Calvin Robinson Chief Reporter, Author at The Stray Ferret

Nine Harrogate homes included in £9.2 million housing scheme

Nine new homes are set to be built in Harrogate and Boroughbridge as part of a £9.2 million housing fund.

The move comes as part of a York and North Yorkshire brownfield housing fund, which was approved this month.

The money will see 700 new homes built across the county, including 252 affordable homes.

A total of nine projects have been agreed, which will see developments built in Catterick, York, Easingwold, Harrogate and Boroughbridge.

Funding was agreed, subject to further due diligence, at a meeting of the York and North Yorkshire Joint Devolution Committee.

If progressed, the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority will administer the fund. Investment has been secured from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council, said:

“North Yorkshire is one of the most desirable places to live in the country, but with that comes a massive demand for housing, especially for more affordable homes.

“We want people to be able to continue to live in the communities where they grew up, while also allowing others to move to the county to help to bring in the skills and experience which are needed to boost the economy.

“This is a significant moment for both York and North Yorkshire to see more than £9 million being used to fund hundreds of new properties, especially with more than a third of them being affordable homes.”

MPs Watch: New leisure centres, New Year’s Honours and spiking

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 December, Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre became the latest leisure facility to open its doors in the Harrogate district.

Meanwhile, the New Year’s Honours list was revealed and the government unveiled plans to tackle spiking across the UK.

We asked Keir Mather, Selby and Ainsty MP, if he 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 December 11, he visited the newly opened Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre.
On December 12, Mr Jones accused Liberal Democrats of covertly following him after his car was photographed in Harrogate without valid MOT.
On December 15, Mr Jones visited Harrogate business Techbuyer to sign an IT Repairs and Reuse declaration. He also received a tour of the company.
Mr Jones spoke in the House of Commons on December 18 to welcome to government’s plan to tackle spiking in the UK.
Mr Jones welcomed the arrival of the Winter Fuel Payments and Pensioner Cost of Living Payments for pensioner households worth up to £600 on December 28.

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

They included attending Vida Court care home to turn on their Christmas lights, meeting with with senior leadership at North Yorkshire Council to discuss SEND funding and welcoming students from Ashville College to Parliament.

Others included visiting Hampsthwaite Church of England Primary School to present the winner of his Christmas card winner with their framed entry and certificate and participating in an episode of BBC Politics North in Leeds.

Mr Jones also attended a Christmas candlelight vigil at Stonefall cemetery in Harrogate and met with Cancer Research UK to discuss the Government’s smokefree generations pledge.

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 December.
Mr Smith updated his website 13 times in December, which included posts promoting government initiatives and visits within his constituency.
On December 30, he congratulated Mary Fisher, lollipop lady at Darley and Summerbridge Community Primary School, for her New Year’s Honour British Empire Medal.
He posted 20 times on his X account, promoting various government funding initiatives and visits to local businesses in Skipton and Ripon.

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

Among them included attending the Skipton and Ripon Area Constiuency Committee, visiting Fisher Medical Centre and Skipton Job Centre to learn more about how they were supporting the community.

Mr Smith also met Simon Theakston, managing director of Theakston Brewery in Masham, to discuss the chancellor’s autumn statement and visited Moorside Primary School to speak to pupils from years 5 and 6 about his role as an MP.

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 12 times on his Facebook page in December. None of the updates related to areas of his constituency which fall in Harrogate.
He posted seven times on his X account, none of the updates related to areas of his constituency which fall in Harrogate.
On December 6, he spoke in the House of Commons on a debate on conversion practices for LGBT people. He called on the government to ban conversion therapy in the UK.

American diner in Harrogate closed after enforcement notices issued

An American themed diner in Harrogate appears to have closed after enforcement notices were placed in its windows.

The Fabulous 50s Diner on Bower Road opened two years ago on the site of the former Cafe Rita.

Enforcement notices issued by Wilson & Roe High Court Enforcement have been put in the window of the diner which state that authorised agents on behalf of the landlord have “re-entered the land”.

It adds:

“Any attempt by you or your agents to enter these premises will result in criminal or civil proceedings being taken against you.”

The notices go on to add that, under Section 12(3) of the Torts Act 1977, any third party which asserts ownership to goods in 15a Bower Street has until 5pm on January 5 to collect them.

Meanwhile, the diner’s Facebook page has not posted since November 27 and its Instagram page appears to have been removed.

Enforcement notices at the diner.

The move comes as the Stray Ferret reported in August that the owners of the diner, The Hub Caffe Ltd, had appointed liquidators and applied to be wound up.

An announcement on official public record website The Gazette said Richard Hunt of SFP Restructuring Limited in London had been appointed liquidator on July 21.

The Gazette also reported a general meeting of the company on the same date resolved to voluntarily wind-up the business.

The announcement, dated July 27, was authorised by director Wagdy Mansour.

Following the report by the Stray Ferret, a post on the diner’s Facebook page said the restaurant had not closed.

It added:

“The Fabulous 50’s Diner is not closing we have just changed owners.

“The restaurant is open and will continue to offer the same menus, music, and pizza. We would like you to read carefully, only Mr. Wagdy’s two companies have gone into liquidation. The Fabulous 50’s Diner now belongs to new owner MO DINER LTD.

“We are waiting for you to come visit the restaurant. We will continue what Mr. Wagdy and his wife started by keeping the memory of you as the initiators of this restaurant.”

Looking ahead: Major projects in the Harrogate district in 2024

The past 12 months have seen major decisions made on development across the Harrogate district.

However, there are some schemes which remain uncertain and 2024 may hold the answer as to whether they progress or continue to stall.

Maltkiln

The last 12 months have been a whirlwind for the new settlement project which promises up to 3,000 near Green Hammerton and Cattal.

However, in January, news broke that a landowner had pulled out of the project threatening the scheme’s existence.

The landowner owns fields around Cattal train station, making up around half of the proposed site.

Now, North Yorkshire Council, which took over responsibility for the major housing scheme in April, has threatened to compulsory purchase land as a “last resort” so the 4,000-home Maltkiln settlement can be built.

Whether the authority follows through on that pledge is a development to keep an eye out for in 2024.

Harrogate Convention Centre

Perhaps one of the biggest question going into the new year is what will happen to the long promised Harrogate Convention Centre redevelopment?

North Yorkshire Council inherited a £49 million refurbishment scheme for the convention centre on Kings Road from the now defunct Harrogate Borough Council in April.

However, it has yet to decide whether to progress with the project.

Harrogate Convention Centre.

A contractor has been appointed to draw up more detailed plans for the redevelopment and a final decision was expected this year.

The convention centre opened in 1982 with conferences providing a boost to the town’s bars, restaurants and hotels, however, it has struggled to turned a profit.

The council failed in bids to the government’s Levelling Up Fund for £20 million to help pay for the project – the latest of which was turned down in November.

A previous bid, which was rejected in January, received feedback from ministers stating that it lacked evidence and rationale and may have over-stated the economic benefits.

Government feedback on the bid, released following a freedom of information request by the Stray Ferret, revealed several areas of concerns with the bid.

This is despite the fact the council, which was abolished at the end of March, paid consultants £45,000 as part of its submission to ministers.

The whole saga leaves the future of the convention centre and its refurbishment uncertain and a decision on it being pushed into another year.

Ripon’s Clotherholme development

One of the last acts of Harrogate Borough Council before it was scrapped in April 2023 was to approve a major 1,300 housing scheme on a former Ripon barracks site.

Homes England, which has been developing the plans for several years alongside the Ministry of Defence, has earmarked the Clotherholme site for new homes and facilities.

It was approved in February 2023, just over a month before the council was scrapped.

Since then, a total of £10 million has been budgeted to cover items in a Section 106 agreement for the project.

The money will fund a number of areas, including off-site highway adjustments and contributions towards primary and secondary education provision and primary healthcare.

Now, residents in Ripon and the wider district await for the news that spades will hit the ground.

Kirby Hill services

The 25-year saga which is Kirby Hill took another turn in 2023.

Dublin-based company Applegreen, which wants to build a motorway service station near the village, tabled final plans for the project.

The proposals were approved in September – however, campaigners threatened to take the decision to a judicial review.

Designs for the service station near Kirby Hill, as proposed by Applegreen.

Applegreen, which is based in Dublin, applied for amendments to the proposal, including an extension to the length of the slip roads and increasing the permissible height of the eastern dumbbell roundabout by up to 1.25 metres.

But, Gareth Owens, chair of the Kirby Hill RAMS, said the move amounted to “significant change” to the scheme and confirmed the campaign group would challenge the approval.

It seems the saga which has been a quarter of a century in the making may yet go on for another year.

Looking ahead: A new mayor and combined authority for North Yorkshire

From a new mayor to another layer of governance, the next year is set to bring a wave of political change in North Yorkshire.

Much like in neighbouring Tees Valley, the county is set to get its first metro mayor.

While for some the prospect of another elected politician will raise eyebrows, the role will come with significant powers.

From bus franchising to police and crime commissioner powers, the mayor will wield some influence in the county.

The race to secure the role has already started.

Three political parties – the Conservatives, Labour and Greens – have already unveiled their candidates for the election in May 2024.

Keane Duncan, who currently holds a senior position on North Yorkshire Council’s executive, will fight the contest for the Tories, while Kevin Foster and David Skaith will stand for the Greens and Labour. Keith Tordoff, a businessman from Pateley Bridge, will stand as an independent.

The whole prospect signals a shift in how politics will be carried out in the county beyond jostling for control of North Yorkshire Council and individual parliamentary constituencies.

A new layer of governance

Aside from a new political position, a new layer of governance is also set to be created.

As part of the devolution deal which was announced in August 2022, a combined authority will be set up for North Yorkshire and York.

The move will be historic for the county as it joins Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire and Tees Valley in setting up such an authority.

The combined authority, which will be overseen by the directly elected mayor, is expected to have powers to make decisions on matters such as economic development and transport.

At the moment, talk of the authority appears to be couched in intangible and esoteric concepts such as “gainshare”.

But, for Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire Council, the new organisation will show “tangible benefits” for residents across the county.

He said:

“The prospect of bringing more decision-making powers and millions of pounds in additional funding from the government will bring real and tangible benefits for hundreds of thousands of people in York and North Yorkshire.”

Its formation will be overseen by Harrogate-born James Farrar as chief operating officer in its transition year.

The new authority could be launched in January amid delays with the parliamentary process.

Regardless, its formation, along with the directly elected mayor, are set to represent a shift in how politics is carried out across North Yorkshire.

No 4: New council, new agenda

In this article, which is part of a series on the 12 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2023, we look at the formation of North Yorkshire Council and its new agenda.

The past 12 months have seen a seismic change in how the Harrogate district is governed.

In April, we said goodbye to Harrogate Borough Council as it was swept aside to make way for the new North Yorkshire Council.

Along the way, many of the local senior politicians also left. Borough council leader, Richard Cooper, stepped away from politics and Graham Swift failed in a bid to represent his Duchy division.

Instead, the last eight months have seen a shift in both how the district is governed and who calls the shots.

The new council has wasted little time in imposing its vision on the county.

Recently, it announced a new shake-up of leisure services – the second time in three years for facilities in the Harrogate area.

Planning decisions have also been divided up into constituency areas.

Although, if you ask some councillors in Harrogate, they’ll point out that there hasn’t been any decisions to make since September.

It has also introduced a new taxi licensing policy, scrapping the previous seven district zones in favour of one county-wide zone.

However, some areas remain the same.

Residents, campaigners and the council remain at loggerheads over the £11.2 million Station Gateway scheme.

The scheme has been rolled back, but remains in limbo.

The major housing project known as Maltkiln has not progressed since the borough council was abolished, partly due to landowners withdrawing land.

Devolution on the horizon

Meanwhile, the change in the political landscape is expected to change further.

A combined authority for York and North Yorkshire is expected to come into force in the new year as part of a devolution deal for the county.

There is also an election on the horizon for a Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, which will be held in May.

Some may argue that, when it comes to the new council, the new boss is the same as the old boss.

But, whatever the perception of the new authority, the governance of the district has changed in 2023.

No 5: A stunning year for Harrogate’s Rachel Daly

In this article, which is part of a series on the 12 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2023, we look at Harrogate football star Rachel Daly and her achievements throughout the year.

Harrogate’s Rachel Daly had a year to remember.

From a World Cup final to being ranked 10th best player in the world, the former Killinghall Nomads star had a year of highlights.

The former Rossett School pupil Daly was top scorer in the Women’s Super League last season and named PFA Players’ Player of the Year.

She also featured in the World Cup final, where the Lionesses came close to making history but fell to a 1-0 defeat by Spain.

Rachel Daly at Rossett School next to her new pitch.

Rachel Daly at Rossett School next to her pitch.

Her achievements were enough to be recognised at her former school, which named a pitch in her honour.

However, while her astonishing achievements this year were enough for her former clubs and school, a move to get her more widely honoured proved difficult.

Rachel’s first club — Killinghall Nomads Junior Football Club — launched a petition this year in conjunction with the Stray Ferret calling on North Yorkshire Council to officially recognise their former player.

The council has done nothing to mark Rachel’s achievements, which include winning Euro 2022, playing in the World Cup final and winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award this year.

John Plummer, Stray Ferret editor, introduced the petition at a meeting in November where he said it was “to wake up and realise Rachel Daly is a local superstar who should be celebrated”.

He added that it was “inconceivable that the council would not be falling over backwards to honour, say, Harry Kane if he was from Harrogate”.

In the end, councillors voted to recommend awarding a civic honour to Daly.

Regardless of the recognitions and honours, the 27-year-old has put Harrogate on the sporting map.

Whether it be lifting the Euros last year or topping the scoring charts in the Women’s Super League, Daly will always be looked upon in her hometown with pride.

Harrogate Town aim for four wins in a row against Tranmere Rovers

Harrogate Town will be looking to make it four wins on the bounce as they take on Tranmere Rovers tonight.

Town secured a third victory in three games after defeating play-off chasing Accrington Stanley 2-1 on Boxing Day.

A late winner from George Thomson secured all three points as Harrogate kicked off a busy Christmas fixture schedule.

Now, Town entertain Tranmere Rovers at the EnviroVent Stadium tonight.

Rovers go into the game off the back of a 5-1 thrashing of Salford City on Boxing Day and currently sit 18th in EFL League Two – six points behind Harrogate.

Simon Weaver, Town manager, said following the Stanley game that it was important that fans stick with the team to keep the run going.

He said:

“They [Tranmere] have had a fantastic win today.

“I think on the back of the last four or five home games, there has been that real relationship between the players and the fans.

“When we were 2-0 down against Wrexham, they could see that everyone was trying to get back into it and trying to play the right way. There was some good football as well.

“Since then, the atmosphere has really taken off in the stadium. It really does help.”

Harrogate Town play Tranmere Rovers tonight (December 29). Kick off is at 7.45pm.

Outrage as Harrogate hospital parking firm ‘incorrectly’ issues fine

A parking company has defended a decision to issue a parking ticket to a motorist at Harrogate District Hospital, despite dropping the charge upon appeal.

Parkeye oversees car parks at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.

The hospital brought in the company to operate its new parking arrangements in September, which includes automatic number plate recognition and a ticketless system.

However, some patients and visitors have criticised the decision after being given fines due to problems paying for parking.

Tamsin O’Brien was visiting a friend at the Lascelles Unit at the hospital on October 24.

She paid £4.15 to park for 45 minutes at the unit, which is part of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.

However, she received a fine from Parkingeye on November 2 of £70 despite paying the charge.

Ms O’Brien appealed the decision, but was told the appeal was unsuccessful on November 11 and that the fine still stood.

She then took the matter to Parking On Private Land Appeals, the industry arbitrator, and a week later received a letter from the company which stated that the fine was dropped.

Ms O’Brien said the company had ignored evidence that she had paid.

She said:

“My experience with Parkingeye was outrageous – it’s one thing to wrongly issue a charge because the company’s tech isn’t working correctly. It’s quite another thing though, to ignore irrefutable evidence that I paid to park, to reject my appeal, and to continue to pursue a charge.

“There will be many people who would find an experience like this very stressful- particularly when they maybe visiting loved ones in hospital who may be seriously ill.”

The Stray Ferret approached Parkingeye to ask why it had issued the fine after Ms O’Brien had paid the parking fee.

A spokesperson for the company said:

“The car park at the Lascelles Unit has eight prominent and highly-visible signs that give motorists clear guidance on how to use the car park responsibly, including guidance that it is staff parking only.

“The motorist parked in an area reserved for staff only without a staff permit and therefore correctly received a parking charge. However, following a review of the case we have cancelled as a gesture of goodwill.

“We would add that Parkingeye operates a BPA (British Parking Association) audited appeals process, which motorists can use to appeal their parking charge. If anyone has mitigating circumstances, we would encourage them to highlight this by appealing.”

However, in a letter outlining its refusal to the her appeal, Parkingeye told Ms O’Brien on November 11:

“We have reviewed the details outlined in your appeal, but we are not in receipt of sufficient evidence to confirm that the terms and conditions were not breached. The signage located at the above car park instructs motorists to enter their full, correct vehicle registration into the payment machine or terminal on site.

“After reviewing our records, we are unable to locate any vehicle details that match your vehicle registration. We believe this is due to either a major keying error taking place, or no vehicle registration details being entered at all.”

Ms O’Brien said she was “baffled” by Parkingeye’s response to the Stray Ferret and the fact that it did not match her correspondence from the company.

What’s your experience of using the new Parkingeye app at the hospital? Get in touch on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

No 10: Harrogate becomes political battleground in 2023

In this article, which is part of a series on the 12 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2023, we look back at an eventful year for politics in the Harrogate district.

The Harrogate district was a political battleground for much of the last 12 months.

From parliamentary by-elections to council party alliances being formed, the theatre of politics was never far from the headlines.

Perhaps the biggest story of the 2023 was the shaking of the political landscape in Selby and Ainsty.

The constituency, which includes Green Hammerton, Spofforth and Follifoot, found itself at the centre of the national picture as the Tories looked to keep a grip on what once was a safe seat.

The count held at Selby Leisure Centre was the culmination of the downfall of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The count held at Selby Leisure Centre.

Nigel Adams, a key ally of Johnson and Selby and Ainsty MP, resigned with immediate affect in June amid a flurry of resignations at the time, including former culture secretary Nadine Dorries.

Fast forward to July and the Tories were hoping to hang onto the seat.

Standing in the party’s way was 25-year-old former public affairs adviser for the Confederation of British Industry, Keir Mather.

Mr Mather did the unthinkable and overturned a 20,137 Conservative majority to win.

Political alliances

Away from the national picture, the local political scene was also offering its own drama.

The balance of power at North Yorkshire Council was finely poised in July this year, with the ruling Conservative group having precisely half the 90 seats on the council.

The defection of Cllr Mike Jordan left the Tories looking elsewhere to shore up their grip on the authority.

The party looked to Ripon.

Cllr Andrew Williams had been elected to North Yorkshire Council in the May elections as a Ripon Independent.

Cllr Williams and two other unaffiliated independents agreed an alliance with the Tories in what Cllr Carl Les, leader of the council, said would “secure the stable and sustainable governance” of the authority.

However, the move was not without controversy. In the wake of the news, Liberal Democrat councillor, Barbara Brodigan, criticised Cllr William’s decision and described him as a “Tory puppet”.

He hit back and said:

“There needs to be stability and governance on the council. With a £30 million budget shortfall to resolve and local government reorganisation in its infancy, the last thing that’s needed is complete chaos in the council chamber.

“That would suit the the Lib Dems fine, but it doesn’t do anything for local residents. I haven’t agreed to do anything else. The only commitment I’ve made is to join a group for the stable governance of North Yorkshire.”

Andrew Jones and Tom Gordon.

Elsewhere, with the prospect of a general election on the horizon, the race to become Harrogate and Knaresborough’s next MP heated up this year.

Tom Gordon threw his hat in the ring for the Liberal Democrats, while Conservative Andrew Jones is hoping to win his fifth election in the constituency.

While further candidates have yet to come forward, Labour appears to have gone cold on its prospects of winning the seat.

This month, it was revealed that the national party had designated it as a “non-battleground” constituency.

The Lib Dems proclaimed this to mean that Harrogate and Knaresborough is now a two-horse race.

2024 will be another battleground year for politics.

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Maltkiln

Harrogate Convention Centre

Ripon’s Clotherholme development

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Kirby Hill services

A new layer of governance

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Devolution on the horizon

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Political alliances

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