Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

Harrogate district records highest covid rate since start of pandemic

The Harrogate district has recorded its highest covid rate since the start of the pandemic.

Today’s figure shows that the district has a seven-day average of 509 infections per 100,000 people.

It has surpassed the seven-day average of 497 that was recorded on January 7.

The overall North Yorkshire rate stands at 570 and the England average is 520.

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

However, no covid-related deaths have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital in more than three months.

NHS England figures show that the covid death toll at the hospital since March 2020 remains at 179.

Latest statistics show that the hospital is treating five patients who tested positive for covid.

So far, 121,974 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 101,048 have had a second dose.

Knaresborough by-election candidates quizzed as polling day looms

Knaresborough Scriven Park residents will head to the polls next Thursday to elect a new borough and town councillor.

There are four candidates contesting for the seat on Harrogate Borough Council which has been left vacant following the resignation of Conservative councillor Samantha Mearns, who last month announced she had stepped down due to family reasons.

Those in the running for the July 29 election include Conservative candidate Jaqui Renton, a former landlady of The Union pub in Knaresborough, as well as Sharon-Theresa Calvert, who has been nominated as the Labour candidate after previously standing for a Knaresborough seat on North Yorkshire County Council in 2017.

Hannah Gostlow, a serving Knaresborough town councillor, will stand for the Liberal Democrats and is collaborating with the local Green Party, which has not made a nomination.

The final name on the list is Harvey Alexander, a UKIP member who earlier this year stood as an independent to become a county councillor for the Bilton and Nidd Gorge division in Harrogate.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service quizzed each candidate on their priorities and asked why they think they should get your vote.

Here is what they said.

Jacqui Renton, Conservative candidate for Knaresborough Scriven Park.

Jaqui Renton, Conservative

This election is about ensuring we have an active, local voice speaking up for local people on our councils. I am standing because I want to take my positive community action to that next level.

I was raised in Knaresborough. I went to Aspin Park Primary School and King James School. My children went to those schools too.

Living here, I use the same shops, roads and services that you do; you can be assured that I want to get the best for our community because it is my community too.

I have a record of positive action. I’ve worked with Andrew Jones MP and Knaresborough councillors to make a difference to our wonderful town, whether it’s tackling speeding on Boroughbridge Road, acting on anti-social behaviour on the Sovereign Fold estate, getting damaged street nameplates replaced and streetlights repaired or making sure residents have their say on housing.

I am putting a positive message out there about what I can do for our community; I am not pulling my opponents down.

My top priority is to keep working for more investment in Knaresborough.

We’re getting huge investment in terms of the new leisure centre, the renovation of long empty high street shops, rail improvements, refurbishment at Conyngham Hall, in our thriving market and new tree-planting for our environment.

I think that’s great, but I also think it’s only the start.

Ours is a fantastic town that we should be rightly proud of – but that’s not to say it can’t be even better.

Hannah Gostlow, Liberal Democrat candidate for Knaresborough Scriven Park.

Hannah Gostlow, Liberal Democrat

I am committed to Knaresborough and have been a dedicated Knaresborough town councillor for the last six years.

If elected, I would use my experience to get off to a flying start.

I feel one of the biggest assets to our town is our fantastic community, community groups and events. I will continue to work hard to support them, as they support us to live healthier and happier lives.

My priorities would be to make sure that the views of our town’s residents are being properly heard and ensure that Harrogate Borough Council engages in a serious and constructive way with all of us, about the important decisions that affect our community.

I will do everything in my power to fight the government’s proposal to loosen planning rules, and to keep consultation with the community a priority.

As a pedestrian, cyclist and mother of two young children I am aware of the many problems on our congested and polluted roads, and I will fight to make these a cleaner safer space for all users.

I will support Knaresborough Town Council’s attempts to safeguard the future of our weekly market, and I will work alongside our community to take appropriate action on crime and antisocial behaviour.

As a Knaresborough town councillor I have always tried hard to champion environmental issues as this echoes my own personal values.

I am grateful that the local Green Party has decided to support us in this by-election.

Sharon Theresa-Calvert, Labour Party candidate for Knaresborough Scriven Park.

Sharon-Theresa Calvert, Labour

I have lived in Scriven Park for nearly 40 years and my father is from Knaresborough.

Decisions made at Knaresborough Town Council and Harrogate Borough Council affect us all and are often made by out of town and unfortunately, out of touch councillors.

I will commit to providing the best representation I can for our local community.

I am a special needs teacher and was chair of Knaresborough Dementia Friendly Community.

As a national executive member for the NASUWT, I am used to dealing with casework and to negotiating with multiple agencies at a national level, I want to do this for our town! I also sit on the TUC Women’s Committee promoting the rights of women who have borne the brunt during the pandemic.

I will be a local voice for a local community, make sure what you say is heard, fight for fairness and equality for all, and ensure you get a clean and green environment which we all deserve. Think globally, act locally.

I will engage with local residents, listen and take up their concerns – I am dedicated to the people of Knaresborough.

I will not make empty promises and I will serve with honesty, transparency and integrity.

I know we will see the same old slogan ‘Labour cannot win here’ but we can and we have a tradition of Scriven Park being Labour.

A new Labour voice is needed on Knaresborough Town Council and on Harrogate Borough Council – please make that voice mine.

Harvey Alexander, UKIP candidate for Knaresborough Scriven Park.

Harvey Alexander, UKIP

The reason I am standing in this Knaresborough Scriven Park by-election is because I am continuing my campaign against a lack of speed camera warning signs in North Yorkshire.

The idea of speed cameras are for people’s safety and to get people to obey the law by using warning signs. North Yorkshire Police are not interested in this, all they want to do is catch people speeding.

When they were first introduced in North Yorkshire, speed cameras were used to stop motorcyclists roaring through the Dales. But the fact is they don’t use them in the Dales, they use them on busy main roads without warnings.

I have been campaigning against this for over 15 years and I would use my position as councillor as a platform to promote safety and saving lives.

My other concerns are the high cost of house prices and the fact that young people are finding it unaffordable to buy a home.

Our authorities seem to have no regard for young people’s needs. They are building thousands of new expensive homes but there is no thought about where young people are going to live and work.

I believe UKIP is still relevant and I should appeal to a wide, diverse section of the public, especially those interested in road safety.

Win or lose in this election, I would like members of the public to support me for safer roads and better ways of stopping motorists speeding.

Are any other elections being held?

Former councillor Samantha Mearns was also a member of Knaresborough Town Council and voting to fill this seat will take place on the same day as the borough council by-election.

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

A full set of elections for North Yorkshire County Council was due to be held in May but was cancelled because of plans to replace the county’s two-tier councils with either a single unitary authority or two authorities split on an east/west basis.

A final decision on which path to take will be announced by the government this week before elections to the new council structure in May 2022.

Meanwhile, there have been no full elections to Harrogate Borough Council this year and because of the reorganisation plans, it is likely they will never be held again.

The last time elections were held for the Knaresborough Scriven Park seat in 2018 Conservative Samantha Mearns won with 457 votes just ahead of Liberal Democrat Matthew Walker (441 votes) and Labour’s Andrew Wright (291 votes).

The turnout was 36% of 3,266 eligible voters.

Work on £10.9m Harrogate Station Gateway could start in February

Construction on Harrogate’s £10.9 million Station Gateway project is expected to start in February next year, according to a council report.

Detailed designs for the project, which includes proposals such as reducing Station Parade to one-lane, are currently being drawn up.

It could also see part of James Street pedestrianised in an effort to encourage more walking and cycling.

A progress report due before North Yorkshire County Council on Friday, says:

“Scheme construction is anticipated to commence in February 2022 following approval of the final business case by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

“Completion of the scheme by the Department for Transport deadline date of March 2023 remains challenging.”

The report adds that further public consultation on the detailed design plans is expected in September ahead of a final business case being complete.

A final proposal for the project is anticipated to go before the county council’s executive in December.

The report follows the recent publication of a 160-page document analysing responses to the first round of consultation to the scheme, which is a joint initiative between Harrogate Borough Council, North Yorkshire County Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Of 935 people who replied to a consultation question about traffic on Station Parade in an online survey, 49 per cent preferred the one-lane option, 27 per cent preferred the two-lane option and 24 per cent preferred neither.

Of the 934 who replied to a question about pedestrianising the northern section of James Street, between Princes Street and Station Parade, 54 per cent said they were either positive or very positive about it while 38 per cent were negative or very negative towards it.

Harrogate town centre social distancing planters removed

Planters in Harrogate town centre, which were put in place for social distancing, have been removed this morning.

Workers were seen removing the planters early this morning on Albert Street, with those on James Street expected to follow.

The measures were implemented at the height of lockdown for shoppers to distance from each other in the town centre.

However, the planters are now being removed in line with the lifting of covid restrictions nationally.

The move proved unpopular with some town centre businesses which said the loss of parking spaces affected trade.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive councillor for access at North Yorkshire County Council, told the Stray Ferret yesterday that all social distancing measures and parking suspensions would be removed this week.

The move would include social distancing cones in Knaresborough.

However, the Ginnel in Harrogate is to remain closed to traffic for an unspecified period of time to support outdoor hospitality.

Plan for eight commercial units on former Dunlopillo site in Pannal

Developers have submitted plans for eight commercial units on the former Dunlopillo factory site in Pannal.

York-based Echo Green Developments has lodged the application which would be based to the northern part of the site on Thirkill Drive.

It would include 28 car parking spaces, 10 cycle spaces and two motorcycle spaces.

The developer said in its planning documents that the plan would “deliver much needed economic development” and that the site was earmarked as employment land by the council.

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

The move comes as the former Dunlopillo site has undergone redevelopment. Councillors gave permission to change the site into a mixed-use development back in 2015.

Much of the site has already been demolished and replaced with housing as well as the Vida Grange care home.

Harrogate council ‘demonstrated unreasonable behaviour’ over Starbucks rejection, says inspector

Harrogate Borough Council “demonstrated unreasonable behaviour” in rejecting a Starbucks drive-thru on Wetherby Road, according to a government planning inspector.

Helen Hockenhull, who oversaw an appeal by developer Euro Garages in June, approved the development for the former 1st Dental Surgery site on Friday.

She also awarded full costs for the hearing against the council.

The council turned down the development back in 2019 on air quality and highways grounds, but later withdrew its objection.

The move forced residents fighting the proposal to defend the authority’s reasons for refusal at the hearing.

In a decision notice, Ms Hockenhull said:

“The council have not provided any evidence to support their position.

“The reasons for refusal in relation to highways and air quality amount to persistence in objections in respect of matters which an inspector has already found to be acceptable.

“I accept that members would have local knowledge of the area and the junction and many members would have personal experience of traffic issues in this location. However, it was unreasonable to persist with such objections, particularly as the floor area of the proposal had been significantly reduced.

“Given the above, I find that the council has demonstrated unreasonable behaviour which has resulted in the applicant incurring unnecessary cost in the appeal process. A full award of costs is justified.”

In response the inspector’s comments, a council spokesman said:

“Officer recommendation of approval was carefully considered against a wide range of issues, including local and national planning policy, case law, consultation responses and anything else considered to be ‘material’ to the application.

“This recommendation was overturned by the planning committee and permission was refused, which led to a successful appeal by the applicant.

“An agreement on costs has not yet been reached.”

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

A spokesperson for Euro Garages said:

“We are delighted to have received planning permission and we are very pleased with the inspector’s decision.

“This development will help to create up to 20 local jobs for the area.”

‘Angry’ and ‘astounded’

The move to approve the development came despite concerns from local residents over traffic and air quality.

Residents at the appeal warned that the road was already at “breaking point” and that such a development would adversely affect those living next door.

Ms Hockenhull said she recognised her findings would be “disappointing” to local people, but added that she was “not persuaded that the development would cause significant harm”.

Cllr Pat Marsh, who represents the area on the borough council, said she was left “anrgy” and “astounded” following the decision.

She said:

“Many people throughout Harrogate will be outraged by this. It is not an appropriate place to put a drive-thru.

“I cannot understand how they have come to this decision. I felt all our arguments had great strength to them.

“The residents could not have done better to put forward their arguments.”

Freedom Day sees Harrogate district covid rate close to record high

The Harrogate district’s covid infection rate is on course to reach record levels this month, as almost all legal restrictions on social contact are lifted.

Social distancing rules which have governed people’s lives for over a year have finally ended today, with face masks no longer mandatory in shops and on public transport, limits on gathering gone and the work from home guidance ended.

Nightclubs, theatres and restaurants can also fully reopen, while pubs are no longer restricted to table service only.

But with covid cases continuing to soar, there are renewed warnings about pressures on key sectors of the economy and the NHS.

The weekly rate of infections in the Harrogate district currently stands at 495 cases per 100,000 people and appears certain to pass the previous peak of 497 in January.

Meanwhile, today’s Public Health England figures showed a further 103 cases have been reported across the district.

Just five hospital patients

But the number of people currently in hospital with covid is nowhere near the levels from previous peaks – with just five patients in Harrogate as of last Wednesday.

There has also not been a virus-related death at the district hospital in more than three months.

With vaccines providing protection against serious illness, the effects of the virus are very different this time round. But the big unknown is how far this rise in cases will go before the virus slows down or goes into reverse.

Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council, said in a letter to residents last week that although restrictions were ending, people should still “act responsibly” as he also encouraged the continued wearing of face coverings in busy spaces.

He said:

“I can sum up our approach in two words: respect and protect. We can show respect for and offer protection to ourselves and those around us by continuing to do the simple things.

“Please continue to wear your face covering in crowded spaces outdoors or indoors.

“Businesses and shops need to do all they can to protect their staff, as well as customers. They don’t want to have to close because staff are self-isolating, so wearing a facemask not only protects you, it protects other people and supports local business.

“Likewise with social distancing, some people may not feel as confident as you, so giving them space is important. Regular hand washing and sticking to well-ventilated places remains important, too.

“Above all else, it is crucial that you have your vaccination. Get your first jab as soon as you’re able – and make sure you get your second jab, too. That continues to be our best line of defence.”

Baby steps for Harrogate bars on Freedom Day

The sight of queues at the bar were nowhere to be seen at lunchtime in Harrogate today, despite the lifting of all remaining social distancing restrictions.

Drinkers have got used to table service over the past 12 months and it appears many pubs in the town centre have opted to keep the measure.

I took a walk around the town this afternoon to gauge the feeling as Harrogate experienced Freedom Day.

The atmosphere seemed to be one of caution, rather than cramming to get to the bar.

It felt as though many bar owners had one eye on the soaring covid rate, which is now almost at its highest ever.

In Wetherspoons, punters were allowed to go up to the bar but they also had the option to stay in their seat to order via a QR code.

However, screens are in place between tables to protect customers and hand sanitiser remains at the entrance, along with a queuing system.

Wetherspoons in Harrogate, which still had a queueing system outside and hand sanitiser on hand this afternoon.

The keeping of table service and hand sanitiser was replicated across bars in town.

North Bar on Cheltenham Parade, has gone one step further by encouraging customers on its Facebook page to wear masks while moving around the bar.

Similarly, bar staff are on hand at Threes’ A Crowd, West Park, to serve customers where they sit — though they are still welcome to order at the bar.

The feeling among some pubs owners in the town centre is probably best summed up by the Disappearing Chin, on Beulah Street.

On Sunday, the bar took down its screen which had covered the length of the bar since last year.

However, despite taking the decision to remove it as restrictions were lifted, a post on its Facebook said:

“It’s been so tough with all the restrictions and unfortunately it doesn’t feel good that they’re finally being lifted.

“We’re excited to get back to normal but we’re not pushing it.”

Plans for 77 homes on former Trelleborg factory site in Knaresborough

Plans have been lodged for 77 new homes in Knaresborough on a former factory site.

Developer Countryside Properties has earmarked the former Trelleborg factory on Halfpenny Lane in the town for the houses.

The site is not allocated for housing in Harrogate Borough Council’s Local Plan, but it is included on the council’s Brownfield Land Register, which identifies locations that are considered to be appropriate for redevelopment for residential use.

As part of the proposal, the development would include a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom homes.

Planning documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council show that 30 per cent of the 77 homes would be allocated as affordable housing.

The developer said in its planning statement:

“The development at Halfpenny Lane will provide an attractive, high quality designed environment to live. The scale and character of the proposals will ensure that the scheme will contribute to and enhance the immediate and surrounding area.”

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

People urged to respect businesses’ wishes as face mask order dropped

A Harrogate business organisation has urged people to respect the choices of traders as the legal requirement to wear a face mask is dropped.

Businesses across the district have been left to advise customers on whether or not to wear a face covering.

It comes as today has been dubbed “Freedom Day” because the remaining restrictions, including one metre plus rule and reopening of all venues without restrictions on numbers, are lifted.

However, while the legal requirement to wear a face mask has been removed, businesses are still encouraging people to wear one.

Matthew Chapman, manager of Harrogate BID, said some firms were keen to minimise risk of staff having to self-isolate.

He said:

“This is very much a matter of choice for both businesses and customers. Whilst some will immediately discard social distancing and enforced mask wearing, others will take a more cautious approach.

“I know of a number of retail and hospitality businesses will retain the existing measures, as they are concerned about staff having to self-isolate and are keen to minimise this risk.

“We also politely ask that customers respect the wishes of individual businesses, and not to take any frustrations they may have out on staff members.”

North Bar, on Cheltenham Parade, is among the businesses encouraging customers to wear a face mask. It posted on its Facebook page that staff would be wearing face coverings and asked guests to do the same.

Elsewhere, Neil Mendoza, general manager at The Studley Hotel and Orchid Restaurant, told the Stray Ferret that staff would continue to wear face masks and social distance in the hotel and restaurant.

He added that he took the decision as he was worried about staff having to self isolate:

“I am particularly worried that it [covid] may hit one of my employees, which could affect business.

“For the safety of my team, we have made a decision to continue with wearing face masks from July 19 onwards for our staff and social distancing in our hotel and restaurant until we feel that it’s safe, as we are also concerned and aware that some of our guests would still want to feel safe when they come to visit.”

Meanwhile, Harrogate Bus Company has recommended that passengers continue to wear face masks on its services.

Alex Hornby, chief executive of the company, said:

“We want everyone to feel comfortable and confident every time they travel with us, and throughout the pandemic we have encouraged everyone to support us in helping to keep each other safe.

“With this in mind, we recommend that our customers continue to wear a face covering when travelling with us, especially at busy times, and just as they may choose to do in other busy places.

“A limited number of people have been legally exempt from wearing a face covering under the existing restrictions, and we ask everyone to remember that this may be why some customers will choose not to do so from Monday.”

Earlier this week, the Rail Delivery Group, the industry body that represents Northern and Transpennine services, said passengers should follow government guidance and wear a face covering if a carriage is busy.

LNER has said it will continue to ask customers to wear face coverings and to reserve a seat on its trains in order to avoid overcrowding.

Will you still be wearing a face mask even though restrictions have been lifted? Let us know at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

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Jaqui Renton, Conservative

Hannah Gostlow, Liberal Democrat

Sharon-Theresa Calvert, Labour

Harvey Alexander, UKIP

Are any other elections being held?

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‘Angry’ and ‘astounded’

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Just five hospital patients

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