Sheffield United top Harrogate’s list of pre-season friendlies

Sheffield United are coming to Wetherby Road as part of Harrogate Town’s pre-season friendly fixtures.

Town announced four matches today as part of their preparations for what will be their fifth season in League Two of the English Football League.

Simon Weaver’s men hosted Sheffield Wednesday in a pre-season friendly two seasons ago.

Now they will take on Sheffield’s leading club, who have just been relegated from the Premier League.

The Blades, managed by Chris Wilder, will make the trip from South Yorkshire to The EnviroVent stadium on Tuesday, July 23 for a 7pm kick-off.

Town’s pre-season shapes up like this:

The club said further fixtures and ticketing information for these matches will be confirmed in due course.

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Judicial review threat to Ripon’s 1,300-home Clotherholme scheme

Ripon City Council could begin legal action to ensure key concerns relating to the 1,300-home Clotherholme scheme are addressed.

North Yorkshire Council’s strategic planning committee granted government agency Homes England outline permission to develop Ministry of Defence land in the north-west of the city last week.

Although there is widespread acceptance that the scheme will go ahead, Ripon councillors, Ripon Military Heritage Trust and Ripon Civic Society have all called for safeguards to be installed on two key issues before the homes are built.

They want to see vital military heritage sites at Clotherholme preserved and a rethink on a proposal to ban right-turning traffic at the Low Skellgate / Somerset Row junction, which is one of many transport measures relating to the development.

The junction where traffic could be prevented from turning right.

Cllr Barbara Brodigan, a Liberal Democrat who represents Ripon Ure Bank and Spa division said she was disappointed local voices “did not have the impact we wanted” at last week’s planning meeting in Northallerton.

She said:

“There was a small success in that they will look again at the ‘no right turn’ proposal for the junction at Low Skellgate.

“However, I have campaigned for nearly four years now for the traffic assessment to be reviewed as I believe the existing one is flawed, having been conducted in June when there is less school traffic on the road.”

Neither Cllr Brodigan nor Cllr Andrew Williams, a member of the Conservatives and Independents group who represents Ripon Moorside and Minster, sit on the countywide strategic planning committee.

But both spoke at last week’s meeting to flag up concerns. Cllr Williams said:

“The banning of right turning traffic at the Low Skellgate / Somerset Row junction will mean my constituents effectively being cut off and having to find an alternative way to get to their homes.”

Last week’s strategic planning committee meeting.

The strategic planning committee agreed to review plans to preserve the city’s military heritage when the application comes back to councillors for the reserved matters application, which contains the details of the scheme.

But Cllr Brodigan said:

“This fails to preserve the military heritage, which I believe the planning committee intended, as the developers can start bulldozing the buildings under the planning consent.

“So it is not enough, unless the city council considers a judicial review, which I believe we will.”

Cllr Brodigan added:

“Homes England, like other developers, talk about place-making, consulting with the community etc. They say it is not just about chimney pots, but in fact it is.

“I would like to see some genuine engagement from Homes England with the Ripon Military Heritage Trust to preserve the significant military heritage at Clotherholme for posterity. We will ‘soldier on!'”

‘We need as many voices raised as possible’

Ripon Military Heritage Trust said in a statement it was disappointed the planning committee did not agree to a deferral “but instead approved the scheme without the safeguards in place that the trust believes to be essential to ensure the preservation of a group of the historic buildings”.

The statement added:

“Nevertheless, we were encouraged by the general support for the heritage expressed by a clear majority of the committee and for the view voiced by several members that land should be allocated for this purpose.

“And we were also partly reassured by the determination of elected members to keep the final decision on heritage preservation in their own hands rather than deputing it to officers as was being proposed.

“However, given that the committee in approving the overall development has agreed a plan to demolish all the barrack buildings, we are concerned that the developers may seek to pre-empt any decision on the heritage by simply bulldozing Deverell Barracks at the earliest opportunity.”

The Stray Ferret is backing the trust’s campaign to save Ripon’s military heritage and the statement said “we need as many voices raised in concerned protest as possible”.

The statement added:

“We are most grateful to the Stray Ferret for its continuing support of our fight to save this important part of our heritage.”

The houses are due to be built on land between Clotherhome Road and Kirkby Road.

The Stray Ferret is backing the trust’s campaign to save key parts of the city’s military history, as reported here. Please sign the petition here. 

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Harrogate to get new ceremonial mayor next week

Chris Aldred is set to be appointed the new Harrogate charter mayor at a meeting next week.

Mr Aldred is a Liberal Democrat councillor and represents the High Harrogate & Kingsley division on North Yorkshire Council.

The non-political role involves promoting the historic and ceremonial traditions of the Harrogate area during events and occasions.

It differs from the former Harrogate Borough Council mayor who covered the whole of the former borough and undertook a much wider range of engagements.

His fellow Liberal Democrat councillor Philip Broadbank is set to be his deputy.

The charter mayor will be elected by the Harrogate charter trustees after Mr Aldred was nominated at a meeting last year. These are 10 councillors representing divisions that cover the unparished parts of Harrogate town.

Mr Aldred said he was “honoured and humbled” to be nominated for the role.

It has been held by Conservative councillor Michael Harrison for the last 12 months when Mr Aldred served as his deputy.

Mr Aldred said:

“Whilst the role of Charter Mayor is very much ‘mayor-lite’ compared to the role played by the mayor of the former Harrogate district, there is a significant part to play as first citizen of the unparished area of Harrogate town.

“I am looking forward to representing the town at civic events and maintaining the traditions of the mayoralty at ceremonial events such as Remembrance Sunday, which I know are very important to many Harrogate residents.”

If, as expected, a Harrogate Town Council is created following elections in May next year, the new council will have the power to usher in a more wide-ranging mayoralty.

Mr Aldred added:

“I very much hope that I will be the last charter mayor and be able to hand over the chains of office next May to a newly elected chair of Harrogate Town Council. The charter trustees basically exist to babysit the mayoralty and its traditions until a town council is created, elected and fully functioning.

“Until then I will endeavour to carry out the role of charter mayor to the best of my abilities and represent our great & historic town as best as I can”.

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Mr Aldred worked in local government across Yorkshire for 23 years in the tourism and arts sectors. He has also worked at Bradford Cathedral, the Army Foundation College and Harrogate Convention Centre.

He was first elected as a councillor in 2018 to Harrogate Borough Council.

He’s been married to Sue for 35 years and is a keen runner, having completed more than 400 park runs. He also likes to cycle, look after his pet cat Zelda and explore old churches. He follows the trials and tribulations of Leeds United.

The meeting will take place at Harrogate Civic Centre at 9.15am on Thursday (May 30).

Harrogate and Knaresborough Reform candidate replaced after internal ‘bust-up’

Reform UK replaced its candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough after an internal row over some of his social media comments.

Richard Brown was named as the party’s parliamentary candidate in August last year.

But he was one of eight nationwide candidates described as ‘unsavoury rogues’  in a Mail on Sunday investigation in March.

The article claimed Mr Brown “made misogynistic remarks about Labour MP Jess Phillips” and shared false claims that doctors refused to treat Boris Johnson on the basis that he didn’t have covid.

Reform UK initially stood by Mr Brown but he was eventually replaced by John Swales, who stood for the party in last month’s Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone by-election.

The two men were friends but speaking to the Stray Ferret today, Mr Brown said they had a “big bust-up two or three weeks ago” and he “didn’t want to see the bugger again”.

He claimed he was “sacked without justification” and described the Reform UK leadership as “incompetent”, adding:

“I’ve had to cope with it for last 18 months.”

Mr Brown said he and some other former Reform candidates and supporters had formed a movement called Restore GB, which had similar policies to Reform but “without the baggage”. He added:

“We want Reform policies but can’t work with the Reform hierarchy.”

Mr Brown said he was trying to register the organisation in time to stand as a candidate in Harrogate and Knaresborough at the general election on July 4.

He said he founded Reform’s party in Harrogate in February last year and had built it up to have hundreds of supporters, adding:

“Reform Harrogate would be nothing without me.”

The Stray Ferret contacted Mr Swales about Mr Brown’s comments.

He replied:

“Richard Brown was appointed to set up Reform UK in Harrogate and Knaresborough and was part of the team that established their presence over the last 18 months.

“With a new prospective parliamentary candidate now in post and a superb team of activists being developed, Reform UK now have the opportunity to significantly enhance their profile and expand local awareness of their detailed policies.”

He added:

“The appointment and management of prospective parliamentary candidates is dealt with centrally by the senior leadership team at Reform UK headquarters.”

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Council backs down from legal battle with housebuilder over 53 homes in Harrogate

A long-running campaign to prevent 53 homes being built off a quiet cul-de-sac in Harrogate has suffered a severe setback.

Teesside developer Jomast applied to build the homes off Knox Lane in Bilton.

Councillors on North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee overruled a council officer’s recommendation when they voted to reject the scheme in September last year.

The campaign group Keep Knox Natural hailed the the outcome, which it said had “strengthened local community spirit and resolve”.

Jomast subsequently appealed to the government’s Planning Inspectorate and indicated it intended to seek costs. It said the plans had been recommended for approval by council officers four times and councillors were wrong not to approve them.

Trevor Watson, the council’s assistant director of planning, said today it had “agreed not to contest” the appeal.

Mr Watson said:

“In October 2023 we refused planning permission for 53 houses at Knox Lane, Harrogate on grounds relating to highway matters, landscape impact and biodiversity issues. The developer Jomast appealed the decision with the Planning Inspectorate.

“The public inquiry to consider the appeal will take place from July 23, 2024 where all interested parties will be able to put their views forward to the independent planning inspector who will make a final decision.

“However, following external legal advice, members of the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency planning committee have decided not to contest the appeal.”

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Opposition parties prepare for chance to end Tory stranglehold in Harrogate and Knaresborough

Opposition parties have welcomed the chance to end 14 years of Conservative domination in Harrogate and Knaresborough at the general election.

Andrew Jones has held the seat for the Tories since 2010, winning four elections in a row.

But with some national forecasts predicting a Liberal Democrat win, and Labour buoyant after David Skaith’s mayoral victory, there appears to be everything to play for on July 4.

Electoral Calculus currently gives the Lib Dems a 65% chance of success in Harrogate and Knaresborough, compared with 22% for the Conservatives and 12% for Labour.

But UK Polling Report says the Conservatives have a 35.78% chance, the Lib Dems 35.62%, Labour 24.05% and the Greens 4.1%

Tom Gordon, the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate said it was a “once-in-a-generation chance to kick the Conservatives out of power”, adding:

“It’s clear that only the Liberal Democrats can beat the Conservatives in Harrogate and Knaresborough, it’s neck and neck here and every vote will count.

“After years of struggling to get GP and dental appointments, soaring rents and mortgages and our rivers being polluted by filthy sewage, it’s time for a change in Harrogate & Knaresborough.”

Conrad Whitcroft, who was named Labour’s parliamentary candidate yesterday (May 22) just hours before Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the election, said:

“After 14 years of Conservative-led failure I am glad that Rishi Sunak has finally had the guts to call a general election. The people of Harrogate and Knaresborough now have the chance to give their verdict on this government’s record of chaos and decline.

“I am proud to have been chosen by the Labour Party to stand in Harrogate and Knaresborough. I am ready to give Harrogate and Knaresborough the chance to vote for change.”

Green Party candidate Shan Oakes said a vote for her party was “a vote for real change”, adding:

“We’re the only party to have clear and consistent policies to move us all towards a fairer,  healthier world where we work with nature instead of trashing her. I’m deeply saddened by the outrageous  profiteering we are seeing at the expense of nature.

“People and nature have been sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed . The Greens have been clear on this for at least half a century…and it’s time our voice was heard.”

John Swales, Reform UK’s candidate, said he hoped to poll a higher percentage of votes in Harrogate and Knaresborough than the 12% to 14% the party was generating nationally.

Mr Swales said Harrogate was no longer a genteel spa town; it had expanded hugely and many people had concerns about issues such as housing that were shared by Reform, he said, adding it was the only real party for change.

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Labour names candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough

The Labour Party has selected Conrad Whitcroft as its candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough at the next general election.

Mr Whitcroft, who has never previously stood for parliament, lives in York and works as a project manager for insurance firm Aviva.

He was elected to represent Fishergate on City of York Council this month and supported David Skaith’s successful mayoral campaign for Labour.

Mr Whitcroft attended school in Northampton then graduated from the University of York with a degree in politics.

A profile on the York Labour Party website describes him as an ‘active union rep’ and environmental campaigner. He has also been an intern in the House of Commons.

Mr Skaith’s victory in this month’s York and North Yorkshire mayoral election boosted local Labour supporters.

But the party faces an uphill battle to win in Harrogate and Knaresborough at the next general election. Mark Sewards, its candidate in 2019, polled just 10% of votes to finish third behind Conservative Andrew Jones and Liberal Democrat Judith Rogerson.

Mr Jones will defend the seat for the Tories while Tom Gordon will stand for the Lib Dems.

Conrad Whitcroft with supporters.

In a Labour press release today, Mr Whitcroft said Harrogate and Knaresborough “has been let down by more than a decade of Conservative-led government”.

He added:

“It will be an honour to lead the campaign for Labour in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

“My priorities in our area include tackling anti-social behaviour, building more affordable housing and working closely with David Skaith.

“I know Harrogate and Knaresborough well and enjoy campaigning there with the local Labour Party. I particularly enjoy the Knaresborough-based Turning Point Brewery which I have had a tour of in the past.”

The press release added:

“As a councillor, Conrad has delivered ward funding to fight the cost of living crisis and has recently taken a leading role in a campaign to stop a new takeaway in a residential area.

Harrogate-born Mr Skaith said:

“Conrad worked hard for my election campaign and has proven himself as a councillor. He will make an excellent Labour candidate for my home town.”

Chris Watt, chair of Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour Party, said:

“As Labour’s win in Harrogate and Knaresborough in the recent mayoral election showed, it’s all to play for locally and when Rishi Sunak finally has the courage to call the election the choice will be clear: more chaos under the Tories or real change and a fresh start with Labour.

“Conrad has shown that’s he an effective and energetic campaigner who gets results and we are looking forward to working with him for the people of Harrogate and Knaresborough.”

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Briggate left in ‘totally unacceptable’ state, says ex-Knaresborough mayor

Former Knaresborough mayor Philip Allott has said people have been put at risk by the half finished resurfacing of a busy town road.

Tarmac was removed from the surface of Briggate last night as part of scheduled resurfacing by North Yorkshire Council.

But the new surface has not been added and the uneven state of the highway, along with leftover debris and heavy rain, has made driving and cycling hazardous this morning.

Mr Allott, who is also a former North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said:

“The contractors have removed all the tarmac down to the low bridge and then left the site. Debris from potholes are putting pedestrians at risk.

“It’s totally unacceptable. Why haven’t they done it in sections as per recent tarmac work in Harrogate?”

The road is unsurfaced from the junction with the A59 to the low bridge, where temporary lights are in place.

This isn’t the first time Briggate has been in the news lately. A section of wall alongside the road fell in September 2022, leading to several months of temporary traffic lights until it was repaired.

The Stray Ferret has approached North Yorkshire Council for comment.

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Councillors pin hopes on Bilton to Hornbeam Park cycle path

Harrogate and Knaresborough councillors are set to spend £40,000 on design work that could eventually lead to a cycle path being created between Bilton and Hornbeam Park.

Each year, the area constituency committee is given a pot of money by North Yorkshire Council to go towards local projects.

Councillors put forward a host of ideas that could receive funding and the list has now been whittled down to the three that are considered to be most viable.

The prospect of a cycle route between Bilton and Hornbeam Park dates back to at least 2019 when North Yorkshire County Council commissioned consultants to draw up a cycle infrastructure plan for Harrogate.

With a distance of around 2.5km between the two areas, it would be one of the most ambitious cycle routes ever created in Harrogate if it came to fruition.

As the proposal is still in its early stages, no details have been given about which roads could be used though it could potentially take advantage of Slingsby Walk, a path adjacent to the Stray that is already accessible for cyclists.

When designs for the scheme are eventually drawn up, it’s hoped the council will have a “bid ready” scheme to apply for funding through the government’s Active Travel Fund.

There is also money available through the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority which is led by newly-elected Labour mayor David Skaith.

A report has been prepared for councillors ahead of a meeting next week where councillors are expected to give the green light for design work to begin.

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The council has modelled how successful a route between Bilton and Hornbeam Park could be and claims an extra 1,612 cycle trips a day is possible.

It said the cycle path could get people out of cars and remove a large amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year.

The council has faced strong criticism for its track record delivering cycle schemes in Harrogate from both Harrogate District Cycle Action and the public.

The one significant cycle route it has built in recent years, the Otley Road cycle path, has been lambasted for its “confusing” design that weaves on-and-off the pavement.

It has resulted in the section between Harlow Moor Road and Arthurs Avenue being largely ignored by cyclists who prefer to use the road with motorists.

Former Harrogate care home to be converted into flats

North Yorkshire Council has approved a plan to convert The Pines care home on Harlow Moor Drive into 12 flats.

The 28-bed care home was forced to close in 2016 following an inadequate rating by the regulator Care Quality Commission.

It sits in a prominent location opposite Valley Gardens and the Pinewoods in the town.

Plans by Ilkley-based developer Flatcap Properties LLP follow two refused bids to turn the building into flats.

However, in both cases, the council said the property had not been sufficiently marketed as a care home before the application was submitted. This is a requirement when changing the use of a care home to prove that it is no longer viable.

This time, the building was put up for sale as a care home for 12 months without any takers.

A report said due to its configuration, the property would be refused a new CQC registration due to small room sizes.

In the approved plans, the apartments will be formed through a subdivision of the building. However, some external changes are proposed primarily to create individual entrances to a number of apartments.

Residents will be able to use free on-street parking on Harlow Moor Drive.

A planning statement attached to the application said:

“To conclude, we believe the proposals provide a high-quality and attractive scheme and
represent a significant opportunity to secure the positive development of this redundant building, which will, in our view, enhance this site and the surrounding area as a whole.

“Overall, careful thought has been given to the design and layout of the proposed development and as such it is considered that the design of the proposal is appropriate, and it is our view that the new development will have a positive impact on this area of Harrogate.”

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