New vets set to open in Pannal on Monday

A new vets looks set to open in Pannal next week.

Claro Hill Vets, which is based on Thirkill Park off Thirkill Drive, is due to open on Monday (January 8).

The new practice will be open Monday to Friday, 8am until 6.30pm, and Saturdays 8.30am until 12.30pm.

The vets will offer such services as preventative healthcare, medicine and vaccinations.

Laura Keyser, who has been a qualified vet for 15 years, is behind the new business which she says will be a “perfect location” for pet owners in Harrogate, Wetherby and north Leeds.

She told the Stray Ferret in May last year:

“I decided to open the business as I wanted to offer a real high standard of care and service.

“We are independent, so have none of the constraints of being corporate.”

The move to open the business comes as North Yorkshire Council approved the proposal in May 2023.

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Weetons owner applies to change Crimple garden centre signage

The owner of Harrogate firm Weetons has applied to replace signage at Crimple in Pannal.

The Stray Ferret reported in December that the owner of Weetons had bought the garden centre, food hall and gift shop on Leeds Road.

It’s not known how much the TGH Property Group, which is owned by Tim Whitworth, has paid to acquire Crimple.

TGH, which is based at Bramham, near Wetherby, also owns Weetons, whose flagship Harrogate food hall on West Park opened 20 years ago.

An example of the signage submitted to North Yorkshire Council.

An example of the signage submitted to North Yorkshire Council.

Now, TIM Group Holdings, of which Mr Whitworth is a managing partner, has applied to North Yorkshire Council to replace the signage on the site.

The plan includes various signage to the front of the main building and an additional two totem signs behind the entrance walls showing Weetons branding.

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the signage plans at a later date.

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Free events revealed for Harrogate’s first self care week

Details have been revealed for the first Harrogate self care week this month.

The free events, which will be held from January 22 to 27, include activities ranging from yoga and acupuncture to sound baths and making face masks.

There will be a mixture of workshops and classes, along with a themed market to help visitors work on their ‘body, soul and mind’, according to organisers.

Some of the sessions will be held in a pop-up self care unit on the first floor of the Victoria Shopping Centre. However, others will be held in different venues across the town centre.

Harrogate Business Improvement District announced the initiative last month.

The Turkish Baths will host the launch event on January 22, with a session in the facilities from 6.30pm until 9pm. This is already fully booked.

Also on the Monday, an hour-long acupressure and acupuncture talk and demonstration with Patti Hemmings will be held in the shopping centre unit from 12.30pm, as well as a mosaic making session at Artizan from 5-7pm.

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Kicking things off on the Tuesday, a slow yoga flow for beginners with Michelle Foxall will be held in the shopping centre at 5-6pm. Then, Chantelle Coles will host an intriguing sound bath session, a meditative experience involving bathing in sound waves, in the vacant space between 6-7pm.

Mat pilates with Emma Ryder is the opening event on the Wednesday at 12.30pm. 

Then, staff members at Lush will host a face mask making session in their Cambridge Street store from 5pm. Anyone looking to learn more about Thai Chi can join a beginner class with Alison Newband from 6-7pm. Meanwhile, Ebru Evrim is putting together a yoga and reformer Pilates session at their studio on James Street from 6pm to round off Wednesday’s events.

To open Thursday, a two-hour interactive workshop on doshas will be held from 5-7pm with Green Ayurveda Spa. This will be followed by a circuit session with F45 at its studio in Albert Street from 6.15pm, lasting for around 45 minutes.

On Friday from 12.30pm, Tomm Melody will teach visitors more about ageing and strength.

BID manager Matthew Chapman said:

“Since we launched the Harrogate Self Care Week in mid-December, we’ve had so much interest and positive responses.

“A huge thanks to the many BID members and local providers who are supporting this campaign, which we hope will drive footfall and spend into the town centre in what can often be a quieter month.”

For more information on self-care week and to book places, visit the Harrogate BID website here.

Harrogate hospital cancelled 166 appointments due to December junior doctors’ strike

Harrogate District Hospital was forced to cancel 166 appointments as a result of a junior doctor’s strike before Christmas.

Members of the British Medical Association and the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association walked out from December 20.

BMA members demonstrated until December 23, while HSCA members staged action until December 22.

Both unions announced the walk outs amid a dispute over pay with government.

As a result, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust was forced to cancel both outpatient and elective appointments.

A spokesperson for the trust said in total 168 appointments were cancelled between December 20 and December 22 due to the industrial action.

They added:

“We have re-arranged postponed appointments as a priority so that patients can be seen at the earliest available date – many will be within a week or two, whilst others may be a little longer.”

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Meanwhile, the trust confirmed that its current cost estimate for staff to cover the walk outs is £153,000.

The hospital has also been hit by further industrial action in the new year.

Junior doctors who are members of the BMA are currently on strike until Tuesday (January 9).

The union staged the walk out on Wednesday (January 3) in what is set to be the longest strike action in NHS history.

Dr Robert Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, co-chairs of the BMA junior doctors committee, said ahead of the demonstration:

“This strike marks another unhappy record for the NHS – the longest single walkout in its history. But as we have said all along, there is no need for any records to fall: we can call off this strike now if we get an offer from Government that we can put to members.

“Doctors want 2024 to be the start of a renewed workforce which can finally provide high quality care for patients again – it is for the Government to put forward a credible offer and facilitate that journey.”

Government rejects 5G mast plan in Harrogate

The government has rejected a bid to install a new 5G mast in Harrogate.

CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd, which operates Three Mobile, proposed installing the mast on Park Parade.

It submitted the plan to the former Harrogate Borough Council in November 2022.

The developer said the proposal would help to “improved network coverage and capacity” in the area.

However, the council rejected the plan on the grounds it would be detrimental to the visual amenity of the site.

The telecommunications company took the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate and challenged the refusal.

However, in a decision notice, Mr N Teasdale, a planning inspector, rejected the appeal.

He said the proposal on balance would fail to enhance the character of the area and that the company had not demonstrated that the site was the only viable option for the mast.

He said:

“On the basis of the evidence in front of me and my own observations on site, I have found that the proposed development would fail to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the conservation area.

“It has not been demonstrated that the appeal site represents the only viable option.

“Therefore, notwithstanding the need to upgrade the network and assist the government’s digital connectivity vision along with the associated benefits, the harm that would arise from the siting and appearance of the development would not be outweighed by the overall need in this location.”

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The decision is the latest refusal for a 5G mast installation in Harrogate.

In September 2023, a government planning inspector rejected a bid to erect a 20-metre high 5G mast overlooking the Stray.

The proposal was also submitted by CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd.

The inspector acknowledged the mast would boost poor 5G coverage in Harrogate but ruled it would also be “a conspicuous and intrusive feature in the surrounding area”.

Grantley Hall near Ripon wins helipad appeal

Grantley Hall has won an appeal against a council order preventing it from using a helipad after an alleged planning breach.

The former Harrogate Borough Council issued an enforcement notice in September 2022 against the hotel for using the helipad for take off and landings without planning permission.

However, the luxury hotel, which is located five miles west of Ripon, challenged the order and appealed to the government’s Planning Inspectorate.

In documents submitted to a planning inspector, the hotel argued that there was “clear evidence for the demand for this facility”.

But, the council argued that the helipad location caused damage to the area and the significance of a heritage asset in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Now, a planning inspector has sided with the hotel over the matter and quashed the enforcement order.

Picture of the helipad in the Grantley Hall grounds, as submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.

Picture of the helipad in the Grantley Hall grounds, as submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.

B S Rogers, the inspector who oversaw the appeal, said in a report that he recognised that the hotel had already offered conditions for the proposal in a report know as the “Grantley Hall Hotel Helipad Aviation Summary Report”.

These included restricting flights to 72 visits a year, restricting arrival and departures between 9am and 7pm and that the hotel retain flight data and provide this to the council upon request.

Mr Rogers said it was common ground between the two parties that uncontrolled use of the site would “not be acceptable in this highly sensitive location”.

However, he added that compliance with the conditions would mean the helipad would not “unduly harm the historic environment, the natural environment or the living conditions of local residents”.

Mr Rogers said:

“It would provide a small but significant additional benefit to the local economy. As such, the development would not unduly conflict with the provisions of the development plan or of national policy.”

In response to the appeal outcome, Nuno César de Sá, general manager at Grantley Hall, said:

“Grantley Hall is delighted with the outcome of the appeal and the positive impact this will bring to our business.

“As the hotel enters its’ fifth year of operation and with trading going from strength to strength this decision will allow us to continue to attract key clients to the hotel who wish to arrive by helicopter.

“We will work closely with the local authority to fulfil the operational obligations set in place and remain open to constructive feedback and communication with relevant parties to ensure that minimum disruption is caused within our local environment.”

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Three planning withdrawals

The hotel withdrew plans for the helicopter landing pad for a third time in June 2021 after council officers recommended rejecting the proposal.

Nidderdale AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), Grantley and Sawley Parish Council and several residents objected to the plans, with one local describing the application as “totally unnecessary” and “self-fulfilling”.

The hotel has withdrawn three applications and had another rejected since first asking for permission to use an existing helipad in 2018.

Grantley Hall opened as a hotel after a £70 million refurbishment in 2019.

It was once used by West Riding County Council between 1947 and 1974 as an adult education residential college, as well as a training and conference centre by North Yorkshire County Council.

Business Breakfast: Knaresborough company acquires Newcastle financial firm

Excellence deserves to be recognised and celebrated. The 2024 Stray Ferret Business Awards is the event to put your business, people or great initiative in the spotlight!

Make the most of your efforts by reading our top 10 tips for writing your submission for success.

Entries close on January 19, 2024.

A Knaresborough company has completed the acquisition of a Newcastle-based financial firm.

Prosperis, which is based at St James’ Business Park, has acquired Stephen McDine Limited, which is a financial advice business.

The move comes as the Knaresborough firm completed the acquisition of fellow finance company, RMB Financial Management Ltd, in October 2023.

Niall Gunn, chief executive officer and founder of Prosperis Ltd, said: 

“We are delighted to have been able to acquire such a high-quality business, allowing us to continue to provide clients with an excellent level of service going forward.

“As an independently owned business, this acquisition will greatly benefit all clients. We are on track to add further locations within the Northeast as we continue with our growth plans.”

Council leaders to address Harrogate business event

North Yorkshire Council bosses are set to address business leaders in the Harrogate district a year on from devolution.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of the council, and Richard Flinton, chief executive of the authority, will give a presentation at the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting on January 15.

The speeches are expected to cover how devolution has progressed in North Yorkshire since last year.

Held at Rudding Park Hotel and Spa, the event will be open to both chamber members and business owners in the district.

The evening will start at 5.30pm and people can register to attend here.

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Tory mayoral candidate pledges to pilot facial recognition cameras in Harrogate

The Conservative candidate for Mayor of York and North Yorkshire has pledged to introduce controversial facial recognition cameras to catch criminals. 

The cameras, which scan people’s faces in public and compare them with people on watch lists, has been hailed by some as a way to improve policing. But others have concerns about human rights and discrimination.

Keane Duncan said he wanted to test the technology across the county, if elected.

The mayor will take on powers from North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, which will be scrapped.

Mr Duncan said trials elsewhere in the country had found the cameras can cut the time required to identify criminals and missing people from days and months to “just minutes”.

He added that he wanted to pilot the technology in York, Harrogate and Scarborough.

Mr Duncan said:

“I want to embrace new technology to revolutionise the way in which policing is conducted in North Yorkshire.

“From apprehending dangerous criminals to locating vulnerable people, live facial recognition cameras represent an effective tool in the arsenal of our police. 

“With potential to free up valuable manpower so officers can have a greater presence on our streets, I want the cameras to be tested here in North Yorkshire.”

The cameras are used by the Metropolitan Police in London.

According to the force, the technology was used to help arrest 10 people for offences including threats to kill, recall to prison for robbery, and possession of an offensive weapon in Croydon on December 14, 2023.

The technology uses a CCTV feed from a police van linked to facial-recognition software. 

The police upload photos of wanted criminals and the software creates an alert when a biometric match is found. The match is then reviewed by a police officer to confirm its accuracy. 

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An election for the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire is expected to be held in May this year.

The Labour Party has selected York businessman David Skaith as its candidate for the role.

Pateley Bridge businessman Keith Tordoff has announced he will stand as an independent candidate for mayor.

North Yorkshire councillor, Kevin Foster, will contest the election for the Green Party.

Leeds United footballer banned from driving after speeding in Harrogate

Leeds United midfielder Brenden Aaronson has been banned from driving after speeding in Harrogate.

Aaronson, 23, of Victoria Avenue, was caught speeding at 37 miles per hour in a Mercedes-AMG on the A6040 Knaresborough Road near the Stray on March 12, 2023. The speed limit for the road is 30 mph.

He admitted the offence in September last year.

A hearing was held at Harrogate Magistrates Court this morning, but Aaronson was not present.

Magistrates ordered the United States international to pay a £666 fine, £266 surcharge and £90 in court costs.

Aaronson already had 10 points on his licence, which was endorsed with a further three points and he was disqualified from driving for six months.

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The 23-year-old is currently on loan at German side Union Berlin from Leeds United.

He joined the club on July 9, 2023, after the Whites’ relegation from the Premier League.

Aaronson made 36 appearances for Leeds last season and scored one goal.

He joined United from Red bull Salzburg in May 2022 for a reported £25 million fee.

Plans for 58 retirement homes at Kirk Hammerton set for refusal

Council officers have recommended that plans to build 58 retirement homes in Kirk Hammerton are refused.

SageHaus Living, which is based in the Isle of Man, tabled the plan to North Yorkshire Council for land off Station Road in the village.

The company previously planned to build 61 homes on the site, but reduced this to 58 after feedback from the authority.

SageHause Living, which acquired the site known as Carlton Fields in 2021, said in documents submitted to the council that scheme would help bring more retirement accommodation to the district, while also being environmentally friendly.

It added that a community hub would also be built on the site.

Under its original proposal, the company said:

“The revised scheme which is the subject of this application proposes the construction of 61 permanent extra care residential units rather than lodge style modular units.

“However SageHaus Livings objective is still on building in the most sustainable manner so the units will still be delivered by MMC.”

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However, council officers have recommended that councillors reject the proposal at a meeting of Selby and Ainsty constituency planning committee next week.

In a report due before the committee, planning officer Kate Broadbank said the scheme falls outside the development limits for the village.

She added the scheme did not meet planning policies under the Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which sets out where development can take place, and was an “unacceptable and unsustainable site for older persons accommodation”.

Councillors will make a decision on the plan at a meeting on January 10.