A Hull company has been awarded a £620,032 contract to redevelop a Bishop Monkton school.

North Yorkshire Council has commissioned JP Developers Ltd to replace a temporary unit at Bishop Monkton Church of England Primary School with a permanent classroom.

It will see the creation of a brand new 134 square metre building, which the council says will provide a more accessible and inclusive environment for pupils.

The temporary structure would be demolished.

The village school, which is based on St John’s Way, currently has 105 pupils.

The council tabled the plans in December 2021. In planning documents, it said:

“The new classroom unit will provide modern teaching environment and a much-needed space for the needs of the existing pupils providing them with a more suitable means of access and teaching environment.”

According to a council decision notice, the work is due to start in July this year.

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Harrogate Town have frozen adult season tickets and cut prices for juniors for the 2023/24 season.

The club announced today adult tickets will remain at £349 for standing and £395 for seating.

Concessions will also be frozen at £285 for standing and £322 for seated.

Under-18s and under-12s tickets will be cut in price for the 2023/24 campaign.

Under-18 standing tickets will be priced at £132 for standing and £162 for seated, while under 12s will be priced at £99 for standing and £138 for seated.

The price represents a drop from £179 standing and £209 seated for under 18s and £129 standing and £159 seated for under 12s.

The club has also announced a family bundle option, whereby supporters can purchase multiple season tickets, such as one adult and one under-18, and save 10% off the combined cost.

Season ticket renewals for adults and concessions will remain frozen at last year’s prices. Renewals for under-18s and under-12s will be cut to the same price as new supporters.

Prices for new season tickets at Harrogate Town for 2023/24.

The club have also confirmed that supporters will be able to pay the cost in instalments.

Current season ticket holders have until June 16 to renew before the ticket is released on general sale. New season tickets will go on sale to all supporters from Monday, May 22.

In a statement, Harrogate Town said its decision to cut junior prices was “part of our commitment to being a family club”.

It added:

“With further developments currently underway, the club remains committed to continuing to grow the crowds by increasing the number of seats to 2000, and will have more facilities to cater for a growing fan base as we prepare for our fourth season in the Football League.”

Harrogate Town secured their EFL status last month with a 3-2 win at Newport County.

It means Harrogate can prepare for a fourth campaign in EFL League Two since their historic promotion in 2020.

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Residents in Kirby Hill have objected to latest plans for a motorway service station near to the village.

Applegreen Ltd has submitted amended plans for the scheme between junctions 48 and 49 of the A1(M) northbound, between Boroughbridge and Ripon.

It would see a Welcome Break built at the site, as well a filling station and 364 car parking spaces created.

The proposal already has outline permission after the government’s Planning Inspectorate approved the plan on appeal in April 2021.

However, the Dublin-based company has applied for amendments to the plan, 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.

In documents submitted to the council, Applegreen said the changes were “limited design amendments”.

It said:

“These minor changes to the access / junction linking the motorway service area to the A1(M) are needed in order that this access is in full compliance with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (as required by National Highways).

“There are no other material amendments proposed whatsoever to the scheme approved under the 2021 permission.”

The site plan for the service station at Kirby Hill.

However, residents in Kirby Hill have argued that the changes are not minor and called on North Yorkshire Council to refuse the application.

Gareth Owens, of Kirby Hill Residents Against Motorway Services, said:

“Applegreen’s failure to implement the scheme approved by the Inspector proves the case that we have been making for 27 years – a motorway service area cannot be assimilated into the large-scale, open, rural landscape at this location.

“We urge the members of the new North Yorkshire Council planning committee to refuse these two applications, as their predecessors on Harrogate Borough Council have always done, and ensure that there will be no services here.”

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The Stray Ferret approached Applegreen for a response to residents’ concerns, but had not received a reply by the time of publication.

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

The move comes as the government approved plans for the service station after a series of public inquiries and planning battles.

In a saga which has spanned a quarter of a century, Applegreen’s application has been before multiple council planning committees, faced four public inquiries and been turned down twice by the Secretary of State and the High Court.

The inquiry, which was held by planning inspector David Rose and streamed onto YouTube, lasted two weeks and included multiple testimonies from residents, campaigners and developer Applegreen.

In a decision notice, Mr Rose said after considering the evidence that the benefits of a service station would outweigh the harm.

Plans have been approved for two new houses on a former pub site in Markington.

The proposal, which was submitted by Leeds-based Lotherton Property Services, would see the homes built behind what was the Cross Keys Inn on High Street in the village.

The pub closed in 2016 due to declining turnover and profitability.

It is currently being converted into a house after plans were approved in January.

Now, North Yorkshire Council has given approval for a further two four-bedroom homes built on the site

In documents submitted to the council, the developer said:

“The site seeks to accommodate two detached dwellings, which would generate less vehicular traffic than the previous use.”

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The move comes after the developer received permission to convert the Cross Keys Inn into a four-bedroom house.

It said in planning documents that the building had been extensively marketed for sale as a pub.

But it added potential buyers had shown little interest in reopening it for that purpose.

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club. Our next networking event is after-work drinks at Manahatta, on May 25th at 5:30.

Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

Two Harrogate businesses have been recognised in the Sunday Times “best places to work” guide.

Cloud Nine and LCF Law made the list, which surveys the opinions of employees from hundreds of businesses operating in every industry sector across the UK.

Both firms were recognised in the medium-sized companies category, which looks at businesses who employ between 50 and 249 people.

Some 200 companies are listed in the Sunday Times guide, including Brewdog, Pizza Express and David Lloyd Leisure.

Martin Rae, chief executive at Cloud Nine.

Martin Rae, chief executive at Cloud Nine, said:

“We have an exceptional team who deserve a great place to work. This is why we have recently spent a lot of time focusing on and investing in the whole experience our employees have here at Cloud Nine.”

Simon Stell, managing partner at LCF Law, said:

“These nationwide awards select the best places to work based solely on the results of an employee survey. Not only is the process incredibly insightful, but it’s also a great way of benchmarking our culture, our colleague engagement and how valued our team feel.”

Knaresborough car dealership signs insurance

A Knaresborough car dealership has agreed a major insurance deal with a national company.

Redline Specialist Cars, which is based at St James Business Park, has signed the deal with Provenance Insurance Brokers.

It will allow Redline clients to obtain private client motor insurance and associated insurance services through the Redline Specialist Insurance brand.

John Graeme, finance director at Redline, said:

“The team at Provenance went to great lengths to understand our business and culture, and we’re excited to build a long and successful partnership, bringing our clients market-leading protection for themselves and their prized possessions – from cars, houses, fine art, jewellery, commercial insurance and even extending to bespoke life insurance cover.”

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An online petition has been set up against the planned £11.2 million Harrogate Station Gateway project.

The scheme would see the biggest change to the town centre for decades, including traffic on a 300-metre stretch of Station Parade being reduced to single lane so cycle lanes can be built and part of James Street pedestrianised.

Senior North Yorkshire councillors will meet to make a final decision on the project on May 30 after Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors voted to support it.

However, a petition against the scheme has attracted 191 signatures at the time of writing.

Rachael Inchboard, of the Granville Road Residents Group, set up the Change.org petition in objection to the gateway project.

The petition says the scheme would  “irreversibly damage Harrogate” and adds that the signatories have “no confidence” in officers or the executive at North Yorkshire Council, which is leading the proposals.

Ms Inchboard said:

“Reducing the main A61 road through the centre of the town to a single lane, together with other proposals such as the partial closure of James Street, will hamper access by emergency vehicles, increase congestion and pollution, force cars and all other vehicles onto other roads and have an extremely detrimental effect on both the residential and business areas.

“The whole premise of the scheme is nonsense and will irreversibly damage Harrogate.

“Those who live and work in the town centre are not being listened to. Our voices must be heard.”

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The move comes as Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways at the council, welcomed the decision by Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors to support the proposals.

Following a three-hour meeting at Harrogate’s Civic Centre on May 5, councillors backed the scheme by 10 votes to 3.

Cllr Duncan, who has had responsibility for transport on the Conservative authority’s executive since Don Mackenzie retired last year, said he was pleased councillors from opposition parties came together to back the project.

He said:

“I welcome the positive, cross-party support expressed for the gateway project. The majority of councillors recognised the importance of securing this £11m investment and the transformative impact the project could have for Harrogate.

“Their support gives the executive the ability to proceed to the next stage. Input and oversight provided by local councillors will be incredibly valuable, now and into the future.”

Police have released CCTV images of a man they wish to speak to after an attempted arson in Pateley Bridge.

Officers say the incident happened between 1.45am and 2.45am on Sunday (May 14) at the Dales Market Corner petrol station in the town.

Two men walked onto the forecourt, placed a backpack in the area and set it alight. The backpack then self-extinguished.

Yesterday afternoon, officers arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of arson and criminal damage. He was interviewed and later released on conditional bail.

North Yorkshire Police has now appealed for the public to help with further information which may assist with the ongoing investigation.

Jill Cowling, detective inspector from Harrogate CID, said:

“We’re treating this incident as deliberate, and enquiries are continuing.  Thankfully no one was injured, but we will be increasing police activity in the area to provide additional reassurance to the public.

“As part of the ongoing police investigation I’m now appealing for people to come forward about any suspicious activity at the location on the night of Saturday 13 and in the early hours of Sunday 14 May 2023.”

Anyone with any information 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.

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Two Harrogate galleries have collaborated to launch a new exhibition.

Watermark Gallery will partner with Walker Galleries, which closed its doors on Montpellier Parade in December last year to move its operations online.

The two businesses have launched a new exhibition, A Brush With Colour, which opened on Saturday and will run until May 31.

Liz Hawkes, owner of Watermark Gallery, said she felt her business could learn from working with Walker Galleries.

She said:

“When we heard that Walker Galleries was closing, we were very disappointed to lose a quality gallery across the road. 

“Through our sister business, Artworks Conservation, we have worked with Ian and Shirley Walker for many years and have a mutual respect for the gallery business they built up. 

“We felt we had a lot to learn by joining forces and are only too pleased to be working with them on this exciting new programme of work.”

Lilies and Lemons – one of the exhibits by Caroline Bailey

Ian Walker, owner of Walker Galleries, said:

“We were delighted when Liz approached us with the offer of a venue so we could continue exhibiting the work of our artists.

“This current show with Caroline Bailey now promises to be even bigger and better than ever before as it combines our established way of working with the online and digital marketing focus of Watermark Gallery.”

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A Brush With Colour is a solo exhibition by acclaimed artist and colourist Caroline Bailey RSW (Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour). 

It will be held at Watermark Gallery on Royal Parade.

The exhibition is the first in a series of three joint events, with future exhibitions by Mike Bernard RI and Katharine Holmes both planned for the Autumn/Winter 2023. 

Health bosses in North Yorkshire have said more covid vaccine appointments will be available for Harrogate residents amid concern over a lack of clinics.

Officials at NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board said three pharmacies in Harrogate have been holding appointments for those eligible for a spring booster vaccine.

However, residents have contacted the Stray Ferret over concerns that the NHS booking website only showed clinics in West Yorkshire.

Currently, those who are vulnerable and over-75 are eligible for an appointment.

Those who wish to book a vaccine have to do so through the NHS website or by calling 119.

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But, residents in Harrogate who have tried to book a booster vaccine have found appointments are only available in Bradford or Leeds.

NHS officials said much of the vaccine campaign has been focused on those in care homes or who are housebound.

However, they added more local appointments should become available “over the next two or three weeks” to those who are eligible and will mostly be in GPs and pharmacies.

In response to the concern over travel, a spokesperson for Humber and North Yorkshire ICB said:

“Three pharmacies in Harrogate have had appointments available through the NHS National Booking Service and have been actively delivering clinics.

“However, over the next two to three weeks, patients in Harrogate who are eligible for their COVID spring booster should have access to more local appointments when they visit the online NHS National Booking Service or contact NHS 119.

“With GP practices in the Harrogate district mainly concentrating their efforts on delivering vaccines to care home residents and patients who are housebound, clinics for over 75s and those who are immunosuppressed will mostly be delivered by community pharmacy teams, though some GP practices will be running clinics for their eligible patients and they will be contacted directly when it’s their turn.

“The Spring campaign commenced on 3 April for all care home residents, housebound and immunosuppressed patients in line with JCVI guidance. All other over 75s became eligible for vaccination w/c 17 April and we are confident everyone who’s eligible will be able to receive a vaccination prior to the end of June when this campaign ends.”

Those are eligible for a spring covid booster are advised to check the NHS booking service online or call 119, if travelling is an issue.

More information on covid vaccine appointments can be found on the NHS England website here.

North Yorkshire’s transport boss has said the council intends to carry out a review of how it supports bus services amid concerns over passenger numbers.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for transport at North Yorkshire Council, said grants from government and a cap on £2 fares will help some routes to continue into next year.

However, he added that the authority would review how it can support bus companies in future.

In a statement due before this week’s full council, Cllr Duncan said:

“We have just accepted the final extension to the Local Transport Fund grant from the DfT. 

“This amounts to an additional £360k which will be used to support services. We hope this will allow current service levels to continue for at least a further year. This allows us time to conduct a wider review of the way the council supports services. 

“However, increased passenger numbers, not subsidies, remain the key to the long-term viability of bus services.”

The move comes as the 24 service from Pateley Bridge to Harrogate was recently saved until April next year.

Transdev, which operates the service, had initially planned to withdraw most services on the route.

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However, talks between the council and operator secured the service for another year.

The move coincided with an extension to the government’s £2 cap on single fares until June and extra funding for routes at risk of being reduced.

At the time, Cllr Duncan warned that government cash “cannot continue in perpetuity”.