End of an era: Demolition starts on Dunlopillo building

Demolition work has started on the Dunlopillo office block in Pannal which represents the end of the historic building.

The former factory site is being flattened to make way for 38 flats.

The move has proved controversial locally, with some residents describing it as an “eyesore” . Pannal historian Anne Smith said the village would be lumbered with a “skyscraper-type building”.

Developer Echo Green Developments was granted planning permission in September 2021 to demolish the main office block and build 48 apartments.

Read more:

However, this was later revised down to 38 following another application from the developer. The scheme would still be two-storeys bigger than the original building.

The decision was made under permitted development rights, which can be used by developers to fast track the redevelopment of disused offices.

History of the site

From 1938 to 1949 the site was occupied by the Bintex factory, which manufactured radar equipment for use during the Second World War.

It was bought by rubber manufacturer Dunlop, which changed its name to Dunlopillo and made the site its headquarters.

It is estimated around 440 people worked there in its 1970s and 80s heyday producing pillows, mattresses, beds and latex cushioning for cars.

Harrogate election hustings: Conservatives decline invitation

The Conservative party has declined a Stray Ferret’s invitation to take part in a Harrogate election hustings debate.

All four parties and the independents who are standing within divisions in Harrogate were invited to the hustings at the Wesley Centre on Tuesday, April 26, at 7pm.

The election will be the last before North Yorkshire Council replaces North Yorkshire County Council and seven district councils, including Harrogate Borough Council.

Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and the independents have all confirmed candidates for the evening.

However, the Conservative party has said it will not attend.

The candidates confirmed are:

Read more:

You can book your free ticket here.

If you would like to submit a question to the candidates, send it to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk with the subject heading ‘hustings question’.

We will also invite questions on the night from the audience.

Council approves parking plans for Claro Road depot

Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans to demolish buildings at its Claro Road depot to make way for more parking.

The depot is used to store and sort recycling, and the proposals include 47 staff parking spaces with ten electric charging points, 36 spaces for council vans and the same amount for bin lorries.

Six storage and workshop buildings will be demolished to create room for a “more efficient and safe” site layout with a new one-way system.

The plans were approved at a meeting of the council’s planning committee yesterday, when Cllr Pat Marsh questioned what will happen to the depot when the council is replaced by the new North Yorkshire Council in April 2023.

Cllr Andrew Paraskos, cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, responded to say he was “hopeful” that the site will be used in its current form in the future.

He said: 

“We will still need a waste transfer station somewhere in the Harrogate district even though we do empty residual waste at Allerton Park.

“Recycling is taken to Claro Road first and then decanted into wagons to be taken wherever it is recycled and turned back into other products.

“Hopefully the site will have a future going forward.”

Read more:

 

Election 2022: Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate candidate preview

Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret will be previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.

A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.

Today, we look at the Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate division which will see five candidates standing for election.

Sam Gibbs, Conservative

The Conservative candidate for the Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate division will be Sam Gibbs.

Mr Gibbs currently sits Harrogate Borough Council representing the Valley Gardens ward.

On his priorities for standing for North Yorkshire Council, Mr Gibbs said:

 

“My priorities are tackling anti-social behaviour, promoting town centre investment, protecting green spaces and ensuring Harrogate remains a great place to live and visit.

“As a borough councillor since 2018 I have campaigned to protect Rotary Wood, to tackle town centre anti-social behaviour and to keep our streets tidy.

“Harrogate has recovered well from the pandemic. Our retail vacancy rates are at 8.2% – well below the national average and the council distributed over £93m to local businesses during covid. The Convention Centre brings around £30m into the local economy annually and underpins thousands of jobs. We must support it.”

He added:

“Parking charges should be kept low. Most have not been increased in eight years and parking is far cheaper than York and Leeds.

“As a trustee of Harrogate and District Community Action, and through my work with the Local Fund, I have supported community groups who do fantastic work and help our most vulnerable.”

Paul Ko Ferrigno, Green Party

Paul Ko Ferrigno will be standing for the Green Party in the division.

A scientist in biology and biochemistry, Mr Ferrigno coaches grassroots football and is a governor at two local primary schools.

He also founded Wetherby-based Avacta Life Sciences. Mr Ferrigno said he felt strongly about cuts to local government funding, which he believes has “negatively impacted” education.

 

He said:

“The Green Party is the only party to put the future first. What I have learned is those small decisions can lead to massive changes. 

“I want to take this lesson and apply it to every decision made by the new council so that we can improve our local communities by thinking about the long term impact of each proposal on our children and their future.”

Lucy Gardiner, Independent

Local businesswoman Lucy Gardiner will be standing as an independent in the Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate division.

Ms Gardiner said among her priorities will be to improve infrastructure, clean up the town centre, support businesses and reduce congestion.

 

 

She said:

“I hold Harrogate very close to my heart. I am very proud that it’s my hometown, where I have my interiors business and where I bring up my family. We must protect its future. 

“For far too long the councils haven’t been transparent nor fully engaged with the residents and businesses. Rather than towing a party line, I wish to use the wealth of knowledge at our finger tips by engaging with local people, businesses and groups to protect our heritage, while encouraging positive change for the future.”

She added:

“We need proper infrastructure before any more house building is passed. Smarten up our town centre and support our businesses, to lead the way on the high street.

“Reduce congestion with well connected travel schemes for all not the few. Protect our Stray and gardens for a greener brighter future.”

Andrew Williamson, Labour

Andrew Williamson will be standing for the Labour Party in Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate.

Mr Williamson has lived in Harrogate for most of his life and works in the private sector, but has previously worked for Harrogate Borough Council.

He said he wanted to get involve with the Labour Party due to his concern over the loss of the district councils.

Mr Williamson said he felt the best way to represent those who may be affected by the abolition of the lower-tier authorities was to stand himself.

He said:

“I have been an active member of the Labour Party for about six months now. I wanted to get involved because I’m concerned about what impact the abolition of North Yorkshire’s district councils might have on local services and amenities.

“I believe strong Labour representation on the new unitary authority is the best way to protect the services our communities depend upon.”

David Johnson, Liberal Democrat

David Johnson is the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate division.

A Harrogate resident for 30 years, Mr Johnson works as a librarian and was the secretary of the local Liberal Democrat constituency party.

He said he takes an interest in library policy issues, but has also campaigned on issues such as the European Union, fracking and children’s food allergies.

 

Mr Johnson said:

“There needs to be more done to deal with congestion on our roads and improve the local bus services. There is a need for more social housing in Harrogate.”

Final backing for 72 homes in Spofforth

A plan to build 72 homes in Spofforth has been given final backing by councillors.

Yorkshire Housing Ltd plans to build the housing development on land at Massey Fold in the village.

A government planning inspector approved the homes in October 2021 following an appeal by the developer against Harrogate Borough Council’s refusal.

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

A reserved matters application, which includes access to the site, was backed by the authority’s planning committee today.

Cllr Robert Windass, who sits on the committee, said councillors had no choice but to approve the plan.

He said:

“We rejected this at committee and we felt strongly that it would not go ahead.

“The Planning Inspectorate has had a different decision. They [the developer] have now got planning permission. Our hands are tied.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Pat Marsh said:

“In some respects our hands are tied.

“This went to appeal and it was given permission. This is sort of a final legal tie up.

“I am sorry to think that this is going to go ahead. It is something that this committee strongly opposed every time it came here. That is why it went to appeal.”

Inspector backs Spofforth homes

Siobhan Watson, a government planning inspector, gave the go-ahead for the proposal in October after she said she found the design and proposed housing “to be acceptable”.

She also awarded costs against the council after finding that the authority “behaved unreasonably” and that its reasons for refusal were “vague and illogical”.

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

At the time, more than 300 local people and organisations, including Natural England and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, raised concerns about the scheme.

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

Six people injured in serious A59 crash

Six people including a six-year-old boy have been injured in a serious crash on the A59 near Hopperton.

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses to the crash which happened shortly before 8pm on Saturday, April 16.

Officers said the incident involved a blue Vauxhall Zafira and a silver Seat Leon.

The six-year-old boy, who was in the Seat, was taken to hospital with serious injuries and his condition is described as stable.

Three other occupants of the car, all from Lancashire and aged between 16 and 25 years old, were also taken to hospital with minor injuries and were later discharged.

Read more:

The occupants of the Vauxhall Zafira, a man and woman in their thirties from the York area, were treated for minor injuries in hospital and later released.

A police statement added:

“The stretch of road was closed for around six hours while officers investigated the scene and to allow the vehicles to be recovered.

“We are appealing for witnesses to the collision or anyone who recalls seeing the vehicles prior to the collision, to get in touch as soon as possible to assist the investigation.

“In particular, we are appealing for dash camera or CCTV footage of road users on the A59 between 7.40pm and 7.50pm.”

Anyone with information should call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Jack Dodsworth. Alternatively, email Jack.Dodsworth@northyorkshire.police.uk.

Election 2022: Coppice Valley and Duchy candidate preview

Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret will be previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.

A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.

Today, we look at the Coppice Valley and Duchy division which will see five candidates standing for election.

Graham Swift, Conservative

Graham Swift will be standing as the Conservative candidate for the Coppice Valley and Duchy division on North Yorkshire Council.

Mr Swift sits on Harrogate Borough Council and is the deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development on the authority.

He currently represents the Harrogate Duchy ward on the borough council, to which he was elected in 2018.

Mr Swift moved to Harrogate in 2010 after spending most of his working life living and working abroad for a large food company.

Mr Swift, who is the only candidate who lives in Coppice Valley and Duchy division, said:

“I have a proven and long track record of correspondence with and action for residents and I don’t just turn up at elections. 

“Actions include improving public space, liaising with police to reduce crime and supporting residents in getting better services. I am already an established district councillor and the future unitary council will strengthen my ability to support residents on a much wider range of issues.”

Leighton Regayre, Green Party

Leighton Regayre is set to stand for the Green Party in Coppice Valley and Duchy ward.

Mr Regayre is a climate science researcher at the University of Leeds and has lived in North Yorkshire for more than 20 years.

He said he was standing because he wants to tackle the climate emergency and cost of living crisis.

He said:

“We subsidise hugely profitable fossil fuel companies rather than taxing them fairly. Yet, a Green New Deal offers a huge economic opportunity.

“With a Green New Deal, we could put people to work insulating our nation’s homes and investing in future renewable technologies.

“The Green Party is committed to making these things happen. Yorkshire has an important role in any progressive future vision for the UK.

“I want to help Yorkshire lead the implementation of a Green New Deal that brings near-term prosperity to our region and long-term security to our nation and planet.”

Daniel Thompson, Independent

Daniel Thompson is standing as an independent candidate in the division on May 5.

Born and raised in Harrogate, Mr Thompson said he wanted to “bring new energy and ideas to the table” which would be “unconstrained by a political party”.

He said:

“During this campaign I could talk about potholes and dog poo but we have to tackle the elephant in the room, housing.

“The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have signed away our green fields to national developers with a town plan that was never fit for purpose.

“They talk of sustainable homes but where are the locally sourced building materials; solar panels, electric charging points; cycle lanes? Where are the new schools; new doctors surgeries, new dentists? Where is the funding for greater capacity in our NHS A&E?”

Mr Thompson, who also runs a business in the town, added that he would be “fighting for an immediate halt and reversal to all multi home planning approvals”.

“In truth, we need to be ambitious, proposing a new settlement near to road and rail links, surrounded by new woodland and benchmarked by the highest standard of sustainable construction.”

Patricia Foxall, Labour

The Labour Party candidate for Coppice Valley and Duchy will be Patricia Foxall.

Ms Foxall has lived in in Harrogate for more than 40 years and brought her children up in the town.

She spent most of her working life in local government, but has since retired. Ms Foxall said she would fight to reverse cuts to council grants.

Ms Foxall added that she would also make housing one of her priorities.

She said:

“The council have finally produced a housing plan.

“However, it fails to address the desperate need for affordable housing and the need for local services to keep pace with development. That said, I am in favour of all parts of the district taking a share of new housing.”

Read more:

Peter Lacey, Liberal Democrat

Peter Lacey will be standing for the Liberal Democrats in the division on May 5.

Mr Lacey runs a strategic consulting business in the health and care sector and is also the executive committee member of Knaresborough’s Chamber of Trade and a director of the Community Land Trust.

He said he believes strongly in “the need to devolve more decision making to local communities”.

Mr Lacey said:

“Building community engagement and doing more to support neighbours is important to developing stronger local communities.”

Mr Lacey, who is a local methodist, is also chair of Knaresborough Connectors, a community development organisation that has grown out of the covid response working with the county council’s Stronger Communities department.

He added:

“I will work to see a clear, locally owned and deliverable strategic plan developed for the town that embraces all elements from tourism to manufacturing, which are key to bringing high quality, well paid jobs to our area.”

Election hustings

The Stray Ferret is hosting an election hustings at the Wesley Centre on Tuesday, April 26, at the Wesley Centre in Harrogate.

The event is a chance for you to ask your local election candidates who will be standing in divisions in Harrogate the questions that matter to you.

For more information and to book your free ticket for the evening, visit our Eventbrite page.

Plan approved to convert former Harrogate restaurant into craft bar

Plans have been approved to convert a former restaurant in Harrogate into a craft pub.

Husk Beer Emporium, which has a shop on King’s Road, lodged the proposal to change the unit on Station Square into a bar.

The vacant unit was previously home to Greek restaurant Souvlaki and is opposite the Queen Victoria monument.

Now, Harrogate Borough Council has approved the plans.

Danny Duckworth and Tom Gill, who own the Husk Beer Emporium, told the Stray Ferret previously that the aim of the bar will be to showcase the best craft beers from across the UK and abroad.

Husk Beer Emporium owners Danny Duckworth and Tom Gill

Husk Beer Emporium owners Danny Duckworth and Tom Gill.

It would also offer live music, meet the brewery nights, food, outdoor seating and an ‘Aladdin’s cave’ of unique beers.

Mr Gill told the Stray Ferret in March that he hopes Husk bar can be part of a Harrogate craft beer trail, boosted by the Station Gateway scheme that would see the outside area at the end of James Street pedestrianised to allow for al-fresco summer drinking.

He said:

“More and more people are seeking places like this out.”

Mr Duckworth added:

“The craft beer scene in Harrogate is buzzing for us to open, we hope they can support us.”

Read more:

 

‘No suspicious circumstances’ surrounding Brearton house fire, say fire service

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue say there are “no suspicious circumstances” surrounding the cause of a house fire in Brearton which left one woman dead.

Lynda Greenwood, 67, was identified locally as the victim of the fire, which gutted the village home late on the evening of Saturday, April 2.

The fire service and North Yorkshire Police launched a joint investigation following the fire.

Emergency services from Harrogate, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge and Ripon were called to the scene at around 10pm but, despite their best efforts, Ms Greenwood was pronounced dead at the scene.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said that the service cannot confirm the cause of the fire until a report has been accepted by the coroner.

They said:

“While there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire, we cannot confirm the cause until the report has been accepted by the coroner – which may take several months.”

Read more:

Ms Greenwood grew up in Knaresborough, attending King James’s School while it was still a grammar school in the 1960s. She went on to complete a law degree at Kingston University and practised in Surrey, where she became partner in a law firm.

After having her daughter, she set up Greenwoods Solicitors in her home town. She specialised in commercial property, lasting powers of attorney, wills and probate.

Police confirm 39-year-old man arrested after West Park attempted robberies

Police have confirmed that a 39-year-old man has been arrested following two attempted robberies on Harrogate’s West Park.

The Stray Ferret reported yesterday that officers were called to the area near the parade of shops, close to the junction with Tower Street, where witnesses said a man had attempted to mug several people.

Officers said two woman reported a man had tried to take their mobile phones.

A local resident called police after hearing one of the victims screaming for help on West Park.

Two police cars, two vans and an ambulance were at the scene shortly after 7pm.

Read more:

Officers added there were also reports that an object had been thrown at a woman on Oxford Road.

North Yorkshire Police confirmed this afternoon that a 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of two attempted robberies, assault and a public order offence.

A police statement said:

“The man currently remains in custody and enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

“Members of the public are asked to contact officers if they have any information that could assist the investigation. Please call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote reference number 12220066183 when providing any information.”