Harrogate business organisations launch Station Gateway survey

Three Harrogate business organisations have set up a survey on the upcoming £10.9 million Station Gateway project in an effort to gather more views on the scheme.

Harrogate BID, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce and Independent Harrogate sent the survey out to around 800 of their members.

The aim is to gather opinions ahead of the second consultation of the gateway project, which is currently at design stage, in order to inform a response.

The scheme, which is being led by North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, is designed to cut congestion in the town.

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

But, David Simister, chief executive of the chamber of commerce, told the Stray Ferret that more people needed to be consulted on the project.

He said:

“We are coming into the second round of consultation and we are trying to gauge the reaction of businesses.

“That is why we are doing it.”

Mr Simister pointed out that 1,100 people took part in the first round of consultation, but added that more needed to “feel a part” of the process.

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He said that the chamber was also looking at holding an in-person Q&A session between businesses and the county council at a later date.

Following the outcome of the next round of consultation, further detailed design plans are 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.

As the Stray Ferret previously reported, the county council has anticipated that work could start on the £10.9 million project in February next year.

It 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.

‘No agreement’ on Greens and Lib Dem alliance at next elections

No agreement is in place for Green Party candidates to step aside for the Liberal Democrats in Harrogate district elections in 2022, say local party officials.

However, officials in the Harrogate and District Green Party say they will consider talks ahead of next May.

The party recently agreed with the Liberal Democrats to not stand a candidate in the Knaresborough Scriven Park by-election in an effort to unseat the Conservatives.

As a result, Lib Dem candidate Hannah Gostlow won the seat by 251 votes.

But, Tamsin Worrall, election campaign manager for the Harrogate and District Green Party, said the party had no agreement beyond next year.

She said:

“I must stress there is no agreement for 2022 or 2023. However, I am sure we will be talking about it.

“Whether or not we come to an agreement is another thing.”

Ms Worrall said the recent decision to stand down a candidate was reached after both parties found broad agreement on issues such as the environment.

She said the Greens and Liberal Democrats also agreed that the current voting system, first-past-the-post, did not work for them and gave the Conservatives an advantage.

The party said voters would be “better served” under a new system. However, in the meantime, the Greens may continue to use campaign tactics such as working with other parties to target seats.

Future talks 

The seismic decision to scrap North Yorkshire County Council and the seven districts will mean elections to a new unitary authority next year.

It also means that boundaries for council wards will be redrawn and raises questions over whether the alliance between the Greens and Liberal Democrats may continue under the new authority.

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Cllr David Goode, Liberal Democrat county councillor for Knaresborough, said the outcome in the Knaresborough Scriven Park by-election, which also included a Lib Dem elected to the town council, could not have been done without the cooperation between the two parties.

He said:

“The Liberal Democrat success in getting two councillors elected in the Knaresborough Scriven Park by-election was in part due to the help and support of the Green Party in not fielding a candidate.

“Clearly not splitting the opposition vote can make a difference particularly where the result of a hard fought campaign is likely to give a very close result.”

However, despite the result, the Green Party stood a candidate in the county council by-election for the Bilton and Nidd Gorge ward in May.

The election saw Conservative candidate Cllr Matt Scott win the seat.

Ms Worrall said the party could have stood down, but the turnaround for the by-election was too short and negotiations would not have been completed in time.

However, she said the elections in May 2022 and the new authority for North Yorkshire may open up another opportunity for cooperation.

“I would expect that we will talk at some point.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Goode said greater ties were also needed on a national level to help the parties in a future election.

He said:

“With regards to any future joint cooperation pacts locally between Lib Dems and Green there is still further discussions needed to see if common ground can be identified. 

“This process would be greatly helped if there was improved national cross party links leading to some form of agreement between our parties.”

Devolution will ‘offer residents everywhere a fairer future’, says county council leader

The leader of North Yorkshire County Council has said the forthcoming major shake-up of local government in the county brings the chance to “improve lives and offer residents everywhere a fairer future”.

Writing in an open letter after the government announced it would grant control of all council services to a new unitary authority covering the whole of the county in 2023, Cllr Carl Les said:

“In North Yorkshire we are famous for our straight talking so I want to be clear on what an opportunity we have before us.

“Government has given the green light for a new single council, which will deliver all local services to every household in the county from spring 2023. Not in itself perhaps the most exciting line on earth – but the benefits this approach will bring are real and must not be underestimated.”

Under the reorganisation plans, North Yorkshire’s county and district councils – including Harrogate – are to be scrapped and replaced by the new unitary authority.

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City of York Council will remain separate but all others will be fused together under the new structure covering a population of 618,000.

Cllr Les added:

“Put simply, that’s eight councils, with a wealth of dedicated and skilled staff between them, coming together to form one focused workforce, joining up all those services that will make life easier for everyone.

“Aligning things like planning, broadband, highways and housing to build stronger communities. Joining up job opportunities with education and skills. Support for families with health, leisure and cultural offers.

“The chance to enrich and improve the lives of very many people here and offer residents everywhere a fairer future. It will also save tens of millions that can be ploughed back into strengthening public services and empowering communities to drive and deliver on what matters most to them.”

The single council structure was proposed by North Yorkshire County Council, while the district councils except Hambleton, which rejected all options on the table, submitted a bid for two authorities split on a east/west basis.

Speaking after the government last month announced its backing of the county council proposal, Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, said the decision “flew in the face of the government’s own criteria”.

He said: 

“My argument has always been that any unitary for our area needs to be of the right size and structure to deliver efficient and responsive services to residents.

“The county council deliver some services exceptionally – children’s services and adult social care to name two. In other areas they let our borough down.

“My job now as the leader of Harrogate Borough Council is to explore how the new unitary authority, based on the county structure, can improve these shortcomings.”

The aim of reorganisation is to save money and unlock the door to a devolution deal which could see millions of pounds and decision-making powers handed down from government to North Yorkshire under the control of a new mayor.

Cllr Les added this presented an opportunity for the county to fulfil its role as a “rural powerhouse” as he also urged leaders and residents to work together towards this aim.

He said: 

“Whatever your view on the timing of, detail or context for big changes to how services are future proofed here, please come together as one to help deliver the very best for every single person in the county.

“Team North Yorkshire is resilient, caring and focused. Let’s show the nation what we can do.”

Harrogate district reports 78 covid cases

Public Health England figures show that the Harrogate district has recorded another 78 coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the district’s seven-day rate is now at 270 per 100,000 people.

The North Yorkshire rate stands at 257 and the England average is 286.

However, Harrogate District Hospital has not reported a covid-related death in nearly four months. The last time a death was recorded was on April 11.

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

Elsewhere, 123,253 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 106,664 have had a second dose.

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Gallery: Harrogate Town fans return for start of season

Harrogate Town fans flocked to Wetherby Road in numbers today for the return of league football.

Supporters packed inside the EnviroVent Stadium to welcome back Harrogate Town as they opened their 2020/21 League Two campaign against Rochdale.

Town fans were robbed of the experience of visiting Wembley stadium for the National League play-off final, which coincidentally was a year ago this weekend.

Fans were then left to follow the club through their laptop and mobile phone screens for most of last season as the covid pandemic saw football played behind closed doors.

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But, after a record number of season ticket sales, the Town faithful are back and hopefully for the entirety of the League Two campaign.

For many supporters, today was the first chance to watch Town play league football in the flesh.

Here’s a selection of pictures from the first EFL game back at Wetherby Road.

Harrogate Town fans returned to Wetherby Road for the start of the 2021/22 League Two season.

Nidderdale Charity Walk and Run set to return next month

The Nidderdale Charity Walk is set to return next month for its 27th year.

The event, which is organised by The Rotary Club of Harrogate, will be held on Sunday, September 5, aims to raise money for charitable causes while keeping active.

Over the years, participants have raised money for a number of charities including Harrogate Hospital and Community, Dementia Forward and Harrogate Easier Living Project.

The rotary club also offers those causes which have received 10 or more supporters an 80% donation of the entry fees their fundraisers have paid.

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To date participants of the Nidderdale walks have raised more than £880,000 for charity.

Held annually, five routes will be included in this year’s event with a mixture of distances ranging from four to 26 mile walks.

All walks will start in Pateley Bridge Scout Hall and lead into Upper Nidderdale, with some going beyond into Lofthouse and Ramsgill.

For more information on how to take part and entry fees for the Nidderdale Charity Walk, visit the website here.

Ripon man to be sentenced for animal welfare offences

A Ripon man is to be sentenced next month after pleading guilty to a string of animal welfare offences.

Michael Andrew Hawkswell, 45, of Nunwick near Ripon, appeared at York Magistrates Court on Wednesday, accused of breaching the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which forbids him from keeping animals.

Hawkswell, who is disqualified from keeping or owning animals, has been charged with possessing 76 birds and five other offences.

They include buying and transporting two goats, possessing seven sheep in his trailer, possessing a duck, unloading poultry from a vehicle into sale pens at Highgate auctions in Rotherham and buying and selling poultry.

Hawkswell was remanded on unconditional bail pending a sentencing hearing on September 8.

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Another 73 covid cases reported in Harrogate district

The Harrogate district has recorded another 73 new covid cases in the last 24 hours, according to today’s Public Health England figures.

Meanwhile, the district’s seven-day covid rate has fallen to 260 cases per 100,000 people.

Elsewhere, the North Yorkshire rate stands at 254 and the England average is 262.

Harrogate District Hospital has not reported a covid-related death in nearly four months.

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

However, latest figures show that the hospital is treating eight covid patients.

Elsewhere, 123,191 people have received a first covid vaccine in the Harrogate district and 106,353 have had a second dose.

Council to award business case contract for £47m redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre

A potential £47 million redevelopment of Harrogate Convention Centre looks set to move another step closer with the awarding of a contract to assess the economic impacts of covid.

Trevor Watson, Harrogate Borough Council’s director of economy, environment and housing, will hold a meeting next Tuesday to approve the contract ,which will also involve work on a full business case and planning updates for the proposed project.

It follows a competitive tender process during which the council only received a single bid for the business planning works.

If approved, a decision would be made by the council on the business case in March 2022. The authority said this would fit with the timescales of the reorganisation of local councils in North Yorkshire.

The borough council will no longer exist by May 2023 as part of government plans to scrap the county council and seven districts and replace them with one super authority. It means it will no longer have control over the HCC.

The value of the contract and the bidder is not yet known – and will only be made public if it is agreed by both parties.

In a report to Tuesday’s meeting, Rebecca Micallef, economy and transport officer at the council, said the bidder’s proposals were “excellent overall” and that the business planning works would help form a final decision over whether the redevelopment should go ahead.

She said:

“The work will look in detail at the wider economic impact of the  redevelopment proposals on Harrogate, the district and beyond and help us to better understand the implications of covid on the industry and therefore the case for investment.

“Harrogate Convention Centre is a vital economic driver for the Harrogate district and wider region, providing a unique offer for the conference and exhibition market.

“The redevelopment of the venue offers the potential to deliver an exciting and major transformational project and is critical to the covid economic recovery plan for Harrogate district.”

After warning the 40-year-old convention centre may not survive without investment, the council awarded design firm Arcadis a £1 million contract earlier this year to produce design proposals.

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Can the events industry bounce back?

The venue was struggling financially before the pandemic hit and it was then used as an NHS Nightingale hospital for almost a year.

The 500-bed hospital did not treat a single coronavirus patient and after being dismantled in spring, several conference events have now made a return.

It was estimated before the pandemic that the convention centre attracted more than 150,000 visitors a year with an economic impact of £35 million. However, there are now questions over if the events industry can bounce back to pre-covid levels and what risks this could mean for the £47 million redevelopment.

There is also the question of how the project would be funded, with council leader Richard Cooper previously saying he hoped the government would provide cash to repay the “goodwill” of the convention centre’s use as the Nightingale hospital.

Economy and transport officer Rebecca Micallef also said in her report to Tuesday’s meeting that the development of the business case would play a “crucial part” in supporting bids for external funding.

Plans to rebuild the venue could involve three exhibition halls being demolished to make way for a new 5,000 sq m hall and a refurbished auditorium.

Around £20 million would be needed to complete a first phase of redevelopment, with another phase later.

If this is not done, a report previously estimated the venue’s maintenance costs over 20 years could reach £19 million.

Persimmon Homes ‘assessing options’ after 217 homes in Harrogate refused

Persimmon Homes has said it is considering its options after being refused a controversial 217-home development in Harrogate.

The developer had lodged plans for the new homes on land off Kingsley Drive.

However, councillors rejected the plan on Tuesday after Harrogate Borough Council officials said the development was “not considered acceptable”.

The land is earmarked for development in the Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines planned development in the district until 2035.

The Stray Ferret asked the developer what it intended to do with the proposal following the rejection.

A spokesperson for Persimmon Homes Yorkshire said the business was currently assessing all options but that it was too early to confirm anything yet.

Residents on Kingsley Drive said that they will keep an eye on the proposal after another developer, Richborough Estates, successfully appealed a decision to refuse 149-homes on nearby Kingsley Road in March.

Requests for delay

At the meeting on Tuesday, Paul Butler, agent for the developer, requested that councillors defer the application so that the council and Persimmon could work on the design and layout of the scheme.

Mr Butler said: 

“I want to make it absolutely clear that we very much want to work with the council and local residents.

“The site is allocated for housing and those further proposals and applications will always be forthcoming. The key from here is ensuring those details are right.

“When it comes to these details – specifically design, layout, highways and drainage matters – we have got the message loud and clear; we need to make improvements.”

However, council officers said the scheme had gone through “a number of versions” and it was still not acceptable.

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Concern was also raised that the development would result in more homes on the site than allocated in the Local Plan, if it had been approved.

Nigel Middlemass, the Conservative councillor for Harrogate Kingsley, told the committee that the development had not been thought through.

Councillors voted to unanimously refuse the application.

Residents on Kingsley Drive who objected to a 217 home plan next to their homes.

Residents on Kingsley Drive who objected to a 217 home plan in the area.

Residents remain vigilant

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

The number of developments has raised concern among residents that the area is overdeveloped and that the road infrastructure cannot cope with construction traffic.

However, following the refusal of Persimmon’s plan, locals said it was a “good result” for the Kingsley ward.

But, John Hansard, who lives in the area, told the Stray Ferret that residents would “remain vigilant” in case the proposal returns.

He said:

“It was a good result and I am pleased about that. It does give us a bit of breathing space.

“My only concern is that they [the developer] will appeal. I think that we need to look into that.

“I think we need to remain vigilant.”