Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

Controversial Wetherby Road Starbucks would ‘change our lives’, say residents

A controversial plan for a drive-thru Starbucks on Wetherby Road would adversely affect lives, according to residents who live next to the site.

The proposals by Euro Garages would see the coffee shop built on the former 1st Dental surgery site.

Harrogate Borough Council has refused the plan three times and a government planning inspector has also turned down the application.

But the authority has now withdrawn its objection to the latest plans, leaving residents to fight an appeal by the developer themselves.

David Stephenson, who has lived on Coachman’s Court with his wife for six years, is among those fighting the proposal.

Mr Stephenson’s house is next door the proposed site and he would be able to see the serving hatch of the Starbucks from his lounge window.

The view of the proposed Starbucks site from Mr Stephenson’s bedroom window.

He hoped for a quiet retirement when he moved to Coachman’s Court but said the Starbucks would change that if given the go ahead.

Mr Stephenson said:

“I think it is going to change our lives.

“We live in a nice, quiet cul-de-sac and this is not what we wanted in our retirement.”

He added that residents do not object to the site needing redevelopment, but said a drive-thru coffee shop would only increase traffic at the Woodlands junction.

The junction is the only air quality management area in Harrogate, which obliges the local authority to improve air quality.

Another resident, Joanne Richardson, said she had concerns about the noise, pollution and number of cars coming through the site.

Ms Richardson has lived directly behind the former 1st Dental site for five years and her bedroom window would look out onto the drive-thru.

The view of the site from Ms Richardson’s bedroom window.

She said she was frustrated with the plan and expressed concern over the nitrogen oxide levels from cars to nearby properties.

Ms Richardson added that she “could not believe” that the council would no longer be defending its decision to refuse the plan.

In her consultation response for the appeal, Ms Richardson said:

“I am very frustrated to be in this position again, despite this proposal being rejected by Harrogate Borough Council again.

“This is not a case of Nimbyism. I am genuinely concerned on the impact of this proposal not just on my health and those residents surrounding the site, but also the impact on residents quality of life and wellbeing.”

Cllr Pat Marsh, a Liberal Democrat who represents the area on the council, said the development was another example of “big companies pushing for planning applications” to be put through.

The proposed layout of the Starbucks site on Wetherby Road as submitted to Harrogate Borough Council. Picture: Euro Garages.

Another appeal

Last week, the council announced it would not be defending its refusal of the proposal by Euro Garages.

The multi-million pound company, which also operates drive-thru facilities for KFC and Greggs, will be taking the council to appeal on June 15.

John Worthington, the council’s executive officer for development management, said officers could not stand successfully at appeal because their previous recommendation would “undermine” their case and that losing also risked legal costs of over £50,000.

A council spokesman told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that not contesting the appeal “hasn’t been an easy decision to make” but was “the best way forward in this instance”.

As a result, residents will appear at the hearing to defend the council’s refusal and have called for expert help ahead of the appeal to support their case.

The Stray Ferret approached Euro Garages for comment on the concerns, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

Man with MND sets 100-mile charity challenge through Yorkshire Dales

A Green Hammerton man with motor neurone disease is embarking on a 100-mile challenge in an off-road wheelchair around the Yorkshire Dales to raise money for charity.

Ian Flatt, who was diagnosed with the condition two years ago, intends to complete a series of walks with his family totalling 100 miles.

The walks will help to raise money for St Michael’s Hospice and MND Association, who have helped to support him and his family.

Ian, with his wife Rachael and two children Charlotte and Iseabail – and their spaniel Nealla – will retrace some of their favourite trips through Fountains Abbey, Bolton Abbey and Malham Tarn among others.

Back in March 2019, Ian was diagnosed with motor neurone disease after being unwell and struggling to breathe. He had undergone tests for cancer and other illnesses, but was relieved once he received the news.

Ian said:

“It was a relief. I had been ill for a while. It was almost validation.”

At first the diagnosis took its toll on his wife and daughters, but Ian said the care and support from St Michael’s helped them through the tough times.

Despite being told not to plan beyond Christmas that year, he was determined not to let his condition stop him being in the great outdoors.

With the help of St Michael’s he got an off-road wheelchair, which would allow him to continue enjoying walks with his family.

Ian said the wheelchair, which his daughters have named the “Tangerine Dream Machine”, has helped him continue his “sense of adventure” and is like “a mini quad bike”.

He said:

“I have been determined not to let motor neurone disease stop me from doing the things I love to do.

“Walking is just something as a family that we have always done.”

Ian hopes to raise £10,000 for both charities through the walks, which he will start from May 26.

Each walk will be five or six miles at a time.

Ian explained:

“I want to get to the end of it and think that it was hard.”

But he added the ultimate goal is to recognise those at St Michaels and MND Association who have helped him and his family.

“We are just doing something that we enjoy.

“It is not just about the organisations, it’s about the individuals who have helped.”

You can find out more about Ian’s fundraising campaign, which has raised more than £3,500 already, and donate here.

Another five covid cases in Harrogate district

Five further covid cases have been reported in the Harrogate district, according to Public Health England figures.

It takes the total number of cases since last March to 7,729.

Meanwhile, the district’s seven-day covid rate stands at 18 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire average is 20 and the England rate is currently 23.

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

According to NHS England statistics, the death toll remains at 179.

The last reported death at the hospital was on April 11.

Ripon Spa Baths opens after more than a year closed

Ripon Spa Baths has reopened today (May 14) after more than a year of closures caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

It was forced to close in March 2020 when the first lockdown came into force and has stayed shut until today due to its staff supporting frontline council services stretched by the pandemic.

All swimming pools, leisure centres and gyms were allowed to reopen last month when other Harrogate Borough Council-run sites including the Hydro, Nidderdale Pool and Ripon Leisure Centre made a return.

However, Knaresborough Pool and Starbeck Baths are still shut, and it remains unclear when they will reopen.

This is because maintenance works at Knaresborough Pool due to be carried out by specialist engineers from Spain have been halted by travel restrictions, the council previously said, although it added it was trying to find a UK-based firm to fix the problem.

Cllr Stanley Lumley, the council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, previously said it was hoped Starbeck Baths would reopen shortly after Ripon Spa Baths but a date has yet to be announced.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service:

“I’m delighted we have now been able to reopen Ripon Spa Baths and we are keen to get every other site open as soon as possible.

“With the challenge of staff being redeployed into frontline services, we are now getting our leisure services back up and running slowly but surely. We are running a strong recruitment campaign to fill the shortfall of staff and that is well on its way.

“We have also now ordered the equipment needed for the repairs at Knaresborough Pool and while reopening will be longer than we had hoped, we are keenly progressing.”

The return of Ripon Spa Baths will be welcome news for swimmers but the building’s future is shrouded in uncertainty.

Harrogate council has put the 116-year-old baths up for sale despite protests that it could lose its community use if snapped up by a private developer.

Groups including Ripon City Council, Ripon Civic Society and Ripon Together have called for the sale to be suspended to allow more time for proposals to be brought forward, but their protests have been rejected.

A spokesperson for Harrogate council previously said:

“We have no plans to withdraw the sale of Ripon Spa Baths.

“The building will soon become surplus to our requirements and we do not have the resources to maintain it.

“Selling the baths for redevelopment, subject to planning permission and listed building consents, would allow this local asset to be given a new lease of life, retain its key features and remain as a city landmark.

“Ripon City Council, or another interested party, is welcome to submit a bid.”

The spokesperson also said the building is being sold because it will no longer be needed by the authority when the refurbishment of Ripon Leisure Centre is completed later this year.

The multi-million-pound upgrades were due to be completed earlier in 2021 but have been hit by construction and Covid delays.

The spokesperson added:

“Our strategy of disposing of assets no longer required means we have been able to invest more than £10 million in Ripon.

“The city’s new state-of-the-art, bigger, and better swimming pool and refurbished leisure centre will open at the end of this year.”

Jack Laugher claims silver medal at European Aquatics Championships

Diver Jack Laugher has won a silver medal for Great Britain at this year’s European Aquatics Championships.

He finished second in the men’s 1m springboard final and scored 402.90 from six routines.

Laugher, who is from Ripon, is competing for Great Britain at the tournament in Budapest.

Germany’s Patrick Hausding picked up the gold medal, while Giovanni Tocci finished third and took bronze.

Laugher said:

“At the end, my score is not so great but I am happy with the medal. For me it was important to get a feel of the Championships and to get used to competing again.

“I am more than happy to share the podium with champions like Patrick and Giovanni and content with the silver medal.”

Meanwhile, Laugher is set to compete in the individual 3m discipline today.

Wetherby Road residents call for expert help to fight Starbucks plan

Residents fighting a plan for a drive-thru Starbucks on Wetherby Road have called for expert help ahead of an appeal hearing.

Harrogate Borough Council decided to drop its objection earlier this week, warning the cost of the hearing could be £50,000.

Euro Garages, the retail firm behind the proposal, is taking the council to appeal over a decision tor refuse the plan for a drive-thru coffee shop on the former 1st Dental Surgery site.

Residents have decided to defend the council’s refusal themselves at the inquiry on June 15.

After a meeting on Wednesday, Cllr Pat Marsh, who represents the area, called for support from experts for residents to help with their case.

She said:

“As the council will not defend the council planning committee’s original decision it is now up to local residents and myself to attend the appeal to defend the council’s decision and make the case on why this is the wrong site for a drive-thru coffee shop.

“The council said it could not find any experts to defend the refusal but I am sure that there must be experts out there who would be able to help and guide the residents in this very important case.

“If anyone can and will help, please do contact pat.marsh@harrogate.gov.uk. The residents would also like help and support from their local MP Andrew Jones.”

Euro Garages has spent almost a decade trying to win permission to open the coffee shop on Wetherby Road, Harrogate but has been refused three times by councillors and once by a government inspector.

Earlier this week, John Worthington, the council’s executive officer for development management, said officers could not stand successfully at appeal because their previous recommendation would “undermine” their case and that losing also risked legal costs of more than £50,000.

After the meeting, a council spokesman told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that not contesting the appeal “hasn’t been an easy decision to make” but was “the best way forward in this instance”.

Multi-national company recruits 25 staff in Harrogate as part of expansion

A multi-national payment company has recruited an additional 25 staff as part of its expansion plans in Harrogate.

Trust Payments, which helps businesses to handle payments online through technology, set up in the town in August 2020.

However, it has since signed a new lease at a new office at the Exchange, Station Parade, which it will move into in the summer.

The company, which was set up in 2019 and has 11 global offices, intends to have a team of 35 by the end of 2021 as part of its plans in Harrogate.

The new office is considered the company’s Northern Hub, and the company will be creating new roles, such as specialists in telesales, account management, sales support, product and operations.

Matt Jackson, Head of SME, joined the company a year ago to head up the Harrogate office, said:

“Last year we spent a lot of time making sure things were done right, we took our time, built new processes, new systems and hired the right people to help make the initial setup a success.

“Through 2020 the company has seen record growth, launched innovative new products, built valuable partnerships and most recently secured its Authorised Payment Institution (API) License from the UK FCA.”

He added:

“As we’ve said before, Harrogate and the surrounding area has a great Fintech talent pool and we hope to take advantage of that where we can.

“The commitment to the new office is a great step forward in our plan. The office, which is right next to the train station, gives us transport routes for people living further afield and for employees from other offices to be able to easily visit Harrogate.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance to spend £15 million on new helicopters

Yorkshire Air Ambulance is set to spend £15.3 million upgrading its fleet of helicopters.

The charity will replace its current G-YAAC and G-YOAA models with two new state of the art Airbus H145.

Bosses at YAA said the decision to upgrade its fleet was to ensure the people of Yorkshire receive the best operational and medical service.

They added that the new helicopters would be paid for through the charity’s reserves, financial planning and by selling the current models.

Steve Waudby, director of aviation at the charity, said:

“Our two current helicopters, G-YAAC and G-YOAA have served us well since 2016 and will continue to do so for another few years.

“However, the typical effective lifespan of an air ambulance helicopter is somewhere between seven to 10 years, so we are placing a timely order now for delivery in 2023, whilst taking advantage of early Airbus production line slots, as this helicopter has become very popular within the air ambulance community.

“There have also been a lot of advancements made to the H145 since we bought our current aircraft – both technically in the cockpit, and medically with regards to the equipment we carry.

“We had the choice to look at retrospectively fitting these technological advancements or upgrading to brand-new helicopters that include everything as part of their specification. Given the complexities of helicopter mechanics, we would have also faced a longer lead time with having everything retrospectively fitted rather than buying new, so it was sensible for the Charity to upgrade the helicopters for new ones.”

How the new Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopters, the Airbus H145, would look.

The first of the two new helicopters is expected to arrive in Yorkshire in Spring 2023, with the second following shortly after in Summer 2023.

The new fleet will come with full medical fit out, on board Wi-Fi to allow patient records to be updated inflight and a secure communications system which will allow the crew to send patient data ahead to their destination hospital.

Peter Sunderland, Chairman of the YAA, said:

“We are delighted to be able to announce our plans for these new helicopters.

“The H145 has become the most popular new aircraft globally and we are very much looking forward to welcoming the two new models to Yorkshire in Spring and Summer of 2023.

“Our current H145 D2 helicopters have served us well, so there was no question about considering other makes or models – it is fast becoming the air-ambulance helicopter of choice within the air ambulance sector.”

Five further cases of covid in Harrogate district

Another five covid cases have been confirmed in the Harrogate district.

According to Public Health England figures, it takes the total number of cases since last March to 7,724.

It comes as a case of the Indian variant of covid was recorded in York, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The district’s seven-day covid rate has increased to 18 per 100,000 people.

Elsewhere, the North Yorkshire average is 23 and the England rate is 24.

Meanwhile, 99,494 people have had a first dose of a covid vaccine in the Harrogate district – an increase of 591 on last week

According to NHS England statistics, 50,031 people have had a second dose.

It means that 149,525 doses have been given in total in the district.

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

The last covid death reported at the hospital was on April 11. The death toll remains at 179 since the start of the pandemic.

Council described as ‘inward looking’ after Stray Ferret secrecy investigation

Political parties in the Harrogate district have criticised the borough council after an investigation into secrecy by the Stray Ferret.

The Liberal Democrats in Harrogate have described the authority as “inward looking”, while Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour Party said they were “disturbed” by the findings.

Our research found that Harrogate Borough Council had a shocking record of withholding information from the public on key issues such as contracts and the Harrogate Convention Centre.

The findings showed the borough council had three times more restricted papers than the second highest comparable council and nearly 25 times as many as the lowest.

Cllr Pat Marsh, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on the council, said the authority was fast becoming an organisation where information is not always available.

She said:

“I have been on the council for 31 years and when I got elected all councillors made the decisions at various committees, the cabinet system has brought about an elite hierarchy who are kept updated, make most of the decisions, whilst the rest of us often learn things from local press releases rather than the council.

“There are legitimate reasons for some pink papers especially when commercial confidentiality is needed and personal details of officers and members need protecting but beyond that then the public, whose money it is, should always be made aware.”

Cllr Marsh added:

“It is in inward looking council who appear to want to exclude most people and are afraid of allowing others to make decisions.

“I tried to get the committee system reinstated but all the Conservatives voted against it. The committee system would open the council up to everyone and that can only be of benefit to us all and the council should not shy away from criticism and re-thinks.”

Meanwhile, the Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour Party said it was disturbed at the number of restricted papers.

A spokesperson said:

“Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour Party finds that it is disturbing to note that a number of significant contracts have been awarded apparently without recourse to a competitive/open tendering process, especially in view of the current national issues around the awarding of Government contracts and lobbying by former ministers.

“Such a large number of council and cabinet papers have been restricted and are not in the public domain. It is surprising that the Liberal Democrats appear not to have held the administration to account over these matters.

“We look forward to an informative response from the council. After all, it’s important that local taxpayers know how their money is being spent by the Tory council.”

Our findings also showed that the borough council has an inconsistent approach to disclosing information to the press and public.

On two significant occasions, the council decided to withhold information where thousands of pounds of public money was spent – only to later publish it when challenged.

Cllr Pauline McHardy, who represents Ripon Independents on the borough council, said she found it “bizarre” that information was withheld.

She said:

“This is public money that we are talking about and the public have a right to know what it is being spent on.

“It seems they are being economical with the information. I cannot understand why they put it straight out onto Twitter, not everybody uses social media.”

The Stray Ferret approached both the Conservative leader of the council, Richard Cooper, and Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Andrew Jones, for comment but did not receive a response.

In response to our investigation, a spokeswoman for Harrogate Borough Council said:

“We are an ambitious council with several multi-million pound and major projects underway, including new sport and leisure facilities and investment in Harrogate Convention Centre.

“This is for the benefit of our residents and for the district to be known as the best place to work, live and visit.

“This means, compared to other councils, we probably have more than the average number of commercial contracts being tendered.

“In 2020/21 we dealt with 822 requests under the Freedom of Information Act of 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations of 2004.

“Both make provision for keeping some information, which is commercially sensitive and may prejudice our commercial or contractual interests, exempt from disclosure. The same applies to personal information.

“We apply exemptions only when we need to, and if the legislation permits, but sometimes we take the view that keeping information exempt is outweighed by the public interest in disclosing it.

“This means, in certain circumstances, we may decide there is a good reason for releasing otherwise confidential or commercially sensitive information.

“We pride ourselves on being and open and transparent council.

“We publish all spending over £250, agendas, reports and papers can be found on our website and anyone is welcome to attend one of our various committee and council meetings – most recently virtually – and from this week in person.”

“We are committed to explaining how council taxpayers’ money is spent.

“More information is available on our website: https://www.harrogate.gov.uk/data-protection-freedom-information/data-transparency.”

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