Residents petition calls on council to reject Harrogate Tesco plans

Residents living close to the former gas works in New Park have started a petition calling on Harrogate Borough Council to reject Tesco’s application to build a supermarket.

If given the go-ahead, Tesco would build a 38,795 square feet store and a petrol filling station on the site near the New Park roundabout.

Electric Avenue residents have cited various concerns, including pollution, road safety fears and environmental damage,

They say the disused site has become a home to wildlife since Northern Gas Networks moved out more than 20 years ago.

Two days since resident Nicki Balmforth set up the petition, more than 140 people have signed it. In the petition description she said:

“We believe that this new application should be rejected in full due to the time that has passed the abundance of wildlife now thriving on this land, and the certain destruction of their habitats.

“The site is home to and/or feeding ground to the following wildlife, roe deer, badgers, foxes, newts, frogs and toads, squirrels, hedgehogs, owls and more.

“We do not need another supermarket in this area, in a five-mile radius from this site there are 14 food stores including Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Co-op, and express shops. We do understand the need to support the new homes being built, but this is not the right location!”

Read more:

Electric Avenue residents are holding a meeting tomorrow night to discuss the plans.

Tesco has harboured ambitions for a new store in the town for almost 20 years. The retailer previously had plans approved in 2009.

The supermarket giant held an online consultation about the plans last year — 187 people responded. Of those, 62% said they supported proposals.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Heavy traffic on Skipton Road near roadworks

Northern Gas Networks is carrying out works on Skipton Road close to the New Park roundabout.

There are temporary traffic lights in place, which has lead to heavy traffic in the area this morning.

Works are due to finish on Friday, January 28.

The Stray Ferret has changed the way it offers Traffic and Travel alerts.

We will now notify you instantly through app notifications and flash tweets when there is an urgent alert. This could include heavy traffic, dangerous weather and long delays or cancellations of public transport.

The alerts are sponsored by The HACS Group.

First glance at Harrogate’s new £1.5m padel and gym centre

A new £1.5 million fitness hub opened in Harrogate today featuring the largest indoor padel tennis centre in the UK and an “affordable but boutique” gym.

Coach gym and Surge Padel are located in the same unit, called the Matrix Building, on Hornbeam Park.

It is a major investment in the town after a difficult couple of years for business. The new venture has also created 40 jobs.

Padel tennis is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. This development seeks to put Harrogate at the epicentre of that surge in interest. It’s the largest of its kind in the country with six courts.

Surge Padel has only opened on the first floor of the building but International Padel Federation is already considering it as the potential host of its European Championships.

Read more:

Coach which can be found on the ground floor and comes with more than 200 pieces of equipment and guided classes.

Stuart Perrin, who owns both Coach and Surge Padel, told the Stray Ferret:

“People of Harrogate are already voting with their feet and moving here. I think they appreciate this premium product at an affordable price, particularly in this economic climate.

“It just so happens that I used to live in Harrogate and it’s close to where I live now so it was an easy decision for me when this property came up.

“We were planning to open the first Coach in Leeds when the first lockdown came. It was a difficult time but that business was very successful.

“During the lockdowns we were on the search for more properties as a result. So we have more places in the pipeline and think now is the time to invest.”

So it seems more jobs could be on the way too as the business expands across the UK, with head office based in the same Hornbeam Park building.

More pictures from Coach and Surge Padel:

Padel is a different type of tennis.

It is the largest indoor padel tennis court in the UK.

Coach has more than 200 pieces of equipment.

Staff can help with training.

Both Coach and Surge Padel are based at Hornbeam Park.

Ripley primary school seeks to join academy after ‘inadequate’ rating

A primary school in Ripley rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted this week is in negotiations to join an academy.

Ofsted’s report said parents valued Ripley Endowed C of E Primary School but was highly critical of the quality of education, leadership and early years provision.

The government schools inspector added that pupils were often distracted because work is too easy or too hard and “achieve far less than they should”.

North Yorkshire County Council, the local authority responsible for education, said today it was working with the school governors and interim school leaders to make improvements at the 49-pupil school.

The council also revealed that it was talking to the Diocese of Leeds and the regional schools commissioner to find an academy sponsor.

Academies are funded directly by the government and are run by an academy trust. Academy sponsors work with the trust to improve the performance of the school.

Read more:

Ripley is currently part of a federation of three schools, along with Kettlesing Felliscliffe Community Primary School and Beckwithshaw Community Primary School.

Putting in place improvements

Amanda Newbold, the assistant director for education and skills said:

“We are currently working with governors and interim school leaders to put in place the necessary improvements.

“The county council is working with the Diocese of Leeds and the regional schools commissioner to find an academy sponsor and to ensure the school has strong governance in place during this period of transition.

“We will work closely with the school, the wider community, parents, carers and pupils as we approach the next chapter for the school.”

Ofsted inspectors visited the school over two days in November 2021 when they observed lessons, spoke to pupils informally and met parents at the start of the day.

Here is how the inspectors came to the overall ‘inadequate’ rating:

National Trust staff ‘bullied’ after Brimham Rocks TikTok video goes viral

The National Trust has said staff at Brimham Rocks have been subjected to bullying and harassment after a TikTok mobile DJ labelled them as “Karens” in his latest video.

DJ Zach Sabri, better known online as SUAT, claims he is “just trying to make the world dance” by blasting out rave music in unusual places.

But his latest stunt at Brimham Rocks, near Pateley Bridge, drew complaints from visitors that he was being too loud and that he was filming without permission.

National Trust staff approached the TikTok star and asked if he had permission to film there. He did not, so they asked him to leave.

He filmed the exchange with staff and included it in his TikTok video, which has now been viewed more than two million times.

In the video caption SUAT claimed: “Karen never lets me rock climb.”

‘Karen’ is used a derogatory term online to describe a woman deemed to be entitled or demanding.

Read more:

A National Trust spokesperson said:

“Visitors are very welcome to take photographs and videos of the outdoor places we care for. There’s no additional charge for personal photography.

“We do ask that anyone looking to use photographs or videos for commercial use seek permission beforehand. If approved, any associated fees are used for vital conservation work to care for places featured.

“Permission is also required before filming or photographing National Trust staff and volunteers, who have a right to privacy.

“When filming at Brimham Rocks, DJ Suat was approached by staff who wanted to act on behalf of other visitors. They had received a number of complaints on the day about the noise.

“Unfortunately, as a result of this particular video, staff and their families have since been subjected to harassment and bullying, online and in person, for which we are supporting them.”

Care home staff and residents at centre of recruitment campaign

Care home residents and staff in North Yorkshire have spoken out in support of a recruitment campaign urging people to “make a difference on your doorstep”.

Make Care Matter has been launched by North Yorkshire County Council with the aims of tackling a critical shortfall in workers and changing perceptions of the sector which is enduring a major challenge to attract and retain staff.

There are around 1,000 jobs available across the county and those who rely on and work in care have now come together to provide a boost for the campaign.

Nick Moxon, who has cerebral palsy and is a resident at Disability Action Yorkshire‘s Claro Road care home in Harrogate, is one of several people featuring in TV adverts from this week. He told a press conference today:

“Our carers at Claro Road are like family – they pick us up when we are feeling down and keep us smiling.

“The care sector needs a shot in the arm so hopefully by launching this campaign and playing our part this will be the start of a turning point in the way the care sector is perceived.”

Mr Moxon’s carer Jade Bullock added:

“I have created a caring bond with customers here at Disability Action Yorkshire and this is something people will not understand until they have experienced it for themselves.

“There is satisfaction in this job you won’t find anywhere else.”

Read more:

The county council says people of all ages and backgrounds can work in care and that the need for more people to join the sector has never been greater.

It is also calling on national government to review the status of the social care workforce.

The council’s corporate director for health and adult services, Richard Webb, said the care profession needed to be recognised on the same level as the NHS to help attract new recruits.

Mr Webb said:

“We are asking the wider community to see care through the eyes of people who use services and those who work in the sector.

“We want you to understand how vital it is and see a different picture.

“There are opportunities for everyone in every community. Please come join us and give it a try.”

To find out more about job opportunities go to www.makecarematter.co.uk

Ripon pool opening delayed again

Harrogate Borough Council has delayed the opening of a new pool in Ripon — again.

The pool was due to be completed in May 2021 at a cost of £10.2 million but it is now eight months overdue and £4 million over-budget.

At the end of November, the council said workers had identified an issue with the lining of the pool and that it would open in January.

But an update by the council today revealed further delays and no opening date.

Read more:

It said:

“The pool manufacturer has been carrying out additional work to resolve this issue, at no cost to us, and are continuing to do so.

“We were hopeful the pool would open this month but due to the complexity of the work involved it is taking longer than first anticipated.

“We’d like to reassure you that this has nothing to do with ground conditions and relates to the overflow drainage channel and the membrane around the edge of the pool.

“Once this work has been completed – which we hope won’t be too much longer – we will need to carry out some final testing ahead of opening.

“We are as disappointed as you, but carrying out this remedial work and rigorous testing now will allow you all to enjoy the pool for many years to come.”

The council added that it hopes to have a further update “in the coming days”.

Ofsted rates Ripley primary school as ‘inadequate’

Ofsted has rated Ripley Endowed C of E Primary School as ‘inadequate’ for the first time in the school’s history.

The 49-pupil school had a ‘good’ rating in 2011 but subsequently received ‘requires improvement’ ratings in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

The latest report, published yesterday, says pupils feel safe, safeguarding arrangements are effective and parents value the school. It also says pupils are polite and well mannered and there is no bullying in school.

But it is highly critical of the quality of education, leadership and early years provision. It is also critical of behaviour and attitudes and personal development.

Pupils, says Ofsted, are often distracted because work is too easy or too hard and “achieve far less than they should”.

Read more:

‘Inadequate’ is the lowest of four possible ratings. The report says:

“Ripley Endowed Church of England School is a warm and caring school. Pupils feel safe here. They support, help and care for each other.

“Parents value the school and the staff that work here. The quality of education that pupils receive is inadequate.

“Despite the teachers wanting the pupils to achieve, the curriculum is not designed or planned well enough to support them to do this.”

Ofsted inspectors visited the school over two days in November 2021 when they observed lessons, spoke to pupils informally and met parents at the start of the day.

Here is how the inspectors came to the overall ‘inadequate’ rating:

The Stray Ferret approached Ripley Endowed C of E Primary School for its response to the Ofsted rating. We were directed to North Yorkshire County Council, the local education authority, but it did not respond by the time of publication.

Ripley is part of a federation of three schools. The other two schools are Kettlesing Felliscliffe Community Primary School and Beckwithshaw Community Primary School.

Business groups claim they’ve been ignored in Station Gateway consultation

Three business groups have accused North Yorkshire County Council of ignoring their views and the opinions of residents during the Station Gateway consultation.

The Stray Ferret revealed yesterday that the county council is set to give the £10.9m project the green light at a meeting on Tuesday next week — even though the latest consultation revealed the majority of respondents feel negatively towards the scheme.

The gateway scheme will see major changes around Harrogate railway station, including single lane traffic on a stretch of Station Parade and  James Street partly pedestrianised to encourage walking and cycling.

In a joint letter to members of the county council’s executive, which has been recommended to approve the scheme, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, Harrogate Business Improvement District and Independent Harrogate warned that work on the scheme would create ‘another 12 months of major disruption and misery’ for businesses already struggling to get over covid.

The letter adds:

“Sadly, the views of the business community have been continually ignored. As have those of other key organisations, in particular Harrogate Civic Society and residents’ organisations who believe what is being proposed will not bring the benefits being espoused. The Conservative Party, of which you are a member, prided itself on being the party of business. Sadly, this doesn’t appear to be the case anymore!

“For the last two years, town centre businesses have suffered at the hands of the covid pandemic and now you are proposing to add at least another 12-months of major disruption and misery.

“For you it will be easy to support the proposal in front of you, as of next year North Yorkshire County Council will not exist in its current form and some of you may not even seek re-election.

“Before you cast your vote, we urge you to carefully consider the businesses in Harrogate town centre and their collective views.”

Read more:

The letter also questions the lack of an economic impact survey and says greater consideration should be given to the travel needs of people who come into Harrogate from nearby villages.

‘Welcome boost’ to town centre

The Harrogate scheme is one of three in Yorkshire being paid for by £42m from the government’s Transforming Cities Fund.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said:

“These proposals represent the biggest investment in Harrogate, Selby and Skipton town centres in decades.

“We want to encourage more people to travel by foot, bike and public transport because it is good for health and the environment by promoting fitness and reducing congestion.

“The spending will also provide a welcome boost for our town centres after two difficult years of trading during the pandemic.

“We have listened to feedback from the public consultations and are confident people will be pleased with the results.”

Viral TikTok video sees Brimham Rocks staff kick out mobile DJ

Brimham Rocks has gone viral in a bizarre TikTok video in which National Trust staff tell a mobile DJ he is unable to film there.

DJ Zach Sabri, better known online as SUAT, claims he is “just trying to make the world dance” — something he seeks to do by blasting out rave music in unusual places.

His latest video, which appears to be his most successful yet with more than one million views in just 24 hours, sees the DJ dance and sing in precarious places at National Trust-owned Brimham Rocks.

He also appears to lick one of the rocks.

Read more:

Soon though two National Trust staff, who look taken aback by Mr Sabri, ask if he has permission to film before explaining he would need an activity licence.

In the interaction which ensues the TikTok star asks: “I am just wondering what you categorise this as?” That question gets the response: “well, I don’t know.”

@suatism

Karen never lets me rock climb… #karen #climbing #dancemusic #nationaltrust #harrogate

♬ original sound – SUAT

The DJ appears to relent in the end as he tells staff he will leave — although, he ignores their warning not to play music or film on the way out.

TikTok is a social media app popular with young people. The National Trust may not have welcomed DJ SUAT’s appearance but his video will have introduced a lot of people to Brimham Rocks, which is near Pateley Bridge.