Plan submitted to demolish Bilton garages for social housing

Harrogate Borough Council has lodged plans to demolish 10 garages in Bilton to build two new houses.

The garages are on Woodfield Close, near the iron bridge in the Harrogate suburb.

As part of the proposal, two one-bedroom homes would be built on the site.

A council report  in August said there were 24 garages on the site but only 12 were occupied. Of these, four were used by local residents.

The report proposed demolishing seven garages to allow for the new development but the number has now increased to 10.

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The council owns and rents out garages across the district and has increasingly looked at the pockets of land as a way to build social housing.

In planning documents, the council said the development would help to provide “much needed affordable homes”.

The move comes as the council approved plans to earmark the site for housing back in August 2021.

The authority also plans to build a two-bed property for social rented housing on grassland it maintains on the corner of Poplar Crescent and Poplar Grove

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the Woodfield Close plan at a later date.

Yorkshire Agricultural Society appoints new chief executive

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society has appointed Allister Nixon as its new chief executive.

Mr Nixon, who has been chief operating officer at Castle Howard Estate Limited for the past six years, will replace Nigel Pulling in the role.

He has also held positions at multinational companies, such as Global and Kanter Media Audiences.

Mr Pulling is retiring at the end of the month after 20 years in charge of the society, which organises the annual Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate.

Its other businesses include Fodder, Yorkshire Event Centre, Pavilions of Harrogate and the Harrogate Caravan Park and Springtime Live.

Mr Nixon, who is a chartered accountant, said:

“I am delighted to be joining this outstanding organisation which does so much invaluable work for the agricultural industry. There is a lot of good work to continue and there are many opportunities for the society to develop still further.

“I am really looking forward to working with the trustees, staff and other stakeholders in the industry to ensure that, by supporting, promoting and celebrating the industry as effectively as possible, the exceptional reputation of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society continues to grow.”

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Nigel Pulling

Rob Copley, chairman of trustees, said: 

“On behalf of all the Trustees, council members and all staff we would like to thank Nigel for his hard work, determination and expertise and we are looking forward to welcoming Allister and beginning the next phase of development under his leadership and direction.”

Government rejects plan for new townhouses in Ripon

The government has rejected plans to build new townhouses and apartments in Ripon city centre.

Spinksburn Ltd had tabled a plan in November 2019 to build four apartments and four townhouses on land off North Street in the city.

The site, which used to be retail units, was demolished to make way for Marshall Way and has remained undeveloped since.

The work include the partial removal of buttress on a Grade-II listed building to join the two buildings.

However, the developer lodged an appeal in August 2021 to the government’s Planning Inspectorate after Harrogate Borough Council had failed to make a decision on the proposal two years later.

In a letter written by the developer’s lawyer said:

“Our client has therefore instructed us to submit the appeals for non-determination because the council does not appear to have the resources to be able to determine the applications and there appears to be no end in sight.

“My client is extremely concerned that determination of the applications is being allowed to drift and there are no means by which to secure the determination of the applications besides the appeal process if the council does not have the necessary resources.”

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However, Fiona Cullen, the planning inspector who oversaw the appeal, has decided to reject the proposal.

In a decision notice, Ms Cullen said she was “unable not conclude” that the proposal “would preserve the special interest of the listed building”.

She said:

“I am mindful of the key role played by the delivery of housing in achieving sustainable development and recognise the Government’s objectives to boost the housing supply and grow the economy. I also note the framework’s support for housing and the efficient use of land.

“However, the framework is clear in stating that heritage assets are an irreplaceable resource, and should be conserved in a manner appropriate to their significance, so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life of existing and future generations.”

Ms Cullen added:

“Whilst there are considerations that weigh in favour of the proposal, in my judgement, they are not sufficient to outweigh the harm I have found.”

Otley Road cycle route progress ‘appalling’, says cycle group

Progress on a cycle route on Harrogate’s Otley Road is “appalling”, says a local cycle group.

The comments come as the next stages of Harrogate’s Otley Road cycle path are to be reviewed in line with new government guidance after complaints that parts of the completed route are “unsafe”.

It is likely to mean further delays for the troubled project, which first secured funding in 2017 and is seen as key to cutting congestion in the town.

Officials at North Yorkshire County Council this week held a walkthrough with cycling campaigners who have been left frustrated over the delays and have also raised concerns over the completed works.

John Rowe, vice chairman of Harrogate District Cycle Action, described the progress made so far as “appalling” – but said he was glad the feedback and new guidelines are now being taken into account.

He said:

“Talks have been constructive, but the challenge we have got is that the designs were done before the new national standards were introduced.

“There also wasn’t an awful lot of willingness on behalf of the council to look at best practice without those standards. They wanted to do what they felt was adequate with the experience they had.

“The results are a little disappointing, but that is not hugely unexpected.

“We are hoping the next stages can be built better and with these new quality design standards in mind.”

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The guidance published in 2020 says “cycles must be treated as vehicles and not as pedestrians” – and also gave new priorities including wider cycle lanes which are segregated from traffic.

Mr Rowe said while recognised there are space constraints on Otley Road, parts of the completed route were “badly designed”.

A particular concern is a narrowed section of cycle path at Otley Road’s junction with Harlow Moor Road which has been described as “unsafe”.

The council is currently in talks with Yorkshire Water to buy a small plot of land in order to remove a wall and widen a corner on this part of the route.

Mr Rowe said: 

“That whole corner needs taking out because there is just no space – the gap is barely wide enough for a bike to get around.

“You can just imagine kids cycling around there – plus pedestrians – at school run time. There is just no space for that to happen safely.”

Council ‘will listen to concerns’

Melisa Burnham, area highways manager at North Yorkshire County Council, has insisted the completed route is safe and that the council will listen to all current concerns and further feedback under the next stages.

She also said the new guidelines would be used as a “starting point to create a safe route” under the next stages, although she added they “cannot be fully applied” to all parts of the route.

Ms Burnham said:

“We recognise the new cycling guidance and the benefits this brings to users.

“We are always ready to take on board the experience of users which is why we walked through the route with the cycle group and designers to understand if any further improvements to phase one can be made.

“The route is safe and we will be carrying out a third safety audit in the next few weeks.

Ms Burnham also said the council is committed to widening the corner at Harlow Moor Road and that the land purchase should be concluded “within the next three to six months.”

She added: 

“We will be holding further workshops with key stakeholder groups to review designs for the second and third phases of the cycleway scheme in light of this new guidance.

“Once all phases of the scheme are finished it will help to improve safety along the entire length of the Otley Road corridor.

“The aim is to accommodate all users – pedestrians, cyclists and motorists – to aid sustainable travel, ease congestion and support the future growth of Harrogate.”

The Otley Road cycle path is part of a wider package of sustainable transport measures for the west of Harrogate which once completed will cost around £4.6 million.

The council previously said it hoped to start work on the next stage in April.

‘Limited funding’ for traffic calming on Cold Bath Road, says council

North Yorkshire County Council officials have said there is “limited funding available” to implement traffic calming measures on Harrogate’s Cold Bath Road.

A call was made to introduce speed cameras or CCTV to the road following a three-car collision in the early hours of Sunday morning.

One resident said that the road becomes a racetrack after 10.30pm and called on the authorities to do more to tackle the issue.

However, an email to the resident from the county council, seen by the Stray Ferret, says that measures for the road would be costly and there is limited funding.

Paul Ryan, project engineer at the county council, said:

“Our collision data shows that in the last three years there have been four collisions resulting in personal injury along Cold Bath Road — two slight and two serious. One slight involved a low speed shunt when in queuing traffic, the other slight involved a pedestrian stepping off a controlled crossing when green light was for vehicular traffic.

“The first serious involved a motorist pulling over towards the kerb edge to avoid oncoming traffic and has collided with a pedestrian, the second serious involved a motorists driving away from a parking space and colliding with a passing cyclist.

“It is therefore unlikely that further traffic calming measures would have reduced the likelihood of these types of collisions and personal injury.”

Mr Ryan added:

“The situation on Cold Bath Road will continue to be monitored, alongside all other roads across the county to highlight where the limited funding available for improvement schemes is targeted towards.”

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North Yorkshire Police continues to investigate the Cold Bath Road crash and has appealed for witnesses and CCTV footage.

It involved a Volkswagen Golf heading towards Otley Road which crashed into two parked cars at the junction with West Cliffe Road at 3.10am on Sunday morning, leaving one passenger unconscious. No other injuries were reported.

No arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

A police statement added:

“It is only by sheer luck that the collision didn’t result in a fatality.

“As part of the investigation we would like to appeal to local residents and businesses to check their CCTV systems and ring doorbells around the time of the collision as it may have captured the vehicle, the collision, and anyone making off from the scene shortly afterwards.

“Additionally, if anyone has any other information about the incident which may assist our enquiries please contact us quoting reference 12220038835.”

Harrogate hospital bed occupancy high as winter pressures bite

Hospital bosses in Harrogate have warned that the number of patients requiring treatment for winter infections remain high.

Dr Matt Shepherd, Deputy Chief Operating Officer and consultant in emergency medicine at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust said bed occupancy at the hospital remains high at 90%.

The hospital is currently dealing with patients suffering from winter infections, such as flu and coronavirus. Health officials in Harrogate recently urged people to dial 101 if their illness or injury was not serious.

According to the NHS England figures, the hospital is also treating 25 covid patients.

This comes as the district’s seven-day covid rate stands at 417 per 100,000 people, with a total of 880 covid cases in the last seven days.

Dr Shepherd said historically, pressures tended to ease during the spring. But this was now uncertain due to coronavirus and the lack of national restrictions.

He said:

“Historically, as we approach spring, the pressures have tended to reduce, however, as we are still dealing with the covid-19 pandemic this is not certain.

“Currently bed occupancy at our hospitals remain high at around 90 percent, a similar figure to February.”

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Dr Shepherd added that the pandemic was also having an effect on waiting lists. He said:

“The covid-19 pandemic certainly impacted on waiting lists for operations and one of our major priorities has been to cut the backlog.  

“The increased number of planned operations that are being performed has meant we have more patients occupying beds following their surgery.”

Dr Shepherd said the hospital also had 40 patients who no longer required care, but cannot be discharged because they do not have a suitable place to return to in order to recover.

Despite the continued pressures from covid, the hospital has since relaxed its visiting restrictions.

However, those visiting the hospital will still be required to wear a mask, sanitise their hands and abide by social distancing.

Dr Shepherd said:

“We are pleased to have recently been able to relax visiting restrictions, but anyone entering our hospitals will still need to wear a mask, ensure they sanitise their hands and maintain social distancing.  

“Following these protocols will help us to protect our patients, but also our staff. Reducing the risk of our staff catching covid-19 will help us to maintain appropriate staffing levels so our patients’ care is not disrupted.”

Harrogate hospital staff to join Parkrun to commemorate national lockdown anniversary

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust staff are set to join runners on the Harrogate Parkrun to commemorate the anniversary of the first national lockdown.

Staff will join volunteers on the Stray on Saturday, March 19, to help set up the course and help participants achieve their personal best.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson implemented the national lockdown on March 23, 2020, in an effort to protect the NHS from being overwhelmed by covid.

William Greenwood, HDFT adult community service manager and volunteer at Parkrun, said:

“Parkrun was founded on a principle of improving mental wellbeing, the physical side of it was almost secondary.

“It is all about starting the weekend on a positive note, meeting new people, taking part in a walk or run and finishing with a slice of cake and a coffee.

“Within the event itself there are lots of micro communities who all support each other.

“It is an event that is open to absolutely everyone. Every week you will likely see people walking or running with their dogs, pushing prams, supporting visually impaired people.

“Some will complete in the run in under 20 mins and others will finish in over an hour, but thanks to the tail walker no one ever finishes last and the volunteers stay to cheer everyone to the end.”

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The NHS and Parkrun already have close ties, many members of staff taking part weekly as volunteers or runners and some GP practices prescribing attendance to Parkrun events for its health and social benefits.

Next Saturday, the first 300 runners through the finish line will be gifted a sustainable Harrogate Hospital & Community Charity tote bag full of healthy goodies.

For more information on the Harrogate Parkrun, visit the event website.

Harrogate Co-op closed after reported break-in

The Co-op store on Harrogate’s Skipton Road is closed this morning after reports of a break-in overnight.

The Stray Ferret was alerted to the break-in at the shop, which was cordoned off by police this morning.

At the scene, the glass on the automatic door of the store was smashed in. An in-store cash machine, which was found lying on the floor inside the entrance, was also damaged.

The store normally opens at 7am, but was still closed at 8am this morning. A sign reads that the Co-op is “temporarily closed”.

The Co-op entrance, which was smashed over night.

The Co-op entrance, which was smashed overnight.

The Stray Ferret has contacted North Yorkshire Police for more information on the incident.

A police helicopter was also out in Harrogate at 3am this morning. However, it is unclear whether this is connected to the break-in.

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Four men jailed for Harrogate district burglary spree

Four men have been jailed for a spate of burglaries across the Harrogate district, which included the theft of thousands of pounds worth of cars and a motorbike.

Chaz England, Nathan Lofthouse, Bailey Townend and Ainsley West were sentenced at York Crown Court yesterday.

England, 32, of Harrogate, Lofthouse, 20, of Harrogate, Townend, 19, of Ripon and West, formerly of Harrogate, appeared via video link from custody in Hull.

They admitted to the burglaries, which took place between December 2019 and August 2021.

Prosecutor Michael Cahill told the court that the crimes were sophisticated and planned.

Mr Cahill told the court how Townend, who was charged with two counts of burglaries, three thefts of motor vehicles and possession of cannabis, had stolen two cars in Knaresborough at a value of £15,000.

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Townend, 19, stole the Skoda and Mercedes from Bransdale Grove, along with a handbag containing a £20 note.

He went onto commit a similar offence on South Park Road in Harrogate in August last year, in which he stole a “rare motorbike” worth £11,000.

Mr Cahill told the court that Lofthouse, 20, burgled a property on Bogs Lane in Harrogate on December 22, 2019.

He stole a laptop bag, which did not include a computer but had sensitive NHS information, and two coats. Lofthouse also attempted to steal a Jaguar worth more than £10,000.

The court heard how England, 22, broke into a home on Stonefall Avenue, Harrogate, on Boxing Day 2019 to steal an iPhone7 worth £200, £800 in cash, five watches, a £300 chainsaw and two handbags.

England also stole a Ford transit van, which was later found abandoned with a flat tyre by police.

Stun gun

England was also convicted of possessing a stun gun, which is a prohibited weapon, and possession of cannabis following a search of his home.

Mr Cahill told the court that on August 2, 2020, West, 20, stole the number plates from a Fiat Punto at a property in Leeds before later using them on another vehicle from Knaresborough.

He was also convicted of attempting to steal a handbag, which included a police warrant card, and wallet from a property in York.

Mitigating for Townend, Shafqat Khan told the court that he had been remanded in custody since August 2021 and had “demonstrated maturity” while in custody.

The court also heard that Lofthouse had shown maturity while on remand. Ian Hudson, defending Lofthouse, said he had gained employment and “hoped to build on that”.

Didn’t get chance to say goodbye to children

Christopher Dunn, mitigating for England, told York Crown Court that he wanted to get on the “straight and narrow”.

He said:

“It indicates a maturity that he did not have before he went on this ridiculous spree.”

Ashleigh Metcalfe, defending for West, told the court that he was the first to enter his plea which afforded him “some credit”.

She added that West had two children who he did not get the chance to say goodbye to when he was remanded in custody.

She said:

“He knows that association with other individuals is not good for him.”

The defence for all defendants suggested community orders and suspended sentences as punishment.

However, sentencing the four men, Judge Morris said:

“I regard these offences as too serious to suspend as sentences.”

Townend was sentenced to four years and three months. Lofthouse was jailed for 17 months and England for 28 months.

West was jailed for four years and seven months.

Harrogate family speak of tragedy behind new bakery

A Harrogate family have spoken of how the loss of their 12-year-old son led them to set up a bakery in his memory.

Reef Carneson died in June last year after battling cancer since he was a baby. He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at just five months old.

Although Reef’s death left his parents Lydia and Ryan — who are originally from South Africa — grieving, the family resolved to try to do something positive.

‘He was a miracle’

Reef was the first to undergo a bone marrow transplant in Pretoria, South Africa, when he was just 11 months old.

Lydia says she and her husband, Ryan, were told that Reef would have “just days to live”.

However, Reef was a fighter and pulled through.

Lydia said:

“We realised that he was a miracle.”

Complications from his condition led the couple to take him to America in 2011 for treatment for graft-versus-host disease, which meant his body was rejecting new bone marrow.

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The family settled in Los Angeles where Reef’s condition improved until he was diagnosed with skin cancer.

He seemed to be improving but his health began to deteriorate over the years.

Following the election of President Donald Trump, the family was forced to leave America when the immigration rules were changed and their work visas became void.

Lydia, who also has British citizenship, took Reef and the family to Chapel Park in Newcastle where they settled in February 2021.

Four months later, Reef passed away after his cancer had spread.

Moving to Harrogate

Lydia and her family decided to leave Newcastle in search of a fresh start.

She said:

“We could not stay in Newcastle. The memories were too much.”

Once in Harrogate, Ryan, a trained pastry chef, tried to find work but found the grief too much to handle.

Despite the heartache, the couple decided to make a fresh start in their lives.

Reef dressed in his chef outfit ready to help his dad.

Reef dressed in his chef outfit ready to help his dad.

In January this year, the pair launched IndulgenceByRyan in an effort to make something positive out of their grief.

The business was inspired by Reef, who Lydia says always wanted to be like his dad and would often help him in the kitchen.

Lydia said:

“It’s so difficult to function normally when you have such grief.

“We had always thought about the bakery because it is something that we wanted to do and he [Reef] always wanted to be like his dad.”

She added that she hopes the family’s story will help others who may be grieving the loss of a loved one.

The bakery specialises in cakes, cookies and chocolate and recently has taken on a partnership with Harrogate’s fairytale boutique, Beyond Imagination Emporium.

It does not currently have its own shop in town and is currently deliveries only. Lydia says owning an outlet in Harrogate is “the dream”.

“We would like a nice place for people to meet up and have coffee.”