marton-cum-Grafton among others.

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Traffic and Travel Alert: Harrogate district traffic update

Drivers should be aware of a graduation ceremony at Harrogate’s Army Foundation College which may cause delays.

Meanwhile, some bus cancellations have been reported this morning.

Here is your Stray Ferret traffic update.

Roads

As previously reported, a graduation ceremony is taking place at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate this morning.

The event may cause delays for drivers around the Penny Pot Lane area.

Temporary lights remain in place on the A661 Park Road in Spofforth as Northern Powergrid carries out repair work. Drivers should expect delays during rush hour.

The lights are due to remain in place until September 2.

Meanwhile, a road closure is in place on the B6451 at Dacre Banks. Yorkshire Water is carrying out repair works.

Temporary lights remain on Ripon’s Clotherholme Road as Northern Gas Networks carries out replacement work to gas pipes in the area.

The lights will remain in place for seven weeks.

Trains and buses

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

Meanwhile, the Harrogate Bus Company is reporting cancellations on the 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 7 and 36 this morning.

The road closure at Dacre Banks also means the 24 service will take a diversion and miss stops in the area, including Fountains Bent, Ross Bridge, Holme Farm and Darley Moke Hill.

You can find out more on the disruption to services here.

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Business Breakfast: Ripon company director shortlisted for two industry awards

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Econ Engineering’s finance director has been shortlisted in two categories at this year’s Northern Finance Director Awards.

Beverley Shepherd is nominated for Northern Finance Director of the Year – Leadership, and Best Northern Finance Director of a Limited Company £25m – £100m, a title she won four years ago.

Ms Shepherd began her career at Ripon-based Econ Engineering in 2014 as its Company Accountant before being promoted to Finance Director three years later.

She said: 

“It is an honour to be shortlisted for these awards. 

“The interview panel was easy to talk to and it was a good chance as a candidate to reflect on the work I’ve achieved over the last year. Congratulations to all the other finalists and I am looking forward to the final in September.”

Econ Engineering’s Executive Director Jonathan Lupton said: 

“Bev is a highly-valued and respected member of our senior leadership team.

“Being shortlisted for two Northern Finance Director of the Year awards is a testament to the outstanding contribution she makes to our business.”

The Northern Finance Director Awards recognise and celebrate the exceptional talent of finance directors and their teams across the North of England.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in September.

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