Government approves controversial Wetherby Road Starbucks

The government has approved a controversial Starbucks drive-thru on Wetherby Road in Harrogate.

Planning inspector Helen Hockenhull gave the go-ahead for the development after an appeal by the developer Euro Garages Ltd.

The move comes despite fierce opposition from local residents, who warned that traffic on the road was already at “breaking point” and that such a development would adversely affect those who live next door.

Residents were forced to defend Harrogate Borough Council’s own reasons for refusal at the appeal hearing in June after the authority withdrew its objection.

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Among the concerns were highways safety, air quality and living conditions for those in neighbouring properties.

But Ms Hockenhull said in a decision notice that was published today:

“I recognise that my findings will be disappointing to the local residents and ward councillor who gave evidence at the hearing. 

“However, based on the technical evidence before me and all that I have seen and heard, with the proposed mitigation measures secured by planning conditions, I am not persuaded that the development would cause significant harm.”

Retail firm Euro Garages has spent almost a decade trying to win permission to open the coffee shop at the former 1st Dental surgery on Wetherby Road, Harrogate, but has been refused three times by councillors and once by a government inspector.

The approval means the former dental surgery will be demolished to make way for a drive-thru coffee shop with 19 car parking spaces. This would then be handed over to Starbucks to operate.

The Stray Ferret has approached Euro Garages for comment.

Harrogate companies pay tribute to Captain Tom

Two Harrogate district companies have paid tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore at a newly unveiled memorial.

Horticultural services provider Ray Skelton (Harrogate) and Johnsons of Whixley, a nursery, both sponsored the walkway, which was opened at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate this month.

Captain Sir Tom’s daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore, her husband and children, visited the college on Pennypot Lane to cut a ribbon and unveil a plaque that includes details of his life.

Ray Skelton (Harrogate) commissioned Kris Elvidge, a local stone mason, to engrave the stones that can be found at the front and back of the college headquarters.

Meanwhile, Johnsons donated two Magnolia ‘Double Diamond’ 200-250 110L trees and 50 Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle’ worth a total of £765 to the memorial.

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Stuart Skelton, director of Ray Skelton (Harrogate), said: 

“It has been an honour and a privilege to be involved in the Capt Sir Tom Moore Memorial. Hopefully, this will continue to inspire future generations of junior soldiers”

Eleanor Richardson, Johnsons of Whixley’s marketing manager, said: 

“We were delighted to be part of this fitting tribute to Capt Sir Tom Moore, who was a true inspiration. 

“The donation is particularly fitting as the magnolia is native to Asia, where he served during World War Two.”

Captain Sir Tom was made an honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate last year.

He later visited the college to speak to junior soldiers and was invited back for their graduation in September.

He raised almost £33m for NHS Charities Together by walking lengths of his garden in Bedfordshire, hitting the headlines in the process. He died aged 100 in February this year.

Harrogate and Ripon dance academies to perform at British Grand Prix

Three Harrogate district dance academies are set to perform at this weekend’s British Grand Prix.

Summerbell Dance Academy from Starbeck will dance before Saturday’s qualifying race at Silverstone.

The group were asked to join dancers from Upstage Academy, Ripon, and E.K Galaxy Cheer and Dance, also from Harrogate, to perform at the race.

The 50-strong team, who range from 12-years-old to 18-years-old, will join multiple academies from across the country.

Jennie Summerbell, principal of Summerbell Dance Academy, said the group had waited all year for the event after it was postponed due to covid last year.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“We are really excited.

“We were meant to be there last year, so it has been a long time coming.”

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The dance event is organised by Pro-Excel, an events company which organises performances for sporting occasions.

The routine will include 1,500 dancers and all will perform the same choreography.

A mixture of boys and girls will be heading to Silverstone from the Harrogate district academies.

Athletes and gymnasts are also set to take part ahead of the race.

This weekend’s British Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Channel 4 and is expected to see 140,000 fans in attendance.

GALLERY: A right royal day at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show

Prince Charles and Camilla joined the sell-out crowd at the Great Yorkshire Show today.

The royal couple arrived at lunchtime on day three and were greeted by hundreds of visitors at the gate.

Charles spent time inspecting sheep, while the Duchess of Cornwall visited the children’s discovery zone.

Both also took time out to speak with the many visitors and exhibitors at this year’s event.

Here are some photo highlights of Harrogate’s royal day.

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Prince Charles and Camilla at GYS

Another 127 covid cases in Harrogate district — but no more deaths

Another 127 cases of covid have been reported in the Harrogate district.

However, no covid-related deaths have been recorded at Harrogate District Hospital in more than three months and the hospital is only treating five patients with the virus.

The district’s seven-day covid rate now stands at 416 cases per 100,000. The North Yorkshire average is 394 and the England rate is 376.

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A total of 219,997. vaccinations have been given in the district, according to Public Health England statistics.

The number includes 121,112 people receiving a first dose and 98,865 second doses.

Prince Charles arrives at Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Show

Prince Charles paid a surprise visit to the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate today.

The Prince of Wales, accompanied by his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, wowed onlookers when they arrived shortly before 12.30pm on day three of the sell-out event.

There have been several visits to the show by senior royals in recent years. In 2008 the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh met exhibitors and inspected livestock.

Princess Anne visited in 2018 and Prince Andrew attended the following year. Prince Charles’ last appearance at the show was in 2011.

The Queen and Prince Philip at the Great Yorkshire Show in 2008.

Charles is no stranger to Harrogate. He and Camilla opened the 50th Harrogate International Festivals in 2016 and in 2008 he reopened the Royal Hall in Harrogate after its £8 million restoration.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society, which runs the show, has extended it for four days this year to improve social distancing.

All 26,000 tickets each day have been sold.

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18-carat gold ring stolen from Harrogate home

Police are investigating a burglary in which an 18-carat gold, sapphire, emerald and diamond ring along with World War Two medals were stolen from a Harrogate home.

North Yorkshire Police said the valuables, as well as a silver hip flask, a gold locket and silver fern earrings were taken from a house on Woodlands Drive on May 29 this year.

Almost two months on, it is now appealing to the public to come forward if they have been offered the ring for sale.

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Officers are also appealing for information on a man seen leaving the house.

A police statement said:

“Officers also want to trace a man seen leaving the house who is described as young, white, approximately 5ft 7in and wearing a high-visibility jacket with a grey hood.

“Anyone who has information about the ring or has any other information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police by email 000740@northyorkshire.police.uk

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12210127985.”

Public inquiry could delay £60m Kex Gill scheme by 15 months

A major project to realign the A59 near Kex Gill could be delayed by 15 months if a public inquiry is called.

The £60 million North Yorkshire County Council scheme will see a section of new road built between Harrogate and Skipton to divert traffic away from the landslip-prone part of the route.

This current road has a history of unsafe driving conditions and delayed journeys, as well as high maintenance costs.

Work on the project could start as early as this autumn. Earlier this year, the government declined to have a final say on the scheme, clearing the way for it to begin.

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However, Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access, has said the project could face delays if objections are lodged against the compulsory purchase orders required for the scheme.

In a statement expected to be made to a full council meeting next week, he will say:

“The compulsory purchase and side roads orders have been published with a formal consultation period until the end of August. 

“The project programme without a public inquiry indicates that construction could start this autumn. On the other hand, if a public inquiry is required, the start of works could be delayed by up to 15 months.”

Construction work on the project is expected to take 18 months.

The government has committed up to £56 million in funding for the Kex Gill project, with the county council covering the remainder of the cost.

More than half-a-million pounds is also to be given to Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for environmental and tree planting project in an effort to offset “irreversible damage” of the project.

Harrogate district records 119 daily covid cases

The Harrogate district has recorded 119 daily covid cases, according to today’s Public Health England figures.

The number is the highest number since January 11 when 138 infections were reported.

It takes the total number of cases since last March to 9,711.

Meanwhile, the number of covid patients in Harrogate District Hospital has increased to five.

However, no covid-related deaths have been recorded at the hospital in three months.

Elsewhere, the district’s seven-day covid rate stands at 402 cases per 100,000. The North Yorkshire average is 372 and the England rate is 357.

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A total of 219,249. vaccinations have been given in the district, according to Public Health England statistics.

The number includes 120,473 people receiving a first dose and 98,776 second doses.

The figures come as health bosses in North Yorkshire announced that new walk-in clinics will be introduced in the district this weekend.

Walk-in covid vaccination clinics with no bookings required will take place on July 17 in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Pateley Bridge.

Meanwhile, Ripon Racecourse vaccination site is set to close down next month.

The centre was set up back in February in an effort to increase vaccination capacity in the Harrogate district.

The site is still open for second doses until the end of this month, but is expected to close in August.

Union criticises Harrogate district MPs for backing compulsory vaccines

The trade union Unison has criticised MPs in the Harrogate district for voting in favour of compulsory vaccinations for care home staff.

MPs voted through plans to make it mandatory for staff who work in a Care Quality Commission-registered care home to have two jabs of a covid vaccine unless they have a medical exemption.

It will become law from October after the House of Commons last night approved the regulation by 319 votes to 246.

The district’s three Conservative MPs, Andrew Jones, Julian Smith and Nigel Adams all voted in favour of the move.

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But the North Yorkshire branch of Unison tweeted:

“Concerning that Conservative MPs in our area voted to allow the state to mandate vaccination.

“We encourage all our members to get vaccinated, but making it law is not the way a liberal democracy should operate.”

Concerning that Conservative MPs in our area voted to allow the state to mandate #vaccination. We encouragr all our members to #GetVaccinated but making it the law is not the way a liberal democracy should operate. @nadams @AJonesMP @kevinhollinrake @RishiSunak @JulianSmithUK https://t.co/usBHo7oKvj

— North Yorkshire UNISON (@NYUnison) July 13, 2021

Unison was responding to a tweet by Rachael Maskell, the Labour MP for York Central, saying care staff “need respect” and she objected to mandatory vaccines.

She said:

“This authoritarian state is encroaching on human rights of others. What next?”

Some rebel Tory MPs said the government should have published an impact assessment before the vote, which ministers said was “being worked on”.

William Wragg, Conservative MP, said he was “in despair” and that the government was “treating this House with contempt”.

Care minister Helen Whately said managers could discuss the vaccine with staff or look at alternative roles for those who did not want to be vaccinated.

The Stray Ferret approached all three of the Harrogate district MPs for comment, but received no response.