Plan approved to demolish Harrogate social club for flats

Plans have been approved to demolish a Harrogate sports and social club to make way for 14 flats and a community facility.

The proposal by Mitre Residential LLP would see St George’s Sport and Social Club, on St George’s Road, flattened.

According to planning documents, it would be replaced by a three-storey building comprising of 14 two-bedroom flats and a replacement community facility, which would be used as a dance hall.

Harrogate Borough Council gave the go-ahead for the plan last week.

The site was previously used as a sport and social club, but more recently has been used by a dance club.

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The developer said in documents submitted to the council that the proposal would help to relieve pressure on greenfield sites for housing.

It said:

“The development will provide 14 two-bedroom flats and the new proposals will be in keeping with the style and type of housing surrounding the site. 

“The new hall will replace facilities that are no longer required but still provide a viable club for members who have shown an interest in maintaining the facilities.”

Harrogate Civic Society said in response to the application that it was pleased to see the community facility replaced as part of the plan.

It said:

“We are pleased to see a replacement facility, albeit much reduced in size. If this can provide the needs of all those that use the current building, then this is satisfactory.”

Harrogate district covid rate rises again as 278 cases reported

The Harrogate district’s covid rate has increased again after another 278 cases were reported today.

Latest government figures show that the district’s seven-day covid average has risen to 1,088 per 100,000 people — slightly up on yesterday’s figure of 1,075.

It remains above the county average, which is 982, and the England rate of 998.

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital, according to NHS England.

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The number of positive covid patients currently being treated at the hospital stands at 20.

The government will lift covid Plan B restrictions on Thursday. It means mandatory face coverings will no longer be required and vaccine passports for large scale events will be removed.

Harrogate set for ‘greatest investment in town centre in decades’

County councillors have today voted to give the green light to Harrogate’s £10.9 million Station Gateway scheme.

The project, along with similar schemes in Selby and Skipton, will now move onto the detailed design stage.

The decision comes despite widespread opposition to the initiative from businesses and residents.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access, told a meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s executive today that the schemes were the “greatest investment into three of our town centres in decades”.

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He added that the council had “a mandate” to carry out the gateway scheme after residents responded to its 2019 Harrogate Congestion Study.

Cllr Mackenzie said:

“They [residents] gave a clear message to us. In order to combat congestion they did not want new highways, they wanted better measures for walking and cycling.

“The gateway schemes do exactly that.”

Business and residents criticism

However, the scheme has long been criticised by Harrogate business groups and residents.

A joint letter signed by Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, Harrogate Business Improvement District and Independent Harrogate warned that work on the scheme would create ‘another 12 months of major disruption and misery’ for businesses already struggling to get over covid.

David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, told councillors today:

“Sadly, the views of the business community have been continually ignored. As have those of other key organisations, in particular Harrogate Civic Society and residents’ organisations who believe what is being proposed will not bring the benefits being espoused.”

In response, Cllr Mackenzie said he and the authority had spent “a great deal of time” listening to businesses in the town.

Meanwhile, Harrogate Residents Association called on senior county councillors to “look long and hard” at the objections made against the project.

The county council’s executive voted unanimously to approve the scheme.

What happens now?

The gateway project will now move onto the detailed design stage before being submitted to West Yorkshire Combined Authority as a final business case.

From there, the combined authority will draw on government funding to begin implementing the Harrogate scheme and others, including Skipton and Selby.

County council officials said in a report that they expect to submit a business case for the Harrogate project by May 2022.

A press release issued by North Yorkshire County Council after today’s meeting said work was likely to start ‘later this year’. It added:

“Although the Department for Transport set an initial completion date of March 2023, the department has advised that completion could extend into 2024.”

 

Plan to build 26 homes on former Masham livestock mart

Developers have submitted plans to build 26 homes on a former Masham livestock mart.

The site off Leyburn Road in the town operated as a livestock mart for farmers until it closed in 2006.

Now, Ripon-based Briahaze Village Homes Ltd has lodged plans to Harrogate Borough Council to build houses on the site.

In documents submitted to the council, the proposal would see 26 homes built, ranging from one-bedroom townhouses to five-bedroom detached properties.

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The developer said that the site had stood empty for some time and the plan would help to redevelop the land.

In its planning statement, the developer said:

“The site has been vacant for a lengthy period as the need for local markets has evolved and there is no opportunity for the livestock mart to reopen. 

“The property has been marketed but not had any serious interest. Instead, the applicant seeks approval for the redevelopment for residential development and make best use of this previously developed land.”

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

Three covid deaths reported at Harrogate hospital

Harrogate District Hospital has reported another three deaths from patients who tested positive for coronavirus.

NHS England figures show that one death was reported on January 20 and a further two were recorded on January 21.

It takes the covid-related death toll at the hospital from covid since March 2020 to 210.

The Harrogate district reported another 270 cases in to today’s UK Health Security Agency figures.

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Latest government figures show that the district’s seven-day covid average stands at 1,075 per 100,000 people, up marginally on yesterday’s figure of 1,073.

However, it remains above the county average, which is 981, and the England rate of 995.

The figures come as the government prepares to lift covid Plan B restrictions on Wednesday. It means mandatory face coverings will no longer be required and vaccine passports for large scale events will be removed.

Harrogate district businesses urged to apply for £6,000 covid grants

Harrogate district businesses most impacted by the Omicron variant are being urged to apply for one-off grants of up to £6,000.

Firms in the district’s key hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors – many of which have been hit by cancellations and a drop in footfall during the latest Covid wave – can apply to Harrogate Borough Council for the cash support until February 14.

The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant scheme is for eligible businesses that are registered and is based on the rateable value of premises.

Those with a rateable value of up to £15,000 will receive £2,667, while those with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000 will get £4,000.

Businesses with a rateable value above £51,000 will get the maximum amount of £6,000.

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There has also been extra funding announced through the Additional Restrictions Grant scheme to support covid-hit businesses, including those that are not eligible for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant.

This funding requires local councils to design and adopt their own scheme – and Harrogate Borough Council said applications will open by January 27 and close on February 14.

Cllr Graham Swift, deputy leader and cabinet member for resources, enterprise and economic development at the council, said: 

“To date, we’ve distributed more than £94 million to some 1,500 businesses to support them throughout the covid-19 pandemic. Often at a time when the funds provide an important relief during a very stressful period.

“I’d urge eligible businesses to apply for the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant before the closing date of February 14.

“Applications for the Additional Restrictions Grant – to support other businesses most impacted by the Omicron variant – will also open by the end of the week and again will close on February 14.

“We will be working hard to process each application as quickly as possible and will make every effort within the government guidance to support as many businesses as possible.”

For more information on how to apply go to the Harrogate Borough Council website.

Crunch vote tomorrow on £10.9m Harrogate Station Gateway

A key decision on progressing the £10.9 million Station Gateway scheme in Harrogate is set to be made tomorrow.

Senior North Yorkshire county councillors have been recommended to approve the plans and move them on to the detailed design stage at a meeting at 11am.

The move could mean that work on the project starts in the spring or summer.

The decision comes despite widespread opposition to the scheme from businesses and residents.

The results of the second phase of consultation, published last month, revealed that of 1,320 people who replied to an online survey, 55% feel negatively, 39% positively and five per cent neutral towards the scheme. One per cent said they didn’t know.

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Nevertheless the scheme is expected to proceed with only minor amendments.

However, Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access, said last week that the project represented a major investment in Harrogate town centre. Similar schemes are in the pipeline for Selby and Skipton.

He said:

“These proposals represent the biggest investment in Harrogate, Selby and Skipton town centres in decades and aim to increase productivity by making it quicker, easier and safer for people to travel around and connect with economic opportunities.”

Calls for a delay

Despite the recommendation, business groups in Harrogate criticised the project and called for a delay to the vote.

In a joint letter to members of the county council’s executive, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, Harrogate Business Improvement District and Independent Harrogate warned that work on the scheme would create ‘another 12 months of major disruption and misery’ for businesses already struggling to get over covid.

The letter added:

“Sadly, the views of the business community have been continually ignored. As have those of other key organisations, in particular Harrogate Civic Society and residents’ organisations who believe what is being proposed will not bring the benefits being espoused.

“The Conservative Party, of which you are a member, prided itself on being the party of business. Sadly, this doesn’t appear to be the case anymore.”

The groups also criticised the county council for publishing an economic case for the project just days before the vote.

They said they have had no opportunity to comment on the paper and called for a vote on the scheme to be delayed until they have had chance to scrutinise it.

The executive meeting can be watched tomorrow on the North Yorkshire County Council website.

Ripon company supplies gritters for London’s roads

A Ripon company is set to supply gritters to keep London’s roads safe during winter.

For the next seven years, 33 Econ Engineering vehicles will be located at different points in London ready to mobilise when temperatures plummet.

Econ, which has its main manufacturing base in Ripon, has been negotiating with three companies that have been awarded contracts to keep the capital’s roads ice and snow free.

Ringways, Tarmac and Kier Joint Venture and FM Conway were all awarded contracts by Transport for London to maintain the capital’s roads.

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All three companies have turned to Econ to purchase vehicles for winter maintenance.

Ringways has purchased 11 gritters, Tarmac and Kier joint Venture 13 and FM Conway has bought nine from Econ.

Jonathan Lupton, from Econ, said: 

“We are delighted to have been chosen by all three TfL contractors as their winter maintenance vehicle partner of choice.

“This is a significant contract award for us and demonstrates our standing within the highways and transports sector.

“For more than 50 years, Econ has become an industry leader in the manufacturing of gritters, and our vehicles are used by councils, highways agencies, and road contractors the length and breadth of the UK.”

TfL said in a statement:

“For the next seven years the three contractors will be ensuring our roads are kept open whatever the weather conditions. And for their part, they have chosen Econ Engineering to supply them with the necessary vehicles to ensure they fulfil their contractual obligations.”

Roadworks bring morning ‘chaos’ to Killinghall

Temporary traffic lights in the centre of Killinghall brought “chaos” to the village’s roads this morning.

Northern Powergrid began work today excavating a trench to install cables beneath the pavement outside the Tesco Express, which is being built on Ripon Road in the centre of the village.

Three-way traffic lights have been installed at the junction with Otley Road and buses and lorries have been prevented from turning in and out of Otley Road from Ripon Road while work is carried out.

The area is always busy at peak times because it is the main route between Ripon and Harrogate. But this morning the works led to particularly heavy traffic and delays to the 36 bus run by Harrogate Bus Company.

The situation had calmed down by mid-morning but long delays at rush hour are expected for the next 10 days while work is carried out.

‘Avoid Killinghall at all costs’

One resident in Killinghall described the situation as “chaos” at rush hour.

They told the Stray Ferret:

“Bus stop outside new Tesco shut. Northern Powergrid have three-way traffic lights on junction and the other contractors are here doing the footpath work as well. Avoid Killinghall at all costs.”

Another resident, who was driving between Ripley and Harrogate, said the journey which would normally take a couple of minutes was now “taking more than half an hour” due to the temporary lights and traffic. They said traffic was particularly bad heading into Harrogate.

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Traffic problems caused delays and cancellations to Harrogate Bus Company’s 36 service.

The company said its service would continue to run as normal, but passengers should expect delays at peak times due to the heavy traffic on Ripon Road.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Bus Company said:

“Planned work by Northern Powergrid is taking place in the Otley Road/Ripon Road area of Harrogate, from today. This means our service 24 between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge will be diverted in the Killinghall area, and will be unable to reach stops between Redfearn’s Garage and Grainbeck Lane. This diversion is expected to remain in place until Friday, February 4.
“Full details of alternative arrangements are being advertised to keep our customers informed, including on our Twitter feed ‘@harrogatebus’ and on our free to download Transdev Go mobile app.”

Northern Powergrid wrote to residents last week. It said:

“There will be a certain amount of disruption during the implementation of this work but every effort will be made to keep this to a minimum.”

Administrators reveal state of Harrogate firm CNG Energy’s finances

The state of CNG Energy’s finances has been revealed after its administrators published its first report into the company.

The Harrogate-based company, which had offices on Victoria Avenue, fell victim to spiralling wholesale gas and electricity prices and went out of business last year.

A report published by Interpath Advisory, the administrators appointed to take charge of the company, has revealed CNG owes £3.6 million to HMRC and other “secondary preferential creditors”.

Although the administration process is still in the early stages, the report says it expects to pay “a dividend” to those creditors.

The report says:

“Based on current estimates, we anticipate that secondary preferential creditors should receive a dividend.

“We have yet to determine the timing and quantum, but we will do so when we have completed the realisation of assets and the payment of associated costs.”

The company also owes more than £4 million to trade creditors and £6 million to consumer creditors.

London-based IT consultancy firm Gentrack UK Ltd is owed £450,759 and is among the highest creditors in the report.

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Meanwhile, the company has also made all but 21 employees redundant. CNG employed around 145 staff in Harrogate.

Staff still working are currently assisting with the transition of customers over to new suppliers.

Company was operating on ‘thin margins’

Administrators also found that the company had been experiencing financial difficulty for some time due to “significant cash flow pressures primarily caused by sharp price increases in wholesale gas prices and the general volatility in the energy market”.

The company was already operating on “thin margins” prior to the covid pandemic and had taken out a secured loan of £35 million from Glencore, a multi-national oil and gas firm.

However, the failure of a number of key customers and spiralling wholesale costs left the company unable to finance itself. The report says:

“In the absence of the financial and operational support of CNG Wholesale and other group entities, the company did not have the financial resources required to operate as a standalone business or bear the £35 million loan that was due to Glencore.

“As a result, the directors and Glencore began to explore ways to facilitate an orderly exit from the market.”