Three companies have been awarded a share of a £20 million contract to help progress major transport schemes in Yorkshire, including Harrogate’s Station Gateway.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which works in partnership with local authorities to improve transport and stimulate economic development, advertised a contract to bring in a strategic development partner for its Transforming Cities projects.

The projects include the £10.9 million Station Gateway scheme in Harrogate, which was approved last month, and similar schemes that promote sustainable travel in West Yorkshire, including a new bus station for Halifax town centre.

Leeds-based companies Jacobs UK Limited, Ove Arup & Partners Limited and WSP UK Limited have now been commissioned to help move the schemes forward.

This includes support to help “ensure that all necessary technical work and tasks are completed to enable projects to complete full business cases”.

Business case earmarked for August

Works on detailed designs of the Harrogate project – which includes reducing a stretch of Station Parade to single-lane traffic and a part-time pedestrianisation of James Street – are now continuing ahead of a final business case being submitted around August.

The business case will then be presented to West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which is overseeing the project funding from the government’s Transforming Cities Fund.

Read more:

• In depth: What is the economic case for Harrogate’s Station Gateway?
• Harrogate Station Gateway could take a year longer to complete than expected
• Harrogate set for ‘greatest investment in town centre in decades’

Subject to its approval, a contractor will then be appointed to carry out the works, as well as similar projects in Selby and Skipton.

The Harrogate gateway scheme is one of numerous schemes being funded by a £2.45 billion central government fund to boost active travel in towns and cities.

Work on the scheme was due to begin in spring this year and take a year to complete. But North Yorkshire County Council, the lead partner, has said work can continue longer. Business groups have expressed concern that roadworks could affect Christmas trade.

As previously reported by the Stray Ferret, following final approval, work on the scheme could continue into 2024 after the Department for Transport advised council officials that the deadline could be extended.

Harrogate Borough Council has approved a long-awaited plan that aims to solve how the west of Harrogate’s roads, schools and health services will cope with 2,000 extra homes.

The West Harrogate Parameters Plan will be used to identify what infrastructure is required and to help assess the planning merits of future developments in the area.

Council officials devised the document following discussions with the county council, developers and site promoters, along with community groups, parish councils and stakeholders.

Cllr Tim Myatt, cabinet member for planning, said the plan would ensure “we have the necessary infrastructure to support these future communities on the west side of Harrogate”.

He said it included two new primary schools, four playing pitches and two new local centres for shops and health services, as well as land designated for employment, new cycle lanes, footpaths and bus routes.

Cllr Myatt added:

“A number of suggestions have helped shaped the West of Harrogate Parameters Plan and I’d like to thank stakeholders – and especially local community groups and residents’ associations – for their valuable feedback.

“This engagement has played an integral part in ensuring we have been able to produce a plan that clearly identifies what infrastructure is required, whether that’s community facilities, school provision, green infrastructure or sustainable travel opportunities, for example.

“It also sets a benchmark for future developments across the Harrogate district and ensures that we not only delivery much needed homes but also create communities that residents can be proud of to call home.”

Beckwithshaw is set to see an increase in through traffic due to new housing on Otley Road.

The council added that the document was designed to help “support the sustainable and coordinated” development of future homes in the west of Harrogate.

Council to draw up infrastructure strategy

Now the plans has been approved, the council will begin preparing a West Harrogate Infrastructure Delivery Strategy (WHIDS) that will provide more detail about infrastructure requirements for West Harrogate and the associated cost.

It will include a review of existing capacity and timings for the phasing of key infrastructure, including education provision, health and wellbeing services, water and drainage, sport and playing fields provision, highways and open space.

Read more:

• Infrastructure plan for 4,000 homes in west Harrogate ‘a missed opportunity’
• Harrogate council exceeds house-building targets by almost 1,700 homes

The plan is due to be completed in May and will also be used to inform section 106 agreements paid by developers to fund infrastructure associated with their schemes.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive councillor for access at North Yorkshire County Council, said the authority would continue to support the borough council on infrastructure.

He said:

“North Yorkshire will continue to work closely with the borough council as a key partner responsible for services like education, highways and transport.

“We will support investment in the local highways infrastructure, as is already taking place on Otley Road, but will place the greatest priority on the provision of excellent public transport and facilities for walking and cycling.”

Residents remain unhappy

However, David Siddans, secretary of Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service previously:

“We, along with other organisations in the area, say that the council should not be approving the parameters plan until full details of the infrastructure package is agreed.

“We understand that is not expected before May this year.

“We have no confidence that this will happen and it is likely that developers will again be given the green light with the wider infrastructure needs remaining unaddressed.”

The GP-run vaccination sites in Harrogate and Ripon administered their 200,000th covid jab in the last week.

The figure applies to vaccines given at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate and Ripon Races, which are operated by the Yorkshire Health Network, which is a federation of the 17 GP practices in the Harrogate district

When pharmacy vaccines are also included, the total number of jabs in the Harrogate district since the start of the pandemic comes to 374,994.

Ripon Races held its final vaccination clinic on Sunday. The Great Yorkshire Showground is due to close in March.

The information comes as the number of covid infections in the district continues to fall rapidly.

The latest daily UK Health Security Agency figures show that 100 covid cases have been reported in the last 24 hours.

Read more:

• NHS writes off £13m in Nightingale hospital beds cost
• Harrogate care boss: Vaccine mandate led to ‘significant’ staff losses

Currently the district’s seven-day covid rate stands at 531 per 100,000 people.

It remains above the county-wide average 412 and the England rate of 417.

NHS England figures show the number of deaths from patients who tested positive for covid at Harrogate District Hospital stands at 228.

Police are appealing for witnesses after £6,000 worth of antiques and collectables were stolen from a shop in Ripon.

Officers said a man forced entry into the shop on Kirkgate between 7pm and 7.30pm on February 11.

The suspect stole thousands of pounds worth of collectables, including coins and a watch.

He then returned to the shop at around 10pm and forced entry for second time before leaving with an old collectable air rifle.

North Yorkshire Police have urged anyone with any information to come forward if they recognised the items (pictured above) or have seen them for sale on social media.

A police statement added:

“Anyone with any information is asked to get in touch.

“Dial 101, press 2 and ask to speak to Mark Nursery, or email Mark.Nursey@northyorkshire.police.uk and quote reference number 12220024878.”

Read more:

• Arsonists attempt to set fire to Ripon Cathedral
• Couple jailed after Bower Road brothel reveals modern slavery in Harrogate

Emergency services are dealing with a crash on the B6164 at Knaresborough.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was dealing with a crash involving two cars on the junction with the A658.

North Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire Ambulance Service are also at the scene. Drivers are urged to avoid the area.

#Knaresborough & #Harrogate crews dealing with a 2 vehicle road traffic collision at the junction of #B6164 & #A658 at Knaresborough. Hydraulic cutting gear in use. @NYorksPolice & @YorksAmbulance also on scene.

— North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service (@NorthYorksFire) February 23, 2022

The Stray Ferret has changed the way it offers Traffic and Travel alerts.

We will now notify you instantly through app notifications and flash tweets when there is an urgent alert. This could include heavy traffic, dangerous weather and long delays or cancellations of public transport.

The alerts are sponsored by The HACS Group.

The planned merger of two Harrogate primary schools has moved another step closer after it was hailed as an opportunity to provide “excellent education” for all children in the town’s most deprived area.

Woodfield Primary School and Grove Road Primary School will become one in September 2022 if the proposals are approved.

The plans were progressed at a North Yorkshire County Council executive meeting today when members agreed that a statutory notice proposing the move should be published.

This was despite objections from some parents who said “Woodfield School’s problems should not become Grove Road’s problems” after Woodfield was judged inadequate and put into special measures by Ofsted, before failing to find an academy to take it over.

These comments were made during a consultation which closed in January and received just 12 responses.

Cllr Patrick Mulligan, executive member for education and skills at the county council, said this low figure was “quite unusual” and something he believes is “tacit approval” for the merger.

Cllr Paul Haslam, who represents the Bilton area and is a governor at Woodfield Primary School, also said it was key that the school avoided a full closure – despite its struggling pupil roll and finances.

He said:

“We know that the provision of excellent education is the cornerstone of moving areas out of poverty.

“Woodfield is the most deprived ward in Harrogate and one of the most deprived in North Yorkshire. We must keep a school in this area.

“There may be some short-term logistical challenges, but I believe this merger will be great for the pupils, parents and area.”

The two schools sit just half a mile apart, but have very different ratings, pupils numbers and finances.

Read more:

• Parents vow to fight closure of ‘fantastic’ Woodfield primary school
• County council ‘would give Woodfield school more time to improve if it could’
• Woodfield primary school set to close in September

Grove Road is rated as good by Ofsted inspectors, while Woodfield received its inadequate rating and was put into special measures in January 2020.

Woodfield is also forecasting to be almost £333,000 in debt by 2024 due to having just 49 pupils on its books, while Grove Road is currently operating at capacity with almost 300 pupils and is forecasting a budget surplus by 2026.

The proposed merger has been agreed by both governing bodies of the schools, and statutory proposals will be now published in March.

After this, a final decision on the move will then be made by the county council’s executive in April.

If the proposals go ahead, nursery aged children will attend the site at Woodfield, which will be re-named Grove Road Nursery from September.

Eventually all Key Stage One pupils will be taught at the Woodfield site, with Key Stage Two being taught at the larger Grove Road site.

Harrogate Borough Council looks set to award two contracts worth a total of £28 million to a Bristol company to build a new leisure centre in Knaresborough and refurbish Harrogate Hydro.

Senior councillors will be recommended next week to directly appoint Alliance Leisure to construct the projects as part of its leisure strategy and to proceed with construction work.

The Hydro contract is worth £11 million; the Knaresborough scheme is valued at £17 million.

A council report said its selection procedure would avoid “the traditional more time-consuming procurement process for public organisations”.

It added that process is “fully compliant” with the UK Leisure Framework, which allows for the direct appointment of a partner (Alliance Leisure) for scoping, design, refurbishment, construction and development of leisure centres. The framework is available to UK public sector organisations.

Alliance Leisure was awarded a £2 million contract by the council to draw up plans for both schemes in November 2020.

Read more:

• Harrogate Hydro reduces opening hours due to staff shortages
• Green light for major refurbishment of Harrogate Hydro
• Decision delayed on £13m Knaresborough Leisure Centre after residents not invited to speak at meeting

Major changes

The council, which will be abolished next year, is to build a two-storey extension on the Hydro and construct a new leisure centre, which includes a six-lane pool and exercise studio, at Knaresborough.

A report due before the council’s cabinet on Wednesday said the Knaresborough centre has the potential to be “entirely self-financing”.

It said:

“The 2019 review into the delivery of sport and leisure highlighted the opportunity to invest in the facilities which deliver for residents and visitors of the east of district/Knaresborough.

“The initial development of the scheme indicates that it has the potential to be entirely self-financing or that it could provide additional revenue cost reductions with the allocation of council capital, capital receipts from disposals or external grant.”

Designs for Knaresborough Leisure Centre.

Councillors on the planning committee will be recommended to approve plans for the leisure centre on Monday after a decision on the scheme was delayed last week when a “technical error” meant residents were not invited to speak at the meeting.

The cabinet will then discuss the proposal to award the contracts at a meeting on Wednesday.

People in the Harrogate district are being urged to count the stars in the sky to measure light pollution.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England is carrying out the survey from Saturday, February 26, to Sunday, March 6.

The move comes after the Yorkshire Dales joined 15 other areas as a designated dark sky reserve in 2020.

It’s possible to see thousands of stars, the Milky Way, meteors and even the Northern Lights in some areas on clear nights.

Read more:

• Yorkshire Dales joins international dark sky list
• Paddle to the stars at Nidderdale reservoir as part of Dark Skies Festival

People are now being urged to sign up on the Campaign to Protect Rural England website where they can submit their counts.

A spokesperson for CPRE North and East Yorkshire added:

“Results from Star Count will be used to help make a map of where star-spotters are enjoying deep, dark skies.

“By showing on a map where light pollution is most serious or has risen, CPRE can work with local councils and others to decide what to do about it.”

A Dark Skies Festival is currently being held in the Yorkshire Dales until March 6. It includes events across the national park area.

Harrogate Borough Council has exceeded its house-building target by almost 1,700 homes over the last three years, according to new government figures.

Statistics released in the government’s Housing Delivery Test reveal the district needed 987 new homes to meet demand between 2018 and 2021 – but 2,682 were delivered.

That is 1,641 homes – or 266% – above the target and has sparked fresh questions over whether this level of new housing is being matched with improvements in Harrogate’s struggling infrastructure, schools and health services.

A Harrogate Borough Council spokesperson argued the government figures are only a minimum target and that its own ambitions in its Harrogate district Local Plan take greater account of the desperate need for more affordable housing.

They also described the current level of house-building as a “positive step” to tackle this problem.

The spokesperson said: 

“Our adopted Local Plan, underpinned by local evidence of housing need, seeks to tackle a number of long standing local issues.

“In particular, families and young people are facing increasing difficulty in buying their own home due to a lack of houses and high house prices.

“Local businesses also tell us that they struggle to recruit locally due to the high cost of housing.

“The level of new housing included in the Local Plan will help to address these issues and support our economic ambitions.”

It was six years in the making but the Local Plan was finally adopted in 2020 when Harrogate set its own target of delivering 637 new homes each year until 2035.

And while there was some controversy over which sites were allocated for development, local politicians of all stripes agreed it was better to have a plan, than no plan at all.

Housing ‘free for all’

Cllr Pat Marsh, leader of the council’s opposition Liberal Democrat group, described the six years prior to the Local Plan’s adoption as a “free for all” of uncontrolled house-building.

She also said while the Local Plan has handed Harrogate greater control over its housing future, it had yet to be matched with meaningful improvements for communities which will feel the long-term effects of dramatic population growth.

Cllr Marsh

“The Lib Dems are very concerned about our infrastructure; it is not fit for purpose.

“The council now has a Community Infrastructure Levy, but before that the council could only ask for monies from developers if their development had a negative impact on existing nearby residents.

“Schools have been able to get monies through the legal Section 106 agreement to help with any extensions required because of the development but until very, very recently secondary schools were not considered or included at all.

“Medical services have never been included which is again ridiculous with all these extra demands on our doctors and dental services, police and our hospital.

“The government wants houses, but does not give councils the real powers to achieve what is required for the local infrastructure needs for all these large developments.”

Read more:

• Residents say 53 homes at Knox Lane will ‘decimate’ idyllic scene
• Starbeck residents pledge to fight 181-home Kingsley Drive plans ‘tooth and nail’

Parameters plan approved

Defending its record, the council also pointed towards the West Harrogate Parameters Plan – which sets out the needs for an extra 4,000 homes – as a measure to ensure the area has the “necessary infrastructure to support future communities”.

The plan has been recommended for approval at a meeting today and while it has been praised by the council, those living in the area have complained it does not go far enough and is being approved too soon to balance the impacts of what will be Harrogate’s biggest urban expansion in decades.

David Siddans, secretary of Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association, said: 

“Since 2018 we have been arguing that Harrogate Borough Council are planning for far more houses than the district actually needs, amounting to many thousands.

“Now they are giving developers permission for hundreds more on top of that, nearly all of them on greenfield sites.

“Every new house over and above the numbers needed adds to carbon emissions and also increases the pressure on infrastructure.

“From what we have seen with the emerging West Harrogate Parameters Plan, the authority is suggesting that a bus every 30 minutes and a shared footway/cycleway will address the travel needs of the additional 6,000 or so population, with minimal other changes to the network.

“We have also expressed our concern at the additional demands that will be placed on education, and the lack of a coherent strategy for secondary schooling.”

Mr Siddans added: 

“We, along with other organisations in the area, say that the council should not be approving the parameters plan until full details of the infrastructure package is agreed.

“We understand that is not expected before May this year.

“We have no confidence that this will happen and it is likely that developers will again be given the green light with the wider infrastructure needs remaining unaddressed.”

Arthurs Avenue in Harrogate is due to be closed for roadworks.

The road is set to close from 8am today until 5pm and will be shut for works until Friday, February 25.

According to a North Yorkshire County Council traffic order, the road is being closed for work to repair the carriageway.

Road closure signs on Arthurs Avenue.

The Stray Ferret has changed the way it offers Traffic and Travel alerts.

We will now notify you instantly through app notifications and flash tweets when there is an urgent alert. This could include heavy traffic, dangerous weather and long delays or cancellations of public transport.

The alerts are sponsored by The HACS Group.