Residents submit complaint over South Stainley solar farm decision

Residents in South Stainley have submitted a formal complaint to Harrogate Borough Council over a decision to approve a solar farm in the village.

The proposal, submitted by Elgin Energy EsCo Limited, was approved in August and would see a farm of the equivalent size of 150 football pitches built.

The developer said in its documents that the farm could generate 50 megawatts of electricity during peak operation and potentially power 15,000 homes in Harrogate.

However, residents in the parish have complained to the council over how the application was handled at planning committee.

Following a meeting of the South Stainley with Clayton parish, Jane Pickering, who chaired the meeting, wrote to the borough council.

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She raised concern that the committee never took a site visit, held the meeting at short notice and that the views of residents were “ignored and not taken into account”.

In the letter, Ms Pickering said:

“Solar green energy schemes require a balanced planning view. Due to the sheer scale of the proposals and the landscape and visual impacts involved, time should have been given to hear both sides of the argument, and to carefully analyse the negative environmental impacts.

“The parish is not convinced that a balanced and accurate view was presented to the committee and that a decision was made with a lack of understanding of the issues and the local impact of such a huge scheme.”

South Stainley had previously submitted objections to the council over loss of green fields and agricultural land.

A Harrogate Borough Council spokesperson said:

“The planning application (19/02259/EIAMAJ) was determined in accordance with national and local planning policy and procedure.”

Second solar farm planned

The complaint from residents comes as a second solar farm is planned for South Stainley.

Infraland Ltd and Boultbee Brooks Renewable Energy Ltd have unveiled plans for a farm on 19 hectares of land between South Stainley and Wormald Green.

The proposals would see photovoltaic panels laid out in rows running east to west on the site. The plan has yet to be submitted to Harrogate Borough Council.

Crunch meeting tonight over Harrogate’s £10.9m Station Gateway

Businesses are set to hold crunch talks with council officials over Harrogate’s £10.9 million Station Gateway project.

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce will hold the meeting at Cedar Court Hotel tonight.

Many business owners have expressed serious concern over the scheme, with some fearing the measures may affect footfall.

Council officials say the project aims to encourage more walking and cycling in the town centre.

Some fear a reduction in parking spaces, the part-pedestrianisation of James Street and potentially a year of major road works would damage businesses already struggling to recover from covid.

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Cllr Don Mackenzie, the executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, which is leading on the scheme, has agreed to take part in a question-and-answer session.

Meanwhile, Cllr Phil Ireland, cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability at Harrogate Borough Council, which also supports the gateway initiative, will also participate.

David Simister, chief executive of the chamber, said:

“Our meeting will hopefully put businesses fully in the picture about the Harrogate Station Gateway Project, and the implications for them and their customers.

“I must stress this is a business meeting and open to our members, those in the Harrogate BID area, as well as members of Independent Harrogate.”

Station Gateway: the story so far of the £10.9m scheme

The Harrogate Station Gateway project is set to reach a crucial stage as the final round of consultation draws to a close this week.

Residents have until Friday to give their say on the contentious proposals, which would change the look of the town centre.

Here is the story of the scheme so far and what happens next.

What is the Station Gateway project?

The Harrogate scheme is one of three projects worth a combined £42 million in Harrogate, Skipton and Selby paid for by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which encourages cycling and walking.

It is led by North Yorkshire County Council in partnership with Harrogate Borough Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Since it was launched back in February, the project has outlined measures such as the part-pedestrianisation of James Street, reducing Station Gateway to one-lane and improvements to One Arch.

Should it be approved, it is anticipated that work in Harrogate will begin by the middle of next year.

What does the council say?

Council officials say the purpose of the scheme is to improve walking and cycling in the town centre.

They also say that it will benefit businesses, despite concern over the project – in particular the pedestrianisation of James Street between Princes Square and Station Parade.

In October, Matthew Roberts, economy and transport officer at Harrogate Borough Council, told an online consultation event the scheme was a case of “short-term disruption for long-term gain”.

He said national case studies from similar schemes had shown they could boost trade by up to 40% by making the town centre more attractive and easier to access for non-car users.

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He also pointed to a KPMG report, which outlined the impact of covid on town centres across the country and what can be done for high streets to survive the pandemic.

The authority has used the report, as well as a 2019 congestion study in Harrogate, to back up its proposals. However, it is unclear what further impact assessments it has taken.

The council is working against the clock as the Department for Transport has set a deadline of March 2023 for the scheme to be completed.

Recently, the authority revealed that one of the reasons it chose not to fully pedestrianise James Street was because of the threat of a public inquiry if it were objected to – which could delay the project.

The option to part-pedestrianise was the least supported during its first consultation, with most people backing a full pedestrianisation.

But officials said the move struck an “appropriate balance between the wishes of respondents and risks to delivery of the scheme”.

They added in the Gateway proposal document:

“This extension in delivery timescales would likely result in funding deadlines being missed, which would prevent implementation of the full scheme, and so full pedestrianisation is not considered viable at this time.”

What do the public say?

A number of consultation events have been held in an effort to offer people a chance to have their say on the project.

In the early stages, events were only online due to the covid pandemic and the national lockdown.

Following the first consultation, council officials released a 160 page report which summarised the 1,101 responses to their proposals.

Of 935 people who replied to a consultation question about traffic on Station Parade in the survey, 49% preferred the one-lane option, 27% preferred the two-lane option and 24% preferred neither.

Of the 934 who replied to a question about pedestrianising the northern section of James Street, between Princes Street and Station Parade, 54% said they were either positive or very positive about it while 38% were negative or very negative towards it.

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The publication of the report led to an agreement to move onto the detailed design stage and another round of consultation.

This time, the meetings have been held both in public and online. Three in-person consultation events have been held in Harrogate’s Victoria Shopping Centre.

Last month, the first physical event in Harrogate saw tensions flare as residents quizzed council officials over the proposals.

A further meeting raised concern over “no-go areas” amid fears for public safety at night. However, others did feel the scheme overall “was a good idea” despite potential traffic fears.

But concerns over the project has seen some local residents take action.

Some members from the Granville Road Area Residents Association have set up the Gateway Action Group to oppose the gateway scheme.

They said the consultation has been rushed and failed to take into account their views

What do businesses say?

Many businesses have remained sceptical over the multi-million pound scheme amid fears of a drop in footfall as town centre traders recover from the covid pandemic.

Much of the concern is over the impact of reducing Station Parade to one-lane and the part-pedestrianisation of James Street.

Latest Station Gateway visuals which show Harrogate's James Street pedestrianised.

Latest Station Gateway visuals which show Harrogate’s James Street pedestrianised.

Back in August, local business organisations launched their own survey in an effort to canvass opinion on the scheme.

The survey was sent to more than 900 businesses and 180 replied.

Of those that responded, a total of 79% believed that reducing Station Parade to a single carriageway would be of no benefit to town centre businesses, and 68% felt likewise about pedestrianising James Street.

Ahead of the lifting of restrictions and public gatherings being permitted, businesses called for a public meeting with council bosses to have an “adult conversation” on the matter.

Those crunch talks will take place tonight at a Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting.

What happens next?

People in the district have until November 12 to have their say on the detailed design stage of the project.

Following the closure, final proposals for the scheme will be drawn up ahead of a decision on whether or not to implement the scheme.

If approved, it is anticipated that construction will start in spring 2022 for approximately 12 months.

For more information and to have your say, visit the West Yorkshire Combined Authority website.

Stray Views: Station Gateway ‘a waste of money’

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Traffic concern over Beech Grove

Since the closure of through traffic along Beech Grove, the daily count of (mainly) cars using Victoria Road has increased by over 300%. The Project Engineer attributes most of this increase to cars driving southbound from A61 Ripon Road to A61 Leeds Road using Victoria Road as a cut-through thus avoiding the Cheltenham /Station Parade congestion.

There is now an experimental scheme, about to be installed, which will stop movements from Victoria Road to Otley Road. Hence the extra 300% of cars using Victoria Road will be pushed back on to Cold Bath Road and Cheltenham Parade which are already the subject of complaints about increased traffic.

Richard Wright, Harrogate

Station Gateway “a waste of money”

Having attended the consultation meeting on October 29, I left feeling that the general consensus of attendees was that the project was a gross waste of public money irrespective of the source of that money.

When asked the source and integrity of the data being used to support the scheme the project team spokesperson appeared more coy mentioning ‘social media’ and local surveys without being specific, although the council leader’s strong support of cycling was mentioned by an attendee. The council leader sees a vote of just over a thousand people (mainly cyclists) as being a significant majority vote in support of the planned cycle lane’s scheme incorporated in the Gateway project. The town’s population of over seventy five thousand seemingly being overlooked i.e. Less than 2% appear to support the introduction of many of the proposed changes.

It was indicated that forty thousand survey letters would be sent out shortly but the area of coverage was unknown.

Bearing in mind that the consultation was indicated to be the final opportunity for public comments to be made this seems a little late in the planning process.

In essence as a percentage of the total populace it seemed to highlight how few people were fully aware of the proposed project details or cost of it.

Comments expressed, as a generalisation, was the council do what they want anyway, appearing to endorse seeing the town as their ‘fiefdom’ without cognisance of the ‘silent majority’ Ie. those who are just too weary of the local politics and money wasting schemes over several years to further engage.

John Marsden, Harrogate

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Spofforth homes would be a “disaster”

The site of Yorkshire Housing Ltd’s new development is on a green field site. The field is in a conservation area, and to quote the local news website, The Stray Ferret,  “more than 300 people and organisations, including Natural England, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, have raised concerns about the scheme”.

As well as being in a beautiful setting (where my son and his family live), the roads and infrastructure are not suitable for the increased amount of traffic, not to mention the small bridge that spans the Crimple Beck, which is very narrow and cannot possibly take the strain of the extra HGVs vehicles that the construction would necessitate.

There does not appear to be any proper access/exit roads to the site? The increase of 72 cars plus, would turn this into an ecological disaster and a dystopian nightmare for the residents of the village.

Denis Ffoulkes Standing, Spofforth

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Ripon hospital to undergo £161,000 refurbishment

Ripon Community Hospital is set to undergo a £161,000 refurbishment.

NHS Property Services, which owns the building, is carrying out works to the hospital site to upgrade its roofs, kitchens and heating system.

The organisation has handed a £161,231 contract to Richmond-based Acomb Construction Ltd to take on the work.

It comes as part of NHS Property Services’ five-year plan for the hospital and the improvements will form the second phase of works to the site.

It will include upgrading some of the 30-year-old flooring, roofing and a range of electrical units for the building.

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Health bosses said the work was part of an ongoing refurbishment of Ripon hospital, which will bring the site “up to standard”.

They added that the work had been designed with the input of staff and that the nurses’ station will be refurbished along with new kitchen facilities and a staff breakout area.

Martin Salmon, senior construction manager at NHS Property Services, said: 

“NHS Property Services is committed to a 5-year investment plan that aims to bring Ripon Community Hospital up to the very best of standards, providing first-rate facilities for staff and patients. 

“We are pleased that once these improvements have been made, they will help the NHS to deliver excellent patient care.”

Harrogate council to recommend creation of town council

Harrogate Borough Council looks set to recommend that a town council is set up after the authority is abolished.

Senior councillors will discuss plans to write to the unitary authority, which is set to replace the council, to ask to consider the proposal as part of a review of governance in the town.

The borough council is set to be scrapped in April 2023 to make way for a single county-wide authority as North Yorkshire’s two-tier system is abolished.

However, along with Scarborough, Harrogate has no town council and will be left with no lower-tier authority.

Following a motion passed in July, the borough council looks set to write to unitary bosses recommending that a governance review is carried out to form a town council.

The motion said:

“That this council strongly recommends to any successor unitary authority in North Yorkshire that a Community Governance Review for the town of Harrogate is initiated and the creation of a Parish for the town is considered.”

In July, Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said the creation of such an authority was “inevitable”.

He told a full council meeting that he had previously offered assurances that a Harrogate Town Council would most likely be created and that a review of services would be carried at “the correct time, in the correct way and by the correct people”.

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However, Cllr Pat Marsh, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition, proposed the motion in order to ensure that the town would not be “woefully underrepresented”.

Council officials will recommend to senior councillors on Wednesday that the council writes to the unitary authority in accordance with the agreed motion.

What would a town council do?

Town and parish councils run services such as community centres and play areas, as well as maintaining bus shelters. Councillors are elected to serve on them.

The councils can also charge a precept as part of council tax bills to fund the services provided.

Under its plans for a new county-wide council, North Yorkshire County Council promised further powers for towns and parishes in a move it describes as ‘double devolution’.

It would see the councils able to run services and take on additional responsibilities.

96 daily covid cases reported in Harrogate district

The Harrogate district has reported 96 daily covid cases according to Public Health England figures.

The district’s seven-day average now stands at 601 per 100,000 people.

Across North Yorkshire, the rate is 505 and the England average is 400.

NHS England figures on the number of patients who have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus are no longer published on a weekend.

However, the hospital was treating 25 covid patients as of Monday — a rise from 19 on last week.

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Why Harrogate district’s food banks are getting busier as winter approaches

Crowned as one of the richest places in Yorkshire, Harrogate is famous for its spa scene, beautiful gardens and busy shopping streets.

It’s not where you would expect to find families struggling to afford food, but the project manager of Harrogate District Foodbank says people are often “shocked” to see how many are in need of help.

Dawn Pearson, who started in her role during the pandemic, said the food bank has fed around 16,000 people since opening eight years ago – equivalent to around 10% of the district’s population.

And she said demand is only rising due to the climbing cost of living and people’s financial worries – with 120 struggling individuals coming forward for help in a single week in October.

This included a healthcare worker recently out of employment and Mrs Pearson said perceptions of food banks can often create false stereotypes of those who rely on them.

She said:

“These are just ordinary folk who can’t make ends meet.

“We had one family in recently – the mum was a healthcare worker and just felt weighed down and because of that she had some anxiety and mental health issues.

“She is just a normal mum and didn’t know where to turn.

“There are a lot of people out there like this at the moment and I don’t know how it is ever going to get any better.”

Busiest time of year

After a busy period earlier in the pandemic, the food bank at Mowbray Community Church is now preparing for winter which Mrs Pearson said is “always a busy time”.

Rising gas, food and fuel prices, and the end of the £20 uplift in Universal Credit are just some of the reasons why she said a growing number of people are asking for emergency food help.

Dawn Pearson, project manager at Harrogate District Foodbank.

Dawn Pearson, project manager at Harrogate District Foodbank.

Mr Pearson said:

“Now that we are leading up to Christmas, people are also struggling because they have more expensive bills and are trying to buy presents for their families.

“Winter is always a busy time, but we have got a big surplus of food so we are well prepared.

“It always astounds us how many donations come in during this period. We can’t thank people enough.”

As much as the generosity of donors always shines through, the growing need for food banks has become an uncomfortable underbelly of society which many people would rather shy away from.

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But the scale of the problem can be seen in the flesh with the recent opening of a new food bank at Life Destiny Church in Starbeck which became the third centre in the district seeded by the Trussell Trust.

It opened earlier in the pandemic when the usual voucher system of distributing food was removed in response to increased demand.

Mrs Pearson said: 

“The Starbeck site is doing well. It shouldn’t do well, but it is definitely needed there.

“Usually it is three vouchers in a six month period for people, but during the pandemic we didn’t turn anybody away. People were allowed to just come in and we helped everybody.

“Because there was more need, we were so lucky that our donations increased as well.

“We are really blessed by everyone who donates to us.”

A need for food banks “for the foreseeable future”

The Trussell Trust supports more than 1,200 centres across the UK and has a vision of a world where no food banks are needed.

It says it takes much more than food to end hunger and that a fairer and more generous welfare system would be a start of the solution.

But the answer to exactly how this could be achieved is complex and one which Mrs Pearson says lies in the hands of politicians.

She said:

“I don’t know the answer as I’m not a politician. But what I do know is that for the foreseeable future there is going to be a need for food banks.”

For information on how to get support or donate go to the Harrogate District Foodbank website.

Police investigate Wetherby Road building site theft

Police are appealing for information after a theft from a building site on Wetherby Road in Harrogate.

Officers said various plant machinery and equipment were stolen from a new build site between 7pm and 7am on Thursday, October 28, into Friday, October 29.

The force said the theft may have involved a large vehicle, which would have entered the site but still been partially parked onto Wetherby Road.

A North Yorkshire Police statement said:

“Officers are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the theft.

“If you travelled on Wetherby Road between the Hookstone traffic lights and the Empress roundabout that evening, and remember seeing anything or have dashcam footage of that route, please make contact.

“If you can help, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Beth Crawford-Evans. You can also email bethany.crawford-evans@northyorkshire.police.uk.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210231021.”

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Acting police commissioner confirmed after Philip Allott resignation

Jennifer Newberry has been appointed acting North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner after the resignation of Philip Allott.

Ms Newberry, who is a staff member in the commissioner’s office, will take temporary charge for just three weeks ahead of an election to appoint a successor.

The move follows Mr Allott’s resignation last month over comments in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard.

Councillors on the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel voted unanimously to approve Ms Newberry taking temporary charge yesterday.

Ms Newberry told the panel:

“I’m really proud to have my name put forward to be acting commissioner in this interim period.

“I am committed to working collegiately with the executive management team during this period.”

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Simon Dennis, chief executive of the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said:

“Jenni is a public servant of the highest calibre with a background in making a positive difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

“She deservedly has the support of the panel to serve as acting commissioner, a role which must be filled from within the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner. The whole team will support her to succeed, and I thank her for her dedication, commitment and integrity in putting herself forward.”

A successor to Mr Allott will be elected on November 25 when voters head to the polls.

Candidates for the election have been confirmed with the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, Women’s Equality Party and an Independent all standing. 

Voters have until November 9 to register to vote. Further details about voting are here.

The full list of candidates is: