Conservatives and Labour ‘disappointed’ after Knaresborough by-election defeat

The Conservative and Labour candidates for the Knaresborough Scriven Park by-election have said they are disappointed following the result.

Liberal Democrat Hannah Gostlow won the seat last night, beating Conservative Jaqui Renton by 251 votes.

A by-election was held after former Conservative councillor Samantha Mearns resigned from Harrogate Borough Council due to family reasons.

Both Ms Renton and Sharon-Theresa Calvert, Labour candidate, said they were disappointed with the results and thanked voters who turned out in support of them.

Afterwards, Ms Renton said:

“Hannah was a good candidate, I worked hard, but she worked hard as well and the result has happened.

“This election has been interesting and a good experience. I have met a lot of lovely people during the campaign which I thoroughly enjoyed.

“A lot of people voted for me as well which is wonderful. Thank you so much to those, I’m so grateful, and also thank you to the staff who have run the count tonight.”

Ms Theresa Calvert, who received 91 votes, said:

“It is disappointing but I know I ran a positive campaign – I had policies and forward thinking.

“I want to give a big thank you to those people who came out and voted for me.”

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Meanwhile, Ms Gostlow said she was delighted to win the seat:

“We are really pleased as a party – and I’m really pleased to have this opportunity to step up to the borough council.

“I want to thank residents for their support and encouragement throughout our campaign.

“I will continue my work to make Knaresborough a wonderful community, campaign to protect our green spaces and also push for sustainable transport.”

The results in full were:

Voter turnout was 31% (1,124 votes) and there were two spoiled ballots.

Ms Gostlow’s victory means there are now 30 Conservatives, eight Liberal Democrats, and two independent councillors on Harrogate Borough Council.

Harrogate district covid rate falls below 300 per 100,000 people

The Harrogate district’s seven-day covid rate has fallen below 300 cases per 100,000 people for the first time since the start of July.

The rate now stands at 294 having declined rapidly from a high of 534 just 11 days ago.

Elsewhere, the North Yorkshire rate stands at 311 and the England average is 321.

The district has recorded another 79 new covid cases in the last 24 hours, according to today’s Public Health England figures.

Harrogate District Hospital has not reported a covid-related death in three-and-a-half months.

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It means the covid death toll at the hospital since March 2020 remains at 179.

However, latest figures show that the hospital is treating nine covid patients compared with just three a week ago.

Elsewhere, 122,628 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 103,445 have had a second dose.

Housebuilder awarded £63m contract to build 200 homes in Pannal Ash

A property company has been awarded a £63 million contract to build 200 homes on the site of the former police training centre in Harrogate.

Homes England, the government’s housing agency which bought the site in February, has handed the contract to Countryside Properties.

The controversial plans to build homes on the site off Yew Tree Lane have been delayed after Harrogate councillors deferred the proposals until concerns about traffic and infrastructure in the west of Harrogate were addressed.

Countryside Properties, which has offices in Leeds, will be paid £63,814,699 to construct the scheme if it is given the go-ahead. The contract was awarded in March this year and runs until December 2026.

Chris Penn, managing director of partnerships in Yorkshire at Countryside Properties, said:

“Since establishing our presence in Yorkshire in 2019, we have delivered a number of developments across the region that fulfil our ambition to create beautiful homes that collectively form new and sustainable communities.

“This is a vision we share with Homes England and we are delighted to have exchanged contracts for the redevelopment of the site at Yew Tree Lane in Harrogate.

“We look forward to progressing the scheme with Homes England to accommodate the local need for high quality and efficient new homes.”

200 homes plans delayed

Homes England already has permission for 161 homes on the site, but has seen efforts to increase the number halted by councillors.

The latest proposal, which would have seen the number of homes on the site increased by 23 per cent to 200, was deferred by Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee in June.

Councillors said they wanted to see the publication of the council’s parameters plan, which will assess transport and infrastructure needs associated with wider plans to build up to 4,000 homes on the western side of Harrogate, before making a decision.

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The parameters plan was expected last year but has been delayed and councillors heard it could take years to be finalised.

The development has proved controversial with residents in the area, particularly as it could see the loss of sports pitches.

Nick Viles, chairman of Pannal Sports Junior Football Club told the meeting in June he had “serious concerns about the loss of pitches for community use”, which he said went against the ethos of the club.

But Homes England’s planning consultant said the application was compliant with the Harrogate District Local Plan 2014-2035, which sets out the district’s planning strategy until 2035, and that section 106 infrastructure payments by the developer would fund ‘much needed sports facilities’ elsewhere.

The consultant added it was a “viable and deliverable scheme” which, if approved, would begin next year.

The council is expected to make a decision on the plan at a later date.

‘I think government has got this wrong’: Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge and Ripon politicians react to devolution

Councillors in Knaresborough, Ripon and Nidderdale have shared their reaction to the government decision that North Yorkshire’s two-tier councils will be scrapped and replaced with a single unitary authority.

In a move which will mark the end of North Yorkshire County Council and seven district and borough councils including Harrogate, Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick last week announced his decision to opt for a new single council structure over a rival bid for two authorities split on an east/west basis.

It will mean all council services will come under the control of the new authority from April 2023 – and there could also be the opportunity for town and parish councils to take on new powers.

Harrogate is also likely to get a new town council.

The government decision comes after North Yorkshire County Council last year submitted plans for the single council bid, while the district and borough councils, except Hambleton which rejected all options on the table, were behind the east/west split.

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The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked councillors in Knaresborough, Ripon and Nidderdale for their thoughts on the decision, as well as how they hope their areas will fit into the new local government picture.

Here is what they said.

Christine Willoughby, mayor of Knaresborough.

Christine Willoughby, mayor of Knaresborough.

Cllr Christine Willoughby, the mayor of Knaresborough

“I hope that the new North Yorkshire council will be responsive to people’s needs and will realise that decades of budget cuts have left services in a poor state.

“I fear that we may get a distant uncaring council which will continue neglecting our town.

“I really hope the new council will listen to Knaresborough Town Council and take notice of its views.

“In the past, Knaresborough Town Council has often been frustrated by North Yorkshire County Council’s unwillingness to discuss and negotiate over certain key issues i.e. the insistence of gritting of roads in Knaresborough being restricted to bus routes and leaving Kirkgate ungritted with our railway station at the bottom of the hill.

“I’m sure the town council will be willing to discuss the possibility of taking over certain responsibilities from the new council, if the financial package is acceptable.

“Areas that the town council might be interested in looking to take over might include burial services including the cemetery, the use of and responsibility for the market place including car parking, and the weekly market and I’m sure there may be many others including possibly some buildings.”

Cllr Andrew Williams, leader of Ripon City Council.

Cllr Andrew Williams, leader of Ripon City Council.

Cllr Andrew Williams, leader of Ripon City Council

“I have no angst against North Yorkshire County Council but I do think the government minister has got this decision wrong.

“My fear is that we will have a very large authority with not as many elected members and as a result of that fewer voices standing up for local people.

“I also worry we are not going to see an improvement in services and I am sure there will be counterarguments to this but you only have to look at the state of the roads in Ripon to see the county council already does some things badly and other things really well, such as education.

“We have an aspiration to do more as a city council as we believe doing things locally and involving local people is the best way forward.

“We would certainly like to see Ripon Town Hall back in the control of people in the city, as well as Hugh Ripley Hall. We would also very much like to run the Thursday markets.

“We have already raised some of these issues with Harrogate Borough Council and some have had a more favourable response than others. We hope they will work with us to get the best possible outcome for our residents.

“I don’t think tears will be shed locally following the demise of the borough council.

“Ripon residents do not feel they have had a fair crack of the whip when it comes to provision of services but we hope that can be put aside over the next 20 months for us to finish working with the council on a positive note.”

Mike Holt, mayor of Pateley Bridge.

Cllr Mike Holt, the mayor of Pateley Bridge

“The first thing I have to say is that Pateley Bridge Town Council is an independent council and as such does not have to follow a party line on policy, so the town councillors have their own opinions on devolution and I believe that is how it should remain.

“My personal thoughts are that the single unitary authority is the correct route to take simply because it cuts out the seven current district tiers of management and supervision which must  save money but will also end the double taxation situation that many parishes face.

“To give an example, some of our council tax is paid to Harrogate Borough Council which amongst other things pays for the upkeep and maintenance of the flower beds in Harrogate and the Stray, but we as a council are also charged by HBC for the maintenance of the flower beds and borders in and around Pateley Bridge.

“I believe this is a double tax and HBC acknowledged this several years ago and paid us a ‘maintenance grant’ to cover the difference.

“Over the last few years this grant has been reduced and is now not available, so reverting to a double taxation. The single authority should remove that type of anomaly.

“I really cannot see much change for Pateley Bridge or Nidderdale in general, as we do not have any boundary issues with the changes.

“To take on extra roles, for example cleaning gullies or planting and maintaining flower beds, costs more than just the labour and materials involved.

“The whole administration costs and insurances as well as extra staff have also to be budgeted for but in the future, with the money saved with the single authority, there may be more funds available to make that work effectively at our local level.”

Bid for 170 homes in Knaresborough set for refusal

Plans to build a major housing development at Water Lane in Knaresborough look set to be refused for a second time.

Harrogate Borough Council officers have recommended that councillors turn down a fresh application for 170 homes on the site at a planning meeting next week.

Landowner Geoffrey Holland previously had a plan for 218 homes rejected in October 2019.

The new proposal would see a mixture of one, two, three and four-bedroom houses built. A total of 68 homes would be allocated as affordable housing.

However, council officers have raised concern over inadequate access at the site, which they could cause “potential road safety issues”.

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Officials also said the number of homes in the application was a “relatively significant uplift” on the 148 allocated under the council’s Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines planning in the district until 2035.

Although the site is earmarked for housing in the plan, council officials said the “resulting layout is not considered to reflect the edge of settlement location or the principles of good layout design”.

In a report due before councillors, the authority said:

“The application has failed to meet these requirements, as set out in detail in this report. The submitted details would not create a well-designed, carefully mitigated scheme.

“The application is therefore recommended for refusal.”

86 letters of objection

The proposal has received 86 letters of objection, with none submitted in support.

Among the concerns raised by residents were the loss of outdoor space and the lack of adequate access to the site.

Tracy May, a local resident, said in a letter to the council that the development would impact on a “peaceful area”.

She said:

“This is an area in Knaresborough that is used extensively by local residents for recreation and yet more our outdoor spaces are been given over to development.

“This will make this peaceful area very busy and impact on local leisure facilities.”

Councillors on the planning committee will make a decision on the plan at a meeting on Tuesday.

Domestic abuse referrals in North Yorkshire increase by 80 per cent

The number of referrals for domestic abuse help in York and North Yorkshire has risen by 80 per cent.

It means the number of victims seeking help from community-based support services has risen by about 4,000 people since 2019.

Trained staff working as independent domestic abuse advisors, who help victims, have much higher caseloads and some have handed in their notice, a public accountability meeting held by the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner heard this week.

Police data shows there were 1,917 domestic abuse crimes reported in the Harrogate district between January 2020 and June 2021.

Police and domestic abuse support organisations have continued to support victims throughout the pandemic through calls and online services, by arranging court orders remotely and by using extra government funding used to employ more advisors.

Jenni Newberry, head of commissioning at the office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said:

“Data shows that the volume of referrals into our support services significantly increased during the pandemic and referrals overall do remain very high.

“Referrals into our services have increased significantly. There has been an 80 per cent increase between 2019/20 and 2020/21. That equates to an additional 4,000 referrals.”

She said people also tend to need more intensive support during the pandemic because of other issues, including court delays and the need to spend more time with the perpetrator of the abuse in lockdown.

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But she added that one “positive” is that people have responded well to the support.

Pressure on the system

Ms Newberry said advisors had seen their average caseloads increase significantly from 56 clients in April 2020 to 76 in April 2021.

Extra funding from the Ministry of Justice has enabled the service to employ more domestic abuse advisors and Ms Newberry added: 

“We are relatively confident that we can manage these increased volumes of caseloads moving forward, but obviously there’s pressure on the system.

“We have seen [advisors] hand their notices in and there are only so many trained and ready to begin service.”

Meanwhile, there was an increase in children committing offences against parents during lockdown, North Yorkshire Police detective superintendent Allan Harder said.

He said one reason was that children wanted to leave home when restrictions were in place and this led to arguments.

He added:

“Throughout covid we have remained engaged and proactive to support victims of domestic abuse. We have worked with partners to deliver consistent services.”

Voters head to the polls for Knaresborough Scriven Park by-election

Voters will head to the polls for the Knaresborough Scriven Park by-election today.

The election is being held following the resignation of Conservative councillor Samantha Mearns, who last month announced she had stepped down due to family reasons.

The winning candidate will replace Cllr Mearns on Harrogate Borough Council.

The candidates standing for election are:

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Samantha Mearns was also a member of Knaresborough Town Council and voting to fill this seat will also take place today.

There are three candidates for this vote, including Jaqui Renton (Conservatives), Sharon-Theresa Calvert (Labour) and Andy Bell (Liberal Democrats)

Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm.

Harrogate district covid rate continues to fall

The Harrogate district has recorded 69 new covid cases in the last 24 hours, according to today’s Public Health England figures.

It means the district now has a weekly average of 307 infections per 100,000 people, compared with 534 just 10 days ago

The North Yorkshire rate stands at 340 and the England average is 350.

Harrogate District Hospital has not recorded a covid-related death in three-and-a-half months.

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It means the covid death toll at the hospital since March 2020 remains at 179.

However, latest figures show that the hospital is treating nine covid patients compared with just three a week ago.

Elsewhere, 122,607 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 103,352 have had a second dose.

Ripon citizens panel being set up to shape new vision for city

A Leeds-based architecture firm is seeking the views of Ripon people to help it devise a masterplan to regenerate the city.

Harrogate Borough Council appointed Bauman Lyons Architects in February on an £85,000 contract to devise a Ripon renewal plan.

The plan will provide a framework for future development in the city that also considers current initiatives, such as the regeneration of the former Ripon barracks.

The council said yesterday it wanted to hear from people in the city, in particular young people, to help shape the new vision. As part of the scheme, the council is creating a citizens’ panel, which will involve attending some two-hour workshops this year.

Bauman Lyons haș already consulted with 60 organisations and held a campaign for people aged 16 to 30 to ‘speak up and speak out’ about their ideas for the city.

Among the issues identified are more things for young people to do, fewer cars on the roads around the market place, affordable housing and pedestrian and cyclist priority in the city centre.

There were also calls for better traffic management on Low Skellgate and Westgate and a new green route to link the Workhouse Museum and cathedral.

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Trevor Watson, director of economy, environment and housing at the council, said:

“It is a priority project for us and we want to work with the community in Ripon to build upon the work already undertaken by the local community in drawing up the city’s Neighbourhood Plan and the many other opportunities and assets Ripon has to develop a joined-up and detailed masterplan.”

Irena Bauman, from Bauman Lyons Architects, said:

“Ripon is a wonderful gem, but it needs to adapt to be relevant to young people and to their futures. We are looking forward to working with everyone, especially the young, towards a common vision of 21st century Ripon.”

Ripon people can have their say on the project online here and express an interest in joining the panel here.

Controversial plan for 217 homes on Harrogate’s Kingsley Drive set for refusal

A controversial plan to build 217 homes on Kingsley Drive in Harrogate has been recommended for refusal.

Harrogate Borough Council‘s planning committee will make a decision on Tuesday next week. But council officers have recommended the scheme be rejected.

The council received 388 objections to the scheme and no responses in favour.

The current application, submitted by Persimmon Homes, has seen the number of properties planned on the site reduced from 244 to 217.

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

However, residents have raised a number of concerns over Persimmon’s plan, including overdevelopment and traffic congestion.

Officer concerns

Council officers have recommended that councillors on the committee reject the application next week.

Although the site is allocated for housing under the council’s Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines development in the district until 2035, officers have concerns about overdevelopment and inadequate information on surface water drainage and noise.

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Under the plans, a total of 86 homes would be allocated as affordable housing with the rest being market value homes.

It would see a mixture of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes built.

But an officer report due before councillors says:

“Although overall [the plan] would contribute towards maintaining housing supply within the district, the density of the development and its scale and layout would result in overdevelopment of the site.

“The quantum of dwellings, their resultant layout, extent of frontage parking, private drives and lack of adequate cycle parking along with inappropriate drainage arrangements, inadequate air quality and noise assessments and lack of a number of documents are such that the proposal is clearly contrary to the terms of the development plan.”

The council added that the planned number of homes for the site was 173. The current application, when combined with the nearby Stonebridge Homes development, would see a total of 313 houses built if it was approved.

In a planning statement submitted to the council last month, Persimmon Homes said it had sought to address the authority’s concerns and had completed a “comprehensive re-assessment of the scheme”.

It said of the reduction to 217 homes:

“These changes were necessary to accommodate the level of open space, landscaping and space between dwellings so as to create an effective and coherent urban realm.”

“Nightmare” development

One of the residents who objected to the development was John Hansard, of the Kingsley Ward Action Group.

In a letter to the borough council, Mr Hansard said the area would not be able to cope with another development.

He said:

“We now find ourselves faced with the nightmare of a possible fifth development of another 217 houses from Persimmon. 

“This, in an area which simply does not have the infrastructure, road network, amenities, schools to cope with at least another possible 1,000 extra residents and another possible 500 cars. We have had enough and wish this urban sprawl to stop.”

Another resident, Anthony Buck, told the council that the development would “take away our last remaining open space”.

Sarah Knapper, a resident of Kingsley Park, said:

“This area of Harrogate has already been grossly overdeveloped. 

“This has led to a huge increase traffic and pollution. It has led to a loss of habitat for wildlife and reduction in the quality of life for local residents. The local road infrastructure is already overwhelmed.”

Traffic congestion

Hundreds of residents raised concerns that traffic caused by the development would lead to problems.

They said that the Kingsley area does not have the infrastructure to cope with more cars and that another development would cause congestion issues on nearby Knaresborough Road.

Kingsley lorries

A lorry collided with a car in the Kingsley area this year. There are also concerns about the volume of traffic.

In May, residents called for urgent road safety action after a lorry hit a car in the area.

In an email to the county council, residents said they had “repeatedly” said Kingsley Road was not suitable for construction traffic.

They also objected to a one-way system proposed by developers Persimmon, which would stop traffic entering Kingsley Drive or Wreaks Road from Kingsley Road.

Mr Hansard added in his letter of objection:

“The road network is not capable of supporting the extra number of vehicles likely to impinge on our daily life.”