Investigation into hole in the ground at Ripon Leisure Centre

Harrogate Borough Council is to investigate a hole in the ground that’s appeared at Ripon Leisure Centre.

In a report due before senior councillors next week, the authority said it is required to investigate the “void in the ground” in order to retain its business insurance on the building.

The city has a history of sinkholes caused by the soluble of nature gypsum, the rock that lies under much of the area.

Construction firm Willmott Dixon was awarded a £10.2 million contract last year to build the pool and refurbish the leisure centre. It is due to be complete in November 2021.

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The hole was discovered next to the entrance of the existing leisure centre last year and has been filled with crushed gravel as a short-term solution.

However, consultant engineers have told the council that further investigation will be required and remedial work if necessary.

The current insured value of the centre is £3,796,135 plus 10% contents, which the authority says would be lost should any damage be caused as a result of the work.

But, council officers have said this would be a “worst case scenario” and is considered to be an “unlikely event”.

In order to carry out the work, the council will have to self-insure as it says it will not be covered by any third-party insurance.

A report due before the council’s cabinet next week says:

“In order to retain the benefit of our existing insurance cover in the future, the council is obliged to mitigate known issues which could have an effect on this insurance cover. 

“The discovery of a void by the existing leisure centre is an issue which needs investigating and remedial works undertaken if necessary. 

“If the remedial works are not undertaken, the council’s insurers have stated that subsequent losses would not be insured. 

“However during the period of time these investigation and remediation works are ongoing they would not be covered by insurance therefore the council would have to self-insure for all non-negligent damage claims arising.”

It added that the engineers found that the hole had been there “for some time” and was not a result of the current work at the leisure centre site.

Councillors have been recommended to approve the investigation, which is estimated to cost £110,000, and any remedial works.

The Stray Ferret asked the borough council what caused the hole to appear, how wide it was and if any further voids or sinkholes had been found.

A council spokesman said:

“As a result of the reduced level dig – to prepare the new swimming pool site – for the casting of the reinforced concrete foundation slab, a void was discovered under an area of the existing leisure centre.

“This void, which is understood to have been present a number of years, will now be investigated further.

“While this will need to be resolved, we are fortunate that it was discovered as part of the multi-million pound Ripon Leisure Centre improvement project, and we can now carry out the necessary remedial works in the coming months.

“And once the whole project is complete, the leisure centre will provide the much-needed modern facilities that will encourage a healthier and more active lifestyle for our residents and something they can be proud of for years to come.”

Concerns over the Leisure Centre site

Cllr Andrew Williams, leader of Ripon City Council, said the authority had asked the borough council about concerns over the site before.

Sixteen months before Harrogate council approved the project in 2019 to build the new swimming pool, a sinkhole appeared in the leisure centre car park.

Cllr Williams said:

“If there is ongoing problem with the build site then it is in the public interest to know.”

Ground instability problems caused by the soluble nature of gypsum have been seen in many parts of Ripon.

The Stray Ferret reported in October 2020 about the evacuation of a residential block at Bedern Court, caused by subsidence in the area.

In February 2018, a sinkhole opened up on the car park of Ripon Leisure Centre, off Dallamires Lane.

In 2016, a dozen homes in Magdalens Road were evacuated after a 66-ft wide sinkhole opened up.

Developers challenge Spofforth 72-home refusal

Developers behind a controversial 72-home plan in Spofforth have lodged an appeal against Harrogate Borough Council’s refusal of the scheme.

Councillors on the authority’s planning committee turned down the application by Vistry Partnerships and Yorkshire Housing in November last year.

At the time, more than 300 local people and organisations, including Natural England and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, raised concerns about the scheme on Massey Fold in the village.

The proposal already has outline permission, but councillors rejected the application which dealt with the appearance and landscaping of the development even though a council report recommended approval.

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The council said the plan would have a “detrimental urbanising impact upon the character and setting of Spofforth”.

Now, the developers have taken the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which deals with planning appeals.

A statement of case by planning lawyers Walton & Co, which is representing the developers, said the “solitary” reason for refusal was “expressed in generic language”.

It said:

“It is therefore unclear which particular aspect of the layout or design of the proposed scheme is considered to give rise to such impacts, and the assertions made in the reason for refusal are entirely unsubstantiated.”

A decision on the appeal will be made by the government at a later date.

It becomes the latest Harrogate council planning decision to be challenged by developers.

Retail firm Euro Garages has also taken the authority’s rejection for a drive-thru Starbucks coffee shop on Wetherby Road to appeal.

The decision saw the planning committee go against council officer recommendations.

Last week, the authority decided to drop its defence of the refusal after officers said their previous recommendation would “undermine” their case and that losing also risked legal costs of more than £50,000.

Instead, residents will fight the proposal at a hearing on June 15.

Harrogate hospital: ‘Worrying’ drop in early cancer diagnoses

A fall in the number of people being diagnosed with early cancer at Harrogate District Hospital during the pandemic has sparked fears many may get treatment too late.

Official figures seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service show a 13.7% reduction in cancer cases detected at stage one – when the chances of survival are highest – during the first 12 months of the covid outbreak compared with the same period a year before.

Cancer charities fear this means many people may unknowingly have the disease and are missing out on potentially life-saving treatment – and they have urged anyone with possible symptoms to get checked as a matter of urgency.

Lisa Spivey, Macmillan Cancer Support partnership manager for West Yorkshire and Harrogate, said the “worrying” drop in diagnoses was down to patients being too scared to visit GPs in case they became infected with covid.

She said:

“Covid has been at the forefront of everyone’s minds while cancer and other long term conditions have been forgotten.

“The last 12 months have had a massive impact on the number of people coming forward with any sign or symptoms. During the first wave especially, there were huge fears about covid and GPs being busy.

“It’s vital that we do catch cancer at the early stages because it gives us the best chance of treatment and recovery.

“It’s a massive worry that more people may have been missed this year so we need anyone who has any symptoms – or anyone who just needs advice – to please come forward.”

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Dr Kathryn Scott, chief executive of Harrogate-based charity Yorkshire Cancer Research, added:

“We’ve estimated that there could be more than 3,500 missing cancers in Yorkshire. These cancers are less likely to be found at an early stage, when there are more treatment options and the likelihood of survival is higher.

“The good news is that we have seen a surge in referrals recently, and we strongly urge people experiencing possible symptoms of cancer, or any unusual changes to their body, to contact their GP as soon as possible.”

The NHS has worked hard to maintain cancer care during the pandemic, with services at Harrogate hospital remaining open throughout.

While 509 patients at the hospital were diagnosed with stage one cancer between March 2019 and February 2020, this dropped by 13.7% to 439 in the same following period – a fall of around five people a month.

The number of people being diagnosed during the later stages – where the cancer spreads and becomes progressively harder to treat – has also fallen in all categories.

Emma Radcliffe, lead cancer manager at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said while the hospital is not facing the challenge of backlogs because services have continued, there are uncertainties ahead around how many patients could come forward with late stage cancer.

She said:

“The team has worked incredibly hard throughout the pandemic to continue providing vital cancer care – that hasn’t stopped. We’ve introduced new measures to keep our most vulnerable patients out of the hospital environment.

“In terms of the impact the pandemic will have had on cancer services going forward, because we have kept services going we don’t have a backlog so will continue to care for patients in a timely manner.

“However, there is a potential challenge because we don’t know about those patients who’ve not come forward to us, and the impact for them and us. It may be that their cancer is more challenging to treat – that’s why it’s so important that if someone is concerned, they see their GP as soon as possible.”

She added:

“Our really important message to people is that if you’ve had unexplained blood that doesn’t come from an obvious injury (such as blood in your poo or pee), an unexplained lump, weight loss which feels significant to you or an unexplained pain that lasts three weeks or more, it could be a sign of cancer.

“It’s probably nothing serious, but finding cancer early makes it more treatable, so just speak to your GP. We can’t stress that enough.”

More than 100,000 people have first covid vaccine in Harrogate district

More than 100,000 people have received a first dose of a covid vaccine in the Harrogate district.

According to latest Public Health England figures, 101,976 people have had a first dose. The number represents 71% of people aged over 18 in the district.

A total of 61,863 people have had a second dose of a vaccine — 43% of over-18s.

Meanwhile, the district’s seven-day covid rate has dropped to 18 infections per 100,000 people.

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In North Yorkshire, the average is 17 and the England rate is 21.

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

It means the death toll at the hospital since last March remains at 179, according to NHS England figures.

The last covid death recorded at the hospital was on April 11.

Meanwhile, health officials warned today that North Yorkshire could face a fresh period of “turbulence” after a small number of cases of the Indian variant of covid had been confirmed in the county.

Louise Wallace, the county’s director of public health, told a North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum briefing today that cases of the B16172 variant had been identified, although she said she could not confirm how many or where.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Ms Wallace said North Yorkshire was still “well prepared” to deal with any variants of concern and that the advice to residents remained the same.

She said: 

“There have been a small number of cases of the Indian variant identified across North Yorkshire.

“As the public would expect, national Test and Trace and Public Health England have been working together to identify and follow up the cases and their contacts to minimise the risk of spread.

“Our public health advice remains the same whatever the variant of covid – continue with the basics of hands, face, space and fresh air, and meet people outside rather than inside as much as possible.”

Richard Webb, director of health and adult services at the county council, told today’s briefing that while infection rates remained low, the county should still expect some “turbulence” this summer as he urged people to take up their vaccine offer “to protect ourselves, our families and our communities”.

Police: ‘Avoid contact’ after Indian variant found in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire Police has urged people to be wary of touching each other after it was revealed a “small number” of cases of the Indian variant of covid had been found in the county.

Louise Walker, North Yorkshire’s director of public health, revealed today the variant was present in the county. It is not known if any of the infections ar ein the Harrogate district.

Superintendent Mike Walker, who is leading the force’s response to the pandemic, urged people to avoid unnecessary contact with people not in their household.

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Superintendent Walker said:

“Even though limited indoor gatherings and indoor hospitality are now allowed under step three of the roadmap, in line with the rule of six or two households restrictions, we strongly urge people to be very careful until more is known about this variant.

“Please avoid any unnecessary social contact with those who are not part of your household or support bubble, and please keep following the ‘hands, face, space and fresh air’ advice from the health experts.

“We have come a heck of a long way since the terrible peaks of this pandemic, which forced the country into three lockdowns.

“We need to tread very cautiously as we move forward and be prepared for whatever may occur over the coming weeks.”

The force revealed today it hadn’t issued any fixed penalty notices for breaches of covid rules during the last week.

Superintendent Walker added that officers would only take action “against blatant breaches of the health protection regulation”.

County council set to buy Cardale Park land for £1.8 million

North Yorkshire County Council looks set to buy land at Cardale Park previously earmarked for a mental health facility for £1.8 million.

Senior county councillors on the authority’s executive will be recommended to approve the purchase at a meeting next week.

The three acres of land on Beckwith Head Road, Harrogate, will be used to build an extra care facility and will be bought from Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust.

A report due before councillors says the land will be used for the “purposes of progressing the scheme to assist with social care market development in the Harrogate area”.

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The land had previously been given approval for a 36-bed mental health facility, following the closure of Harrogate District Hospital’s Briary Unit, which helped adults with mental illness.

However, those plans were dropped in 2019 and inpatients on the unit were sent to Foss Park Hospital in York instead.

Cllr Jim Clark, a Conservative councillor who sits on the West Yorkshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel to represent North Yorkshire, told the Stray Ferret previously that he was pleased the site was going to be used.

He said:

“It is important that this site is used for the benefit of local people.

“I would have preferred it to be a mental health facility, but I am glad that it is going to be used for assisted housing for people instead.”

The trust, which runs mental health services in Harrogate, has relocated services following the closure of the Briary Wing.

The unit’s mental health crisis team moved to The Orchards in Ripon last year.

Businesses warn £7.9m Station Gateway project could be “hugely damaging”

Harrogate business organisations have said the £7.9 million Station Gateway project could have a “hugely damaging” impact on the town centre.

The project, which is being led by North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, could see James Street pedestrianised and reduce Station Parade to single lane traffic.

The county council is now set to progress both the James Street and Station Parade proposals to design stage with further consultation to follow.

But Harrogate Business Improvement District, Independent Harrogate and Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce issued a joint statement this afternoon criticising the scheme.

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Sara Ferguson, the Harrogate BID chair, David Simister, chief executive of Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce and William Woods and Robert Ogden, Independent Harrogate co-founders, said:

“All three organisations, which between us represent hundreds of town centre businesses, are disappointed that our collective voices have not been listened to.

“In responding to the consultation, we put forward a number of alternative suggestions that we believe will help Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council achieve their objectives, give cyclists dedicated space away from the main A61 Station Parade, assist pedestrians by making changes to the top end of James Street, give priority to buses arriving and leaving the bus station, and protect the interests of town centre retailers.

“We are also strongly of the view the main gateway into the town centre from the bus and railway stations is Cambridge Street, and it is here that Harrogate Borough Council should be fully focussing its attention.

“Two months ago, Cllr Mackenzie shared our concerns about reducing Station Parade to one lane, therefore we are pleased to note more design work and further consultation is to be undertaken on this important issue.

“Cllr Ireland says ‘proposals for sustainable alternatives to the car’ have significant support from residents, businesses and visitors alike, yet this is not what we are hearing from the business community, in particular the retailers, many of whom fear what is being proposed will have a hugely damaging effect on their livelihoods, and the town per se.

“Despite many feeling the outcome is already a done deal, we will continue our dialogue with local councillors and officers, as the final outcome will change the face of Harrogate town centre forever.”

A proposal to pedestrianise James Street in Harrogate, which is being consulted on as part of the Station Gateway plans.

A proposal to pedestrianise James Street in Harrogate, which was consulted on as part of the Station Gateway plans.

Of the 1,101 who responded to the survey, 45% supported the full pedestrianisation of James Street and 49% favoured the Station Parade one-lane proposal.

However, 17% said they favoured a part-pedestrianisation of James Street and 27% backed two lanes for Station Parade.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access, told the Stray Ferret that he was “mindful” that businesses had their own views on matters such as James Street pedestrianisation.

He said:

“Pedestrianisation is one of those things that divides opinion. I’m mindful that many businesses on James Street have expressed their own view on it. 

“I wouldn’t like to second guess which option will be chosen when the county council’s executive meets next week.”

Three men arrested in police drugs swoop in Harrogate

Police arrested three men on suspicion of drug offences in Harrogate yesterday as part of a crackdown on county lines drug dealing.

According to a statement today by North Yorkshire Police, plain cloth officers on patrol in the Avenue Grove area of Starbeck had their suspicions raised by the activity of a man.

He was stopped and searched and found to have class A drugs on him.

Officers then searched a nearby property where they found three other men who were also searched.

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A police statement said:

“Officers recovered more drugs stashed in a mattress, £200 in cash from one of the men and other suspected drugs paraphernalia including three mobile phones. A fourth man was also arrested on suspicion of theft offences.”

A 39-year-old Harrogate man was arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs. Another man from Harrogate, aged 38, was arrested on suspicion of theft, possessing class A drugs and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.

A Leeds man, aged 50, was arrested on suspicion of possessing heroin with intent to supply. He has been released on bail while enquiries continue.

A fourth man, aged 26, from Harrogate, was arrested on suspicion of a number of theft offences.

The three men arrested on suspicion of drug offences have been released while under investigation as further enquiries are carried out.

The police statement added:

“Members of the public are urged to report any suspicious activity about drug dealing in their neighbourhood to the police on 101. Or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.

“Police are also urging people to report any signs that someone they know is being exploited by criminals and forced to work for them. 

“This can include what is known as ‘cuckooing’, where drug dealers take over the home of a vulnerable person – who are often drug users themselves – and use it to store and sell drugs.”

Pedestrianisation of Harrogate’s James Street moves a step closer

Council bosses in North Yorkshire and Harrogate are set to press ahead with designs for James Street and Station Parade as part of the £7.9 million Station Gateway scheme.

The project, which is being led by North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, was consulted on back in March over plans to pedestrianise James Street and reduce Station Parade to one lane.

A report will go before the county council’s executive next week which will recommend progressing to a detailed design stage with further consultation.

Of the 1,101 who responded to the survey, 45% supported the full pedestrianisation of James Street and 49% favoured the Station Parade one-lane proposal.

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However, 17% said they favoured a part-pedestrianisation of James Street and 27% backed two lanes for Station Parade.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access, said:

“We are grateful to everyone across each of the towns who took the time to share their views in the consultation. We have listened. The next steps we are considering take into account the feedback we have received. 

“They take account of concerns raised while providing significant benefits to facilitate and encourage people to cycle and walk. There will, of course, be further consultation on detailed proposals before final decisions are taken.”

The main concerns raised during the consultation were the potential impact of increased congestion and the potential impact on businesses of reduced parking.

The county council said any pedestrianisation or part-pedestrianisation of James Street would result in loss of town centre parking.

How Station Parade might look under the new “station gateway” proposals.

It estimates that this would be no more than 45 out of 915 on-street pay and display spaces in the town centre. Currently, at peak occupancy, it is estimated there are 120 on-street spaces unused.

The pedestrianisation of James Street would also require a Traffic Regulation Order, meaning further consultation would be required.

Cllr Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, said: 

“I’d like to thank those who have taken the time to complete the TCF consultation and shared their views on the Harrogate proposals.

“It’s positive to see that the proposals for sustainable alternatives to the car, and an improved and exciting public realm, have significant support from residents, businesses and visitors alike.

“The benefit of carrying out a consultation early on in the process is that we have everybody’s feedback and ideas to feed in to the next phase of detailed design work. We can now collectively work together, review the feedback, explore our options and design a 21st century travel network that supports economic growth for the region and something people can be proud.”

Further public consultation will take place in the autumn to inform proposals for implementation.

Following the development of detailed designs, a final business case will be prepared, including the outcome of further consultation, before approval is sought to implement the finalised designs.

Funding for the project comes as part of the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund and the schemes must be complete by March 2023.

People urged to ‘think carefully’ before attending Harrogate hospital emergency department

People have been urged to think carefully before going to the emergency department at Harrogate District Hospital.

The hospital issued a statement yesterday saying the department had seen a significant increase in patient numbers over the past couple of months.

About 130 patients a day attended the department in March, compared with 160 a day in May.

This meant patients with less urgent issues were waiting longer to be seen.

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Dr Matt Shepherd, consultant emergency medicine and clinical director long term and unscheduled care at the hospital, urged people to call NHS 111 first unless it was a life-threatening illness or injury.

He said:

“We are now seeing approximately eight per cent more patients attending our emergency department than were doing so before covid began, which makes it very difficult to ensure we can safely keep social distancing measures in place.

“Colleagues in the department – and the wider hospital – are working incredibly hard to provide care but we do ask that people think about other healthcare options available to them.

“The most urgent and life-threatening cases take priority, which means that unfortunately people coming in with less urgent issues are experiencing longer waiting times. Our emergency department is for emergencies only, such as severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, significant head injuries and broken bones.”

He added that alternatives, such as calling NHS 111, consulting a GP or visiting a pharmacist, could mean waiting less time to receive care. He added:

“You can also check any symptoms and find out what to do and when to get help using the NHS website – nhs.uk. It can find services near you, such as local pharmacies, who can offer advice for common health problems such as sore throats and headaches, aches and pains, bumps and bruises or sickness and diarrhoea.”