Two North Yorkshire Council housing companies are estimating to report a profit by the end of this financial year.

Brierley Homes and Bracewell Homes are expected to post improved performance after completing further sales, according to a council financial report.

Both companies were taken over by North Yorkshire Council in April 2023.

Bracewell, which is a former Harrogate Borough Council firm, is forecasting a profit return of £1.52 million by the end of 2023/24.

A report said the company had seen sales of shared ownership properties and the “receipt of rental income on the proportion retained within the company”.

However, it added that Bracewell was still awaiting the completion of purchasing a further two sites.

It said:

“The main challenge for the Company relates to receiving accurate information from developers.

“Bracewell is due to complete on house purchases at two sites this financial year however neither developer has managed to achieve their initial forecast completion dates.”

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Meanwhile, Brierley Homes, which was set up by the former North Yorkshire County Council, is forecasting a profit of £959,000 by the end of the year.

The figure is based on the company completing sales at sites in Marton cum Grafton, Pateley Bridge and Great Ouseburn.

Meanwhile, the firm is expected to start work on another housing site in Kirby Malzeard this year.

It comes as the council reported a “positive outlook” for the company in March amid an increase in sales.

A new care home is set to open in Harrogate in January 2024.

Fairfax Manor, which will be based on Wetherby Road opposite Harrogate Town’s football stadium, will be operated by Staffordshire-based Lovett Care Ltd.

The 90-bed care home was built on the site of the former Tate House after being given planning permission back in April 2021.

The company said the home would be a “welcome addition” to Harrogate amid increasing demand for elderly care.

Gillian Allat, general manager at Fairfax Manor, said:

“I am thrilled to be joining a growing organisation. Fairfax Manor will be somewhere that our residents will be proud to call home.

“I am passionate about providing exceptional person centred care and looking forward to growing a team who share my values. If anyone is interested in living or working with us then please get in touch.”

Visual inside Fairfax Manor.

The new facility is set to offer ensuite rooms, 24-hour care and landscaped gardens.

It will also feature an orangery, coffee lounge, bar, cinema, beauty salon and private dining room for special family get togethers.

The move comes as Lovett Care Ltd agreed to acquire the home from Harrogate-based Angela Swifts Developments.

The firm also completed acquisitions for Eden Manor Care in Carlisle and another facility in St Helens.

Fairfax Manor will become the tenth home to be operated by the company.

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Police enquiries are ongoing into an attempted arson at a petrol station in Pateley Bridge.

The incident happened between 1.45am and 2.45am on Sunday, May 14, at the Dales Market Corner petrol station in the town.

Officers at North Yorkshire Police said two men walked onto the forecourt, placed a backpack in the area and set it alight. The backpack then self-extinguished.

The force has confirmed that enquiries into the incident remain ongoing.

It comes as two men were arrested in connection with the attempted arson following the incident.

Dales Market Corner petrol station in Pateley Bridge.

A 36-year-old man was arrested on May 14 on suspicion of arson and criminal damage. He was interviewed and later released on conditional bail.

A second man, 45, was arrested on June 5 in connection with the incident. He was bailed while enquiries continue.

Meanwhile, police have reiterated an appeal to the public to get in touch if they have any information or can identify the man in CCTV images issued by the force.

A police statement added:

“Anyone with any information that could assist the investigation is asked to email Jill.Cowling@northyorkshire.police.uk or you can call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Jill Cowling.

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

“Please quote reference number 12230086186 when passing on information.”

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A developer has appealed a council decision to refuse plans for 23 homes in Bishop Monkton.

Kebbell Development Ltd tabled a plan to build the houses on Knaresborough Road in the village.

At a meeting of the Skipon and Ripon area constituency planning committee in August, councillors rejected the plan amid concern it would increase the amount of raw sewage released on streets.

The decision went against North Yorkshire Council officers’ recommendations to approve the scheme.

One councillor said having more properties in the village could exacerbate the “abomination” of raw sewage being released into the streets during heavy rainfall.

The committee had also called for Yorkshire Water to provide more detail on how the scheme would impact on foul water drainage in the village.

No representative from the company appeared at the meeting.

But the company said “most, if not all” of the “sewage escapes” in the village were caused by residents putting excessive toilet paper, fat, oil and grease down toilets and sinks which caused pipes to block.

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The developer has now taken the decision to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which deals with planning disputes.

In a statement of case submitted to the inspector, Kebbell Development Ltd argued that there was no planning reason for the scheme to be refused.

It said:

“It is clear that the appeal proposals fully comply with the requirements of relevant policies contained within the development plan and there are no material considerations that indicate planning permission should not be granted.”

The developer added:

“The council have acted unreasonably in refusing planning permission.”

A government planning inspector will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

A road in Knaresborough is set to be closed for resurfacing next week.

North Yorkshire Council will carry out work on B6163 Briggate from Monday (October 16).

According to the council’s roadworks map, the road will be closed between 7.30am until 5.30pm everyday until November 1.

Advanced warning signs of the closure are also in place on the road.

The move comes as the road was recently hit by disruption after a wall collapsed.

The wall, which was painted by Knaresborough artist Joseph Baker Fountain last century, crashed on to the road on Thursday, September 14.

Two-way traffic lights were put in place as repairs were carried out.

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Two of the world’s best squash players paid a visit to a Harrogate sports club this week.

Harrogate Sports and Fitness Club, which is based at Hookstone Wood Road, played host to James Wilstrop and Mostafa Asal.

Willstrop, who lives in Harrogate, is a former world number one and a Commonwealth gold medalist, while Asal is currently ranked number four in the world and considered to be one of the most exciting players in the sport.

The club said:

“They were at the club practising for some upcoming squash tournaments, but had some spare time to chat with some of the Harrogate junior squash players and pose for a photo with them.”

Willstrop, who grew up in Pontefract but lives locally, won Commonwealth gold in 2018 and at last year’s games in Birmingham.

Meanwhile, Egyptian squash player Asal is considered to be one of the most exciting players in the sport due to his playing style and controversial on court behaviour.

Asal, who has 1.2 million Instagram followers, was handed a 12-week ban and £50,000 fine back in August.

The Professional Squash Association gave the 21-year-old the suspension after finding thee separate breaches of the PSA code of conduct, including abuse of racket or equipment and unsportsmanlike conduct in a match against Joel Makin in May this year.

The visit comes as the club’s premier squash team has just started its new season.

The team will pit itself against sides from Sheffield and York in the hope of winning the league championship. Home games are held every other Wednesday and are free entry at the Hookstone Wood Road centre.

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The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is a breakfast event on Thursday, October 26 at Banyan in Harrogate from 8am to 10 am. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate rental company has reported a “solid” first half year of financial results.

Beckwith Knowle-based VP said in a trading update this week that the firm had “continued to trade resiliently” amid a “backdrop of challenging macro-economic conditions”.

Its interim results for the period up to September 30 will be published on November 28.

Anna Bielby, Chief Executive of Vp, said:

“We have delivered a solid performance in the period and are confident that we will continue to achieve our objective of driving demand for our products and services.

“With our strong financial position, we have an excellent track record of successfully navigating volatility in our core markets.

“We continue to closely monitor the impact of weaker markets in housebuilding and general construction; however, we remain confident that the Group will continue to provide shareholders with an attractive level of returns.”

Masham company shortlisted for Yorkshire business awards

A Masham company has been chosen as a finalist at the Yorkshire and Humberside Business Awards.

W E Jameson & Son Ltd was shortlisted for both the agribusiness and wholesaler categories at this year’s ceremony.

Chris and Graham Jameson, directors at W E Jameson & Son Ltd.

This year’s event will be held at The Majestic Hotel in Harrogate on November 10.

Graham Jameson, managing director of the company, said:

“Our family business has been established for 93 years and we are delighted to have been shortlisted for these awards.

“Every member of the Jameson team should be very proud of their efforts in maintaining the family culture of the business, caring for and supporting work colleagues, the community in which we work and the family farming businesses we supply.”

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A former guest house in Harrogate could be converted into a house in multiple occupation.

Leeds-based Abbeycrown Ltd has tabled proposals to North Yorkshire Council to change the property at 6 Dragon Parade, which is known as Dragon House, into co-living accommodation.

In documents submitted the council, the developer said the guest house had seen a downturn in trade during the covid pandemic.

It added that, as a result, the property was “unviable as a guest house”.

The proposal would see the building converted into an eight-bedroom house of multiple occupation.

The developer said in its planning statement:

“The applicant is looking to address the need of high quality co-living facilities in the area to create rooms for professionals and public sector workers.”

It added that tenants would be “fully vetted and verified people” and would not have a detrimental impact on the surrounding area and neighbours.

A house in multiple occupation is a property rented out by at least three people who are not from the same household, but share facilities such as a kitchen and bathroom.

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

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The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is a breakfast event on Thursday, October 26 at Banyan in Harrogate from 8am to 10 am. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A London finance firm has completed the acquisition of a Harrogate vehicle leasing provider.

Newable has acquired Synergy Automative Limited, which trades as Synergy Car Leasing.

The company has purchased the outstanding equity in the Harrogate firm after acquiring an initial majority stake in 2020.

Set up in 2006, Synergy Car Leasing, which is based at Hornbeam Park Oval, offers personal and business hire cars.

Phil Reynolds, managing director of Newable Lending, said: 

“We are pleased to have completed this acquisition and are now looking forward to the next phase of growth for Synergy Car Leasing, building on an exceptional, customer-first track record built over the past 17 years.”

Inn Collection Group hires new finance officer

The Inn Collection Group, which operates the Harrogate Inn and Knaresborough Inn, has appointed a new chief financial officer.

Joe Bernhoeft has been hired to the position from global fashion brand Barbour.

He will be tasked with overseeing the company through further multi-million pound refurbishments and expansion across the north of England and Wales.

Sean Donkin, group CEO at The Inn Collection Group said: 

“We are very excited to welcome Joe as our new CFO in what is a very exciting time for the company.

“He is an incredibly experienced finance professional having worked for some significant blue-chip organisations, including one of the north east’s most recognisable, global brands.”

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A developer has submitted plans for a new 25 lodge holiday park near Knaresborough.

The proposal has been tabled by AMS Planning on behalf of Mr Duffield for land at Shortsill Lane at Coneythorpe, known as Spring Bank Farm.

It would see 25 holiday lodges built at the site, as well as a reception.

The proposed lodges would be built around two ponds, which the developer said would serve as a haven for wildlife and enhance “the character of the site”.

It added that the site would also help the local economy and increase accommodation in a rural area.

In a planning statement to North Yorkshire Council, the developer said:

“Spring Bank Farm provides a rare opportunity to introduce an employment generating use without detriment to the key characteristics of the districts picturesque countryside. 

“The subject proposal will help remediate the current dearth in the supply of rural outdoor accommodations.”

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

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