Urgent appeal for covid booster jab volunteer drivers

A Harrogate charity has issued an urgent appeal for volunteer drivers to transport people to covid booster vaccine appointments.

Harrogate Easier Living Project, which offers non-emergency transport for patients to hospital and GP surgeries, is expecting a surge in demand following the start of the booster vaccine programme.

Boosters are currently being administered at Knaresborough’s Chain Lane Community Centre and there are also plans to offer them at Ripon Races.

This year, the charity helped provide 300 journeys to and from the vaccination centres at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate and Ripon Races.

Frances Elliot, chief executive of HELP’s parent charity, Harrogate and District Community Action, said:

“Our small team of volunteer drivers does an amazing job but they can only take on so many journeys between them. We now urgently need more volunteer drivers to help with a wide range of journeys.

“We recognise people lead busy lives. Whether you can spare one hour a month or half a day a week, we really need you.”

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Those wishing to volunteer must have their own vehicle and will be reimbursed 45p per mile by the passenger to cover vehicle expenses.

The charity provides training and drivers can volunteer at times to suit them with no minimum commitment.

To volunteer, contact help@hadca.org.uk.

‘No irregularities’ found after Harrogate council officer ‘massaged’ key planning report

An investigation has concluded that “no irregularities” took place when a Harrogate Borough Council planning officer sent emails saying he “massaged” a key report on plans for the controversial Kirby Hill A1(M) service station.

The council launched the probe after emails revealed Barrie Gannon, a former principal landscape architect, made changes to a report in 2019 when the council went against three previous refusals of the plans to recommend approval in what campaigners described as a “complete U-turn”.

Seventeen months later, the service station was approved at a fourth appeal by the developers despite 25 years of objections.

It is not known what changes were made to the landscape report, but Gareth Owens, chairman of Kirby Hill Residents Against Motorway Services, said he believes the council’s actions were “highly suspicious”.

Mr Owens also said he has “no confidence” that the matter has been “properly investigated” and added it “leaves more questions than answers”.

He said: 

“We think the council’s U-turn on the decision, after 25 years of objections on landscape grounds, is highly suspicious.

“The landscape position remained one of refusal until shortly before the planning committee meeting. It was altered only when a different landscape officer, by his own admission, ‘massaged’ the report.

“The council has not provided any evidence that this change of heart was above-board and followed due planning process.

“The absence of such evidence suggests that it was not.”

Change of stance

The emails, which have been seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, show Mr Gannon said to a colleague: 

“I’ve massaged the landscape section 9.56 -9.69 which hopefully reads better.”

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The landscape report itself said the impact of the service station was “not substantive” in what campaigners described as the “complete U-turn” from a previous council assessment which warned the plans would cause “significant harm”.

This led to questions over why a change of stance was taken, but the council has repeatedly defended its position.

A council spokesperson said: 

“We can confirm that, following allegations that a report was ‘massaged’, an investigation was carried out.

“This investigation found no irregularities in the preparation of the officer report for the planning committee.

“As was stated at the time, officer recommendations are fair and impartial, and carefully considered against local and national planning policy, case law, consultation and anything else considered to be ‘material’ to the decision.”

Background: Villagers’ 25-year fight against the Kirby Hill service station

For over a quarter century, villagers living in Kirby Hill had been fighting – and winning – a battle against the plans from Irish-firm Applegreen.

The service station was refused four times by councillors on Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee and three times by a government inspector in 1997, 2003 and 2010.

However, their luck ran out in 2019 when a fourth government inspector gave the go-ahead.

Planning inspector David Rose said in his ruling that the proposals were “materially different” to past plans.

However, his decision was met with anger from villagers whose objections had not altered since the first application was submitted back in 1996.

Developer remains ‘fully committed’ to Kingsley Drive homes

A developer behind a controversial proposal to build 217 homes in Harrogate has said it “remains fully committed” to the site.

Persimmon Homes saw its plan for Kingsley Drive rejected by Harrogate Borough Council last month.

Residents lodged 388 objections to the scheme and offered none in favour.

The Stray Ferret asked Persimmon whether it intended to appeal the application or submit fresh proposals for Kingsley Drive.

A spokesperson said:

“We remain fully committed to the Kingsley Drive site and are still considering our options.”

Residents ‘remain vigilant’

The Kingsley ward area will eventually see more than 600 homes built, including developments at Granby Farm and 149 homes on Kingsley Road.

Persimmon’s plan to build 217 homes was rejected by councillors after authority officials said the application was “not considered acceptable”.

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The site is allocated for housing under the council’s Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines development in the district until 2035.

But although the principle of development has been established, council officers had concerns about overdevelopment and inadequate information on surface water drainage and noise.

Authority officials also said in a report that the number of homes on the site was above the 173 allocated in the local plan.

John Hansard, who lives in the area, previously told the Stray Ferret that residents were aware that the plan could come back following last month’s rejection.

He said:

“It was a good result and I am pleased about that. It does give us a bit of breathing space.

“My only concern is that they [the developer] will appeal. I think that we need to look into that.

“I think we need to remain vigilant.”

Minimum gritting will not affect service, say council bosses

A reduction in minimum salt spreading will not affect the gritting of North Yorkshire’s roads, county council bosses have said.

A report before the North Yorkshire County Council proposes lowering the minimum salting spread rate to 8g per square metre, which the authority says will save a further £75,000 during a “normal season”.

The council recently purchased 18 new gritters for £2.2 million to help spread salt more accurately and reduce the average age of its fleet.

The Stray Ferret asked the county council if lowering the minimum salt spread would mean that some of the new gritters would not be used this winter.

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Barrie Mason, assistant director of highways and transportation at the authority, said the proposal would not affect the “number of gritter runs”.

He said:

“The continual investment in our winter fleet ensures that we have vehicles that are able to spread salt at the appropriate spread rate in line with our winter service policy and industry best practice.

“The number of gritter runs is unaffected by the change in salt spread rate which aims to achieve more efficient use of salt, and routes will continue to be treated in line with our policy and prevailing weather conditions.”

The proposal to reduce the minimum salt spread proved controversial on social media, with some raising concern over the value to taxpayers.

Meanwhile, Cllr Stuart Parsons, leader of the authority’s Independent group, said residents “paid through the nose for the county council’s services”, so they should be able to expect some returns.

True grit – facts about North Yorkshire gritters

Harrogate district covid rate hits new record high

The Harrogate district’s seven-day covid rate has reached its highest level since the start of the covid pandemic.

Latest figures show the rate has increased to 545 cases per 100,000 people, surpassing the previous high of 534, which occurred in July.

The national average is 332.

Another 118 infections were reported in the district today by Public Health England.

However, hospitalisations remain much lower than previous waves with 10 covid-positive patients receiving treatment in Harrogate District Hospital as of last Wednesday

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No further deaths from patients who tested positive for coronavirus have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital.

Elsewhere, 128,131 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 120,309 have had a second dose.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service has ‘sufficient fuel’

Yorkshire Ambulance Service has assured patients it has enough fuel for ambulances despite the ongoing supply problems.

Petrol stations across the Harrogate district have seen high demand since the end of last week.

Although some drivers have struggled to get fuel, officials at the ambulance service have assured it has “sufficient stocks” for its vehicles.

John McSorley, strategic commander for Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said:

“Currently we have sufficient fuel stocks for our ambulance vehicles.  We have robust business continuity plans in place to ensure we are able to respond to patients needing our assistance and can invoke additional measures should they be required.

“We know that, like many others, some colleagues have found it difficult to obtain fuel for their own vehicles and we have a staff transport plan that can be activated should the situation escalate further.”

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Ministers have said there is no shortage of fuel across the country and urged motorists not to panic buy.

Army tanker drivers are on standby to be deployed to help with supply if necessary.

Grant Shapps, transport secretary, said in a tweet last night that “if everyone buys fuel as normal petrol stations will revert to normal service”.

To ease fuel flow we’ve:
✅ brought in army to help HGV testing
✅ added HGV drivers to Shortage Occupation
✅ created new apprenticeship scheme
✅ launched Skills Bootcamp
✅ expanded DVSA testing +50%
✅ changed law for faster HGV testing
➕ 12 other measures [1/2]

— Rt Hon Grant Shapps (@grantshapps) September 27, 2021

The Stray Ferret has set up a live blog to keep you up to date with the situation at fuel stations across the district. You can read live coverage here.

Harrogate MP criticises Dunlopillo housing plan

The MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough has weighed in on a plan to demolish the former Dunlopillo offices in Pannal to make way for apartments.

Otley-based developer Quattro Property Group has submitted the plans, which would see the 1961 office block replaced by 48 one-and two-bedroom apartments.

However, Andrew Jones has criticised the plan and said should not have been lodged under the permitted development rights, which the application has been made under.

The proposal has also proved controversial among some residents, one describing the plan as “awful”.

Mr Jones has written Harrogate Borough Council to call for a special planning committee to scrutinise the proposal.

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He has also written to communities secretary, Michael Gove, to ask for him to intervene “should the council’s local planning powers not be sufficient to enable full scrutiny of the application”.

Mr Jones said on his community news website:

“Permitted development rights are to enable positive development and apply in specific circumstances to achieve a specific goal.  I do not believe that these rights were introduced for the situation in respect of this development in a semi-rural location.

“Such a significant proposal should go through the normal planning process, be thoroughly appraised by council officers and scrutinised by the councillors at a committee meeting where the public can also have their say.”

The proposal would be split into two blocks, one with four storeys and another with six.

There would also be one car parking space per apartment plus additional spaces for visitors at the back of the building.

Planning consultants Johnson Mowat has submitted planning documents to Harrogate Borough Council on behalf of the developer that says the scheme would be an improvement on the current empty office block, which has been deteriorating for several years.

 It says:

“This site has been a blot on the landscape for far too long and we are looking forward to delivering a high quality building.”

The Stray Ferret approached Johnson Mowat for comment, but did not receive a response.

What is permitted development?

Permitted development means that a developer can apply for certain types of applications to go ahead without the need for planning permission.

The last major change to permitted development rights was in 2015, under the Conservative-Liberal Democrat government. However, many changes have since been made since 2020 in response to covid.

Developers can also apply for “prior approval” to carry out a development under permitted development, such as converting retail or office space into homes.

In this case, the developer will ask whether prior permission is required before proceeding with a proposal.

It can take between 28 and 56 days for a council to grant approval to an application.

Harrogate district covid rate at highest ever

Harrogate’s coronavirus infection rate is rising sharply and has equalled record levels – but hospitalisations and deaths remain low.

The borough’s weekly rate per 100,000 people is currently at 534 – higher than any other area in North Yorkshire and equal to its previous record in July.

However, hospitalisations remain much lower than previous waves with 10 covid-positive patients receiving treatment in Harrogate District Hospital as of last Wednesday.

The hospital is also reporting fewer deaths, although there has been a slight increase in recent weeks with the latest death coming on Wednesday last week when the hospital’s toll since the pandemic began reached 188.

Elsewhere in North Yorkshire, Selby has the second highest infection rate at 470, followed by Scarborough at 440, Hambleton at 421, Craven at 373, Ryedale at 327 and Richmondshire at 289.

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The North Yorkshire average is 437 and the average figure for England is 327.

166 infections reported today

A further 166 covid cases have been reported in the Harrogate district today, according to latest Public Health England figures.

The rise in cases comes as health officials last week announced Ripon racecourse will reopen as a covid vaccination centre.

Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge also have pharmacy-run sites offering booster jabs and vaccines but the full list of sites where the jabs will be delivered in the Harrogate district has yet to be revealed.

The rollout of third doses to around 30 million people across the UK is now underway.

Those eligible for the booster jabs include over-50s, younger adults with health conditions and frontline health and care workers.

Patients will be invited on a priority basis and they have been urged not to contact the NHS, but to wait to hear from the health service.

According to latest NHS figures, a total of 128,131 people in the Harrogate district have now received their first vaccine dose and 120,309 people their second.

Figures for third doses are not yet available.

Ripon’s biggest car park set for three-week resurfacing

Ripon’s biggest car park looks set to undergo an £85,000 resurfacing.

Harrogate Borough Council has advertised a contract to carry out the work at Cathedral car park, on Victoria Grove.

The 193-bay car park sits in view of the cathedral and is used by drivers for long sand short stays.

The council said in its contract notice that the site has become worn and hazardous to members of the public.

It said:

“Over the years the current surface of the car park has become pot-holed, with large areas of loose tarmac resulting in trip hazards to members of the public, and claims for vehicle damage.”

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The contract is for a complete resurfacing of the car park, and to increase the number of parking spaces to 206, along with 10 disabled bays.

The council will also require the contractors to undertake trunking and ductwork in preparation for the installation of electric vehicle charging points.

A separate contract will be procured to install the charging points.

While it is unclear if any disruption will be caused by the works, the resurfacing contract is due to start on November 8 and last for three weeks.

Companies wishing to undertake the work have until October 20 to bid for the contract.

Tockwith bonfire and fireworks set to go-ahead

The annual Tockwith bonfire and fireworks look set to go-ahead this year.

Show organisers confirmed today that preparations were being made to hold the event on Friday, November 5.

The bonfire was cancelled last year due to the covid pandemic and doubts were raised over whether it will go ahead this year.

Tockwith and District Agricultural Show, which is organised by the same committee, was also cancelled this year due to “continuing uncertainty” over the impact of the pandemic.

However, the committee has decided to continue with preparations for fireworks night and also press ahead with plans for what will be the 75th Tockwith show in 2022.

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Michelle Lee, show president, said:

“No one can predict what will be happening next August – or indeed next month – but we feel that it’s now the right time to hopefully draw a line in the sand and move forward. 

“Staging a major event like this needs months of planning so if we don’t start now it will very quickly become too late to get it off the ground.

“Now our immediate priority is to get the bonfire and fireworks night organised so that people can see that Tockwith show is back in business, and hopefully when we light that fire on November 5 it will be a beacon of hope that we are moving into more positive times.”