Business Breakfast: Harrogate care provider hires learning development manager

Are you already thinking of how to reward your employees this Christmas? Why not choose the Harrogate Gift Card?

The Harrogate Gift Card can be spent in over 100 businesses in Harrogate town centre including retail, hospitality and leisure, whilst keeping the spend locked into the local economy.

Complete a corporate bulk order of over £250 and receive 15% discount from November 1 to 15 with the code ‘HGT15’.

Harrogate-based Vida Healthcare has appointed a new learning development and quality manager.

Arron Bolland will oversee the company’s new training facility, Vida Academy, on Starbeck High Street.

Mr Bolland will be tasked with overseeing the creation and implementation of continuous training programs for all staff roles at Vida Healthcare.

James Rycroft, managing director at Vida Healthcare, said: 

“Arron’s dedication to providing our residents with the best possible care is evident in his career progression throughout his time with us.

“His appointment to head up the Vida Academy team and drive our training and development offering forward was the natural next step for us.

“Vida Academy underscores our commitment to both our residents and staff, and we are looking forward to seeing the impact that Arron has on the career progression opportunities available to all our staff members.”

Harrogate estate agents wins industry awards

Harrogate estate agency Myrings has been recognised at a property industry awards.

The company picked up four accolades at the ESTAS Customer Service Awards 2023 – Gold for Sales in Yorkshire and Landlords in Yorkshire, Best in Postcode, and Agent of the Year.

Myrings staff at the awards.

Myrings staff at the awards.

The awards were based on more than 300,000 customer service ratings on the ESTAS review site, and the winners announced at an event in London hosted by TV property expert Phil Spencer.

Gemma Myring, managing director of Myrings, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled. We have always been very proud of our personal service and this proves we are delivering what we promise.”

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Major elements of £11.2 million Harrogate Station Gateway scheme to be scrapped

Two major parts of Harrogate’s £11.2 million Station Gateway project look set to be scrapped.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways at North Yorkshire Council, said reducing Station Parade to one lane and pedestrianising James Street would need be dropped from the scheme in order for it “to be successful”.

The move comes as council officials are currently drawing up alternative options for the project after the previous proposals were paused last month.

The original plans included reducing a 300-metre stretch of Station Parade to single lane to make space for cycle lanes and the part-pedestrianisation of James Street.

Cllr Keane Duncan.

However, Cllr Duncan, who is also the Conservative candidate for Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said new proposals for the gateway project required major changes.

He said:

“We need to make fundamental changes to the gateway if we are to secure investment for Harrogate.

“The proposal to reduce Station Parade to a single lane has been the most divisive element. To be successful, we would need Station Parade to remain as two lanes.

“And plans for James Street would need to be removed from the scheme’s scope altogether.”

The council halted the scheme immediately after lawyers acting on behalf of local property firm Hornbeam Park Developments launched a judicial review.

As a result, the authority announced it would draw up alternative options which would focus on “a high quality pedestrian-focussed public realm scheme, with improved access into the bus station, and better traffic flow through co-ordinated signal timings”.

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Full proposals are expected to be put before senior North Yorkshire councillors at a later date.

Cllr Duncan added that the new scheme would still be able to deliver public realm improvements.

He said:

“A new gateway proposal would allow us to move forward with first-class public realm improvements to Station Square, give One Arch the attention it needs and tackle congestion by upgrading the myriad of uncoordinated traffic signals.

“We have a final window of opportunity to produce a deliverable and beneficial scheme. This will not be easy, but I am committed to a cross-party effort. Constructive conversations are already taking place between Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors.

“My hope is to achieve a revised project plan with clear support from the public.

“I hope that residents and businesses can be encouraged by the pragmatic effort under way and the prospect of key changes to the Gateway that would see more controversial elements removed.”

Two flood alerts issued for Harrogate district

The Environment Agency has issued two flood alerts in the Harrogate district.

The alerts have been put in place overnight for the Lower River Nidd catchment near Kirk Hammerton and the lower River Ure, which affects Masham, Boroughbridge, Aldborough and Bishop Monkton.

It affects low-lying land including agricultural land and local road on the Lower River Ure and land around the Lower River Nidd and its tributaries including Sand Beck, Sike Beck, Pool Beck and Great Gutter.

The alerts said:

“Flooding is possible in this area.

“Monitor local water levels and weather conditions. Avoid using low lying footpaths or entering areas prone to flooding. Start acting on your flood plan if you have one.”

The move comes as a yellow weather warning is in place in the Harrogate district until 6am on November 3 amid forecast heavy rain due to Storm Ciarán.

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

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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.

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Business Breakfast: Harrogate consultancy firm hires new associate directors

Are you already thinking of how to reward your employees this Christmas? Why not choose the Harrogate Gift Card?

The Harrogate Gift Card can be spent in over 100 businesses in Harrogate town centre including retail, hospitality and leisure, whilst keeping the spend locked into the local economy.

Complete a corporate bulk order of over £250 and receive 15% discount from November 1 to 15 with the code ‘HGT15’.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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. 

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