Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

Fresh plan to convert pub near Pateley Bridge into a cottage

Fresh plans have been lodged to convert a 110-year-old former pub near Pateley Bridge into a cottage.

The Birch Tree, at Lupton Bank in Glasshouses, closed its doors back in March 2020 due to the covid pandemic.

Since then, the former pub has been subject to numerous planning applications to convert it into a cottage.

However, the plans were refused by Harrogate Borough Council planners on the grounds that the loss of the pub “was not justified”.

Latest proposals tabled to North Yorkshire Council would see the empty public house changed into a two-bedroom cottage.

The site has already seen three cottages built under a previous planning permission, with the pub reduced in size.

In planning documents for the fresh proposal, which was submitted by Yarntex Two Limited, the developer said the building had been put on the market without success.

It said:

“Sadly, there appears to be no viable future for the pub and provision of a further holiday cottage to supplement and enhance the others is surely the best option for the building, while still promoting local tourism and employers and making a positive contribution to the local economy.”

The developer added that the site had been marketed extensively without success by both Christie and Co and Hopkinsons Estate Agents.

It said that “no local interest or expressions of interest from further afield have been forthcoming”.

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the latest plan at a later date.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate consultancy firm hires new associate directors

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A Harrogate consultancy firm has announce two new appointments as part of growth at the company.

Harlow Consulting, which is based at Cardale Park, has hired James Legard and Carolyn Black as associate directors.

Mr Legard has joined the firm from Purcell Architecture, while Ms Black has been appointed from the public sector in Scotland.

Jennifer Brennan, director at Harlow, said:

“We are delighted that two such strong candidates have chosen to join our growing team. James is adept at interpreting complex information to produce clear, actionable recommendations. He’s also particularly skilled in the fields of construction and heritage, which are important and growing research areas for us.

“Carolyn is a great fit for us, in terms of both her experience and values. Her diverse and expert skill set in social research will greatly strengthen our ability to deliver for our Scottish clients.

“Her understanding of the needs of the public and third sectors will be especially valuable in forwarding our mission to undertake projects with positive social impacts.”

Harrogate chamber event to focus on carbon emissions

Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce is set to hold its next meeting on November 13.

The event will focus on the way in which businesses can reduce their carbon footprint.

Zero Carbon Harrogate will introduce practical steps that businesses can take to tackle carbon emissions, including what resources and support are available.

The event will be held at Harrogate College from 5.30pm. More information is available on the EventBrite page.

Developer wins appeal over Nidderdale solar panels ‘visual harm’ claim

The government has approved plans for the installation of 30 solar panels at a farm in Nidderdale despite “visual harm” concerns.

John Adams submitted the proposal for Gillbeck Farm on Peat Lane at Bewerley to Harrogate Borough Council in September 2022.

It would see 30 panels installed in order to “maximise the use of renewable energy sources”.

However, the authority rejected the proposal on the grounds that it would cause “visual harm and have a negative impact on the landscape and the character of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”.

It added:

“The solar panels will dominate the landscape and become a very prominent feature within it, in a negative and unacceptable manner.”

Mr Adams, who owns the farm, took the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which deals with planning appeals.

He argued that the land would not be not visible to passers by and that Peat Lane was “infrequently” used by cars, walkers and cyclists.

Now, Elaine Gray, a government planning inspector, has approved the plan.

In a decision notice, she said the “substantial benefits” of renewable energy would outweigh the limited harm caused to the the character of the area.

Ms Gray said:

“I have identified some adverse impact to the landscape and scenic beauty of the ANOB, to which I attach great weight. However, the scope of this harm would at worst be minor and localised.

“In addition, I am mindful that this harmful impact would be easily reversible. I have not been made aware of any other existing or consented solar developments in the area and saw none on my site visit.

“As such, no harmful cumulative effect in the wider area would result from the proposal.”

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP submits River Nidd bathing water status bid

A bid to designate the River Nidd at Knaresborough bathing water status has been submitted to ministers.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, Andrew Jones, handed the proposal to Rebecca Pow, minister for rivers.

If designation is successful, government agencies would be obliged to take action to improve water quality at Knaresborough Lido. This would also improve water quality on a much wider stretch of the river.

The campaign to designate part of the Nidd with bathing water status comes after reports of numerous bathers falling ill last summer.

The bid has been backed by 33 organisations and businesses, such as Knaresborough Town Council, North Yorkshire Council, Yorkshire Agricultural Society and Bilton Conservation Group.

Mr Jones also worked with the Nidd Action Group, which carried out regular water testing on the River Nidd.

He said:

“This is an impressive array of local support.

“From riverside businesses to farmers, from councils to water users, from environmental groups to nearby residents the campaign has seen an unprecedented level of backing.

“All those people and organisations speaking with one voice is an incredibly powerful endorsement of the bid and I made that point to the minister when I handed her the bid.”

Ministers and officials at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will now consider the bid and a result is expected by April 30, 2024.

Four-way lights on Harrogate’s Penny Pot Lane to last for two-weeks

Four-way traffic lights on Penny Pot Lane in Harrogate are set to remain in place for two weeks.

Northern Gas Networks put the lights in place today near to the Jubilee roundabout as part of gas works in the area.

It has caused lengthy delays for traffic heading in and around Harrogate today.

The works are part of a mains replacement project that has been completed in phases since earlier this year, and planned in collaboration with North Yorkshire Council.

It involves replacing the old metallic mains with new plastic pipe to ensure gas supply to the area of Harrogate.

Dave Smales, site manager at Northern Gas Networks, said:

“We introduced the four-way temporary lights today in order to protect our engineers due to the depth and location of the main under the road.

“Its location near the roundabout meant that instead of being able to work in the verge, we required a deep excavation with fencing protection in the carriageway.

“The lights will stay in position for two weeks and will then be removed before work moves to the other side of the roundabout.

“We don’t currently expect that section to require traffic management for us to complete, however we will have to assess the depth of the main once we’ve dug down.

“We’d like to apologise to customers and road users for any inconvenience experienced during these works, however they are essential to maintaining a safe and reliable gas supply to this part of the town.

“We’re working as safely and quickly as we can to complete this project as soon as possible.”

Met Office issues another heavy rain warning for Harrogate district

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rain in the Harrogate district for two days this week.

The weather alert is in place from Thursday (November 2) at 6am until Friday (November 3) at 6am.

It comes as Storm Ciarán is forecast to bring heavy rain to the UK this week.

The Met Office said the rain could cause disruption in the north of England, including flooding and delays and cancellations to public transport.

The warning comes as the district was hit by heavy rain on October 20 due to Storm Babet.

A further weather alert was issued for October 24 for heavy rain in the wake of the storm.

Ripon’s hornblower to ‘call the watch’ in London for first time

Ripon’s hornblower is set to “call the watch” in London for the first time in its 1,000 year history.

The special dispensation, agreed by Ripon City Council, will see the hornblower make the call over the River Thames on November 6.

It will come as part of the World Travel Market, which is being held at the Excel London from November 6 to November 8.

As part of this, North Yorkshire Council, together with Visit York, Visit Leeds and Herriot Country Tourism, will be jointly hosting a special event on board City Cruises’ flagship vessel Erasmus.

Gemma Rio, head of tourism at North Yorkshire Council, said:

“We are on a mission, along with partners across the region, to broadcast the message to the global travel industry, to look, and book, ‘up north’.

“The 1,137 year old nightly ritual of the Ripon hornblower, which legendarily began in 886AD to warn locals that the Vikings – or Northmen – were coming seems a fitting tribute.

“In the cathedral city of just 19,000 inhabitants, a horn has been blown from every corner of the marketplace at 9pm every night, without exception for over a thousand years – and still is.

“The Ripon hornblower, a long-held and uninterrupted tradition epitomises the kind of authentic experience still to be found in towns and cities across the county, which set us apart on the world stage.”

Alison Clark

Alison Clark, who became Ripon’s first female hornblower in 2017, will be among those travelling to London.

She said:

“Along with my three hornblower colleagues, I must have one of the longest-standing, unaltered job descriptions in the world.

“I never imagined when I took the role that I would be on the Thames next to the Tower of London announcing that North Yorkshire is ‘at large’ in London.”

North Yorkshire will be represented at the World Travel Market by North Yorkshire Council, Herriot Country Tourism and Visit York as part of the UK Inbound stand.

Plan approved to convert Knaresborough mill into banking hub

A plan has been approved to convert part of a grade-II listed former Knaresborough mill into a banking hub.

Cash Access UK submitted the proposal to North Yorkshire Council for the building on Kirkgate in the town.

The mill was built in the 18th century and was most recently used as a tile showroom.

It will see the ground floor of the former mill converted into a banking hub, which will offer a counter service operated by the Post Office where customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out regular cash transactions.

It will also provide a community banker service where customers can talk to their own banking provider about more complicated issues, from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

The company identified the former mill as its site for the banking hub in June.

At the time, Gareth Oakley, chief executive at Cash Access UK, said:

“We know the new banking hub has been eagerly anticipated by the local community and so we’re delighted we’ve now been able to secure a fantastic location for you in the heart of the community.

“This brings us a significant step closer in being able to deliver improved access to cash services to individuals and businesses in Knaresborough.”

MPs Watch: HS2, Yorkshire Water and maiden speeches

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In October, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the northern leg of HS2 would be scrapped and Yorkshire Water unveiled a £7.8 billion investment plan.

Meanwhile, Keir Mather, Selby and Ainsty MP which includes south Harrogate, made his maiden speech in the House of Commons.

We Selby and Ainsty MP Keir Mather if they would like to highlight anything in particular, but did not receive a response.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

On October 3, Mr Jones welcomed a £7.8 billion investment plan being submitted by Yorkshire Water.
On October 4, Mr Jones attended the Conservative Party conference and was present for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s speech.
Following the speech, Mr Jones said he was “disappointed” with the decision to scrap the northern leg of the HS2 project.
On October 5, he met with the owners of the former McColls store in Starbeck who are expected to unveil plans for the building this year.
On the same day, Mr Jones attended the opening of the Rachel Daly pitch at Killinghall Nomads JFC.
On October 18, Mr Jones called for a 138-home development on Water Lane in Knaresborough to be cancelled. He also raised the issue in the House of Commons on October 16.
On October 19, he hosted the Street Works UK awards in Parliament.
Mr Jones announced on the same day that he would be objecting to a planned asphalt plan at Allerton Park near Knaresborough.
On October 21, he visited Harrogate synagogue to discuss events in Israel and Gaza.
On October 28, he met with the Harrogate Imam to discuss events in Isreal and Gaza.

When we contacted Mr Jones for comment, his office sent a list of his engagements for September.

They included attending a roundtable with the British Dental Association and a Northern Powerhouse Partnership Transport Reception. He also with members of Zero Carbon Harrogate and met a local dentist to discuss NHS dentistry.

Others included visiting Yorkshire Cancer Research’s new facility at Hornbeam Park, chairing a meeting of the European Statutory Instruments Committee and meeting leaders from Luminate Education Group at a reception in the House of Commons.

Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

Mr Smith made no spoken contributions in the House of Commons in October.
On October 11, Mr Smith tweeted that he had met residents and North Yorkshire Council to discuss recent deaths on the A61 at South Stainley and to campaign for a lower speed limit.
On October 16, Mr Smith visited the Ripon Inn ahead of its opening.
Mr Smith posted on his website on October 22 that he had visited Sharow Church of England Primary School to meet with its headteacher and answer questions from pupils.
Mr Smith updated his website 11 times in October, which included posts promoting government initiatives and visits within his constituency.

When we contacted Mr Smith’s for comment, his office sent a roundup of his engagements for October.

Among them included visiting local schools and businesses in Skipton and Ripon, including Cundall Manor School.

Meanwhile, he also visited The Beer Engine in Skipton and met with Bentham resident, Viv Barclay, who will attempt to become the oldest woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Keir Mather, Selby and Ainsty MP.

In Selby and Ainsty, which includes rural south Harrogate, here is what we found on Mr Mather:

Mr Mather posted 11 times on his Facebook page in October. None of the updates related to areas of his constituency which fall in Harrogate.
On October 16, Mr Mather made his maiden speech in the House of Commons.
On October 23, Mr Mather asked the minister for environment, Rebecca Pow, how she would be working with the Environment Agency to support people during Storm Babet.
He joined a debate on the sustainability of rural post offices in Westminster Hall on October 25.

Trespass recruiting staff for new Ripon store

Outdoor clothing company Trespass looks set to open in Ripon after advertising for new staff online.

The firm has advertised for a store manager on the Indeed recruitment website.

Trespass is expected to move into the former Barclays building in Market Place East in the city.

A sign is in place at the former bank which states that the store is “coming soon” and is hiring.

Meanwhile, Jacob and Turner Ltd, which trades under the name Trespass, applied to North Yorkshire Council for advertising consent at the site in September.

It would see two signs implemented at the former bank.

The Stray Ferret has approached Trespass to ask if it had an opening date for its new store and how many staff it was looking to hire.

However, we did not receive a response by the time of publication.

The outdoor clothing specialist currently has a store on Harrogate’s James Street.

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