Stray Ferret Readers, Author at The Stray Ferret

Stray Views: Why would Starbeck need a ‘little temple’?

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Why would Starbeck need a ‘little temple’?

In response to a Starbeck community group’s offer to take on Harrogate’s ‘little temple’.

I’m not sure why Mr Hart thinks Starbeck needs this piece of concrete but I certainly don’t feel ‘neglected’. Nor do I think having it would make anyone feel less so.

We have a library which provides an excellent service and doubles as a social hub. It is well supported by local people and businesses.

We have proactive churches and excellent councillors. We have open space and easy access to rail and bus services. Added to which there is a great community spirit.

We even have our own swimming baths. To ensure we continue to retain and keep control of these assets we need to make sure that Harrogate has a town council when everything goes to North Yorkshire.

Diane Stokes, Starbeck

Few people using Harrogate village buses

In response to North Yorkshire County Council’s warning over bus services.

During this year I have had many days out using various bus routes though local villages just to enjoy the ride.

I have been amazed at how few people get on or off during these journeys but I bet if the bus company announced that they are stopping the service there would be an outcry from the people who live there.

Paul Smith, Knaresborough

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

Stray Views: Thousands of visitors will miss Harrogate

This first letter relates to this week’s news that the Harrogate Convention Centre will no longer host the 15-day International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival after the organisers claimed costs had doubled. The director of the HCC then responded saying the loss of the festival would a limited economic impact.

Dear Editor,

We think it is fair to say that figures – and in particular, the costs of “in-kind” services can be interpreted in many different ways.

Fallacy somewhere, I fancy! (Ruddigore, W S Gilbert)

We are delighted that CEO Paula Lorimer feels that the town will not miss the Festival.

Still, we know that our thousands of visitors will certainly miss the beautiful Royal Hall, the outstanding hotels, and the fabulous restaurants and facilities. And so will we!

It’s an unjust world, and virtue is triumphant only in theatrical performances (The Mikado, W S Gilbert)

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. We are bringing a fantastic New Year Gala Concert to The Royal Hall on January 7, 2023, and we promise there’s no discount in sight! The outstanding National Festival Orchestra and international opera stars will perform all those wonderful favourites.

It will be a great way to celebrate the New Year.

You can book your tickets at www.gsfestivals.org or by phone on 01422 323252.

We look forward to seeing everyone there.

Life’s a pudding full of plums (The Gondoliers, W S Gilbert)

Bernard Lockett, The International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival.

Too much rubbish in the Harrogate district

The council in their wisdom have welcomed with open arms developers to bury the countryside in acre after acre of new homes.

Now surprise, surprise, these new residents are actually creating lots of rubbish and recycling.

The council now reveal they do not have enough bin operatives or vehicles to remove said rubbish etc. More stores etc are creating industrial amounts of waste. Once again, not enough staff to remove it. I am led to believe that not much of the recycling is actually dealt with as it should be.

I suspect when the new council takes over this situation is likely to deteriorate.

William B Thompson, Harrogate

Stray Views: why build Maltkiln when Flaxby would be better?

Flaxby development would be ‘much better’ than Maltkiln plan

In March, Harrogate Borough Council planning officer Kate Broadbank said the development would have a negative impact on the district’s natural environment as well as harming views from the nearby Temple of Victory, which is Grade II* listed.

Ms Broadbank wrote:

“The scale and layout are considered to have an unacceptable adverse impact upon the district’s natural and historic environment.

“In addition, the application site is not considered to be accessible to local services nor is it demonstrated that an acceptable connection to public utilities can be achieved.”

It begs the question what the council has against the development of Flaxby considering the incinerator can be used to provide heating and hot water to homes. Much better than using the development of Maltkiln to widen the A59 also trains do not go to the nearest significant shopping centre Clifton Moor.

Catherine Alderson, Harrogate

Stray Views: Knox Lane housing scheme ‘lacks detail’

‘Inconceivable’ Knox Lane housing scheme can go ahead

Regarding the proposed full planning application for 53 residential dwellings at Knox Lane, it is inconceivable that Harrogate Borough Council are prepared to push forward with this without addressing any of the 313 objections that have been submitted.

I would further add that there are no supporting comments added. Fulcrum to this is the historical use of the proposed site.

Damian Bowen, Harrogate

Knox Lane housing scheme ‘lacks detail’

In reference to the proposed 52 homes on Knox Lane in Harrogate.

I am writing to express my dismay at the decision by the Harrogate Borough Council’s planning officer to recommend the application be deferred for approval at the next planning committee meeting on Tuesday.

How can the Harrogate Borough Council planning committee have any confidence in the quality of this application given the current documentation submitted contradicts itself and contains a total lack of required detailed information regarding retaining walls, limited traffic, ecology and contaminated ground surveys and no electric charging point locations?

Given this lack of assessment of public and professional comments, surely the planning department could be leaving themselves open to a judicial review?

Stephen Readman, Harrogate

Voters ‘have to be realistic’

We have to be realistic. Anyone who is appalled at Liz Truss’s approach to sorting out the economy. i.e giving vast amounts to the rich in the hope that it will trickle down to the poor, has to realise that the only way to get the Tories out and restore fairness and our public services is to vote for candidates most likely to defeat them.

In Harrogate, the only way is to vote for the Lib Dems. If the other parties don’t realise it’s in their interests to stand down, then we the electorate have to take the only way open to us to get rid of the Tories, which in Harrogate means voting for the Lib Dems.

Barbara Penny, Harrogate

Stray Views: Concerns over Scotton Weir removal on River Nidd

Concerns over Scotton Weir removal

Over the last few years, ecologists and others have been busy building dams and weirs in streams throughout the UK in order to slow the flow of water into river catchments thereby reducing the impact of flooding. It’s been pretty successful, dams and weirs are well known to help in lessening the impact of flooding. Indeed, in some areas we now employ beavers to do it for us.

Why then has Scotton Weir on the River Nidd been removed?

Scotton Weir has, for over 200 years, held back thousands of cubic metres of flood water that will now race down the catchment increasing flooding and the risk of flooding in Knaresborough and downstream communities.

The work, as I understand it, is to help fish migrate upstream towards Harrogate North sewage treatment works outfalls and west which is great news for the fish but not so for those at risk of flooding.

I did ask the scheme promoter for comment, he didn’t have the courtesy to respond. I spoke to North Yorkshire County Council’s flood and water management team who describe themselves as “the lead local flood authority” — they batted it on to the Environment Agency quicksticks and I finally got a lengthy and rather tedious phone call from a chap at the EA who assured me I was wrong and that there would be no impact on downstream flooding.

I hope he’s right but I fear he isn’t.

David Howarth, Bilton

Call for Knaresborough cemetery group to be formed

Responding to Jayne Jackson’s letter regarding the cemetery in Knaresborough, I think it would be really helpful if a ‘Friends of the Cemetery’ group was formed.

It could then formulate policy and practice about how the cemetery is managed. Personally, I’m always aiming to maximise biodiversity and wildlife havens, since humans destroy so much nature all the time, so we need to find places where we can give nature a home.

It seems to me that cemeteries are an ideal place to have wild areas, as long as there are pathways so that it’s still possible to get close to the graves.

Many cemeteries have this policy, such as the wonderful York Cemetery, Sharow Church, and now also St John’s Church in Knaresborough.

Shan Oakes, Knaresborough

Queen’s great-grandchildren were well behaved

The most important part of a funeral if you have to take your children, for them to pay their, respects to their great grandma the Queen is that they know how to behave in the service and try to follow and understand what is going on.

I congratulate William and Kate on their upbringing of their children. It was a very long day for two young people. Their behaviour was impeccable when required.

If the children outside of the service behaved as children do, it doesn’t matter. They are human children

Any grown up does not have the right to criticise any parents about the behaviour outside the services their children have had to go through.

Margaret Beckingham, Harrogate

Stray Views: I met the new King at Bettys in Harrogate

I worked for Taylor’s and Betty’s and had been off work with a very bad shoulder but I was invited to a special day at the Parliament Street café to meet the Prince Charles, now the King.

I and all in attendance on that day felt and feel so privileged to have shaken his hand and have a chat. When asked what I did , saying I worked at the Taylor’s part of the business and that we try to make the best cup of tea, he gave me a big pat on my shoulder and I winced.

I still suffer with pain but that is not from the royal pat but now old age.

Long live my King.

Terence Mason, Harrogate

My husband, Richard, and I are on holiday in Alassio, Italy and were in a gin bar when we heard the dreaded news that the Queen had so very sadly died. We were both in tears.

Today we found a hand written letter from the manager of our hotel, The Grand Hotel Alassio, expressing his deepest condolences to the Royal Family, Governments and all citizens of the UK and Commonwealth countries.

He also said the profound dignity for which she held office for such a long period has been an increasing source of admiration for generations. We were so very touched that our lovely monarch meant much to people of other countries and cried again.

JoJo Haytet, Harrogate

Stray Views: Knaresborough Cemetery deserves more care

Knaresborough Cemetery deserves more care too

I see Mark Anthony Taylor (previous Stray Views) is unhappy with the way the grass is cut at Stonefall. You are lucky. We have had this for the past four years to my knowledge.

Knaresborough has seen even worse service with the grass cutting team regularly pulled off for six weeks at a time from cutting our cemetery grass. The response I got was they are letting it grow for biodiversity.

This was in the “new section” where it was thigh high in places. The team meanwhile were planting pretty flowers in Harrogate. Be grateful your grass is cut.

Jayne Jackson, Knaresborough

Oak Beck land sale

I totally agree that this should never be sold – it provides a safe place for wildlife, play areas and walks.

Harrogate Borough Council getting it wrong again.

Gillian Long, Harrogate

Stray Views: Where can we go to escape the stresses of life in Harrogate?

Selling of council land at Oak Beck

The council have now decided to flog off this last piece of green space in New Park. Apparently to provide a bit of dosh to prop up the
conference centre business in fear of Leeds grabbing OUR visitors.

Piece by piece this lacklustre council having spent lots of dosh on pointless and ineffective plans and schemes, now are evicting wildlife from the final vestiges of natural environment.

This is a lovely area of peace, where we can hear the birds, and listen to the beck gurgling it’s way (sometimes sewage as well).

Where are all these creatures to go? Where can we go to escape the stresses of life in Harrogate? Another rotten plan from a soon to be defunct council.

William B Thompson, New Park, Harrogate

Reduction in the Fire Service in Harrogate.

I have not seen the details of this proposal to fully comment.

However, since the Harrogate fire station was built some years ago and staffed with the suitable staff levels and appliances, Harrogate has expanded massively with additional housing and industrial units.

Just looking from my car driving into Harrogate by the A59 or by Penny Pot. Huge housing developments. Industrial units near the Army College. Even Killinghall has probably doubled in size with additional housing.

This is happening throughout the area.

Then there’s the condition of the older existing properties both housing , retail and business premises.
These properties will have been modified over the years and retail and business properties may well have not had proper upgrading of fire resistance ( work done on the cheap).

These older properties will have timber roofing members, floor joists which will be now tinder dry and with the change in climate, plus heating and other equipment not being updated, the fire risk will have increased quite a lot.

Remember the huge fire next to what was the North Eastern pub some years ago?

Any reduction will impact public safety.

So any reductions seem unwise!!

Allan Campbell, Harrogate

Starbeck should support KFC expansion – a response

William Powell makes some good points in his call for Starbeck’s KFC to be expanded, but he is wrong to dismiss the views of local people.

He is right that Starbeck is in a wonderful strategic position between Harrogate and Knaresborough, with excellent transport links. He is right that empty premises on our High Street are a bad thing.

He is right that Starbeck has a vibrant economy, but this is driven by the local residents of our diverse area who use these shops and facilities. But they are also impacted by those businesses, whether its litter, noise, traffic or a range of other issues that local people regularly raise with the Residents’ Association.

So the Starbeck Residents’ Association (SRA) asked people who live locally what they thought about KFC’s plans and others. And views were split. Some thought it was most important to fill empty premises. Others wanted a wider diversity of businesses on a High Street that already has plenty of takeaways. Both are right and not contradictory.

The SRA recognises that we cannot force particular enterprises into a particular area. That’s why we are in touch with the local Chamber of Commerce and others about what more we can do to promote Starbeck. It has a well used library, swimming pool, successful sports clubs and facilities like Belmont Park and a real sense of community, with numerous local voluntary groups attached to our vibrant church communities and many others.

So let’s be ambitious for our area. I know I’m not alone in being proud to live in Starbeck and together we can make it better.

Chris Watt, Chair Starbeck Residents’ Association

Stray Views: Starbeck should support KFC expansion

Starbeck should support KFC expansion

Thank you for your recent coverage of the KFC expansion. I’m saddened by the responses of Starbeck residents to the expansion of a successful business, and the demonisation of the industry as a whole.

Starbeck has rightly or wrongly become a refuge for the care system, the homeless, and people needing supported and sheltered accommodation. These people don’t have the incomes to support lovely deli’s and independent retail units that some residents loudly protest we should have. The businesses in Starbeck need to survive in a tough local environment. However, they can use the strategic location between Harrogate and Knaresborough to reach a massive local market and we should support them in doing so.

Empty shops bring disasters like McColl’s burnt out shell and feed a vicious cycle of crime and poverty. On an evening, our high street is a hive of activity and there is a real hustle and bustle thanks to our takeaways and food outlets. We should be leaning into this to create a real foodie destination to bring more jobs and improve Starbeck’s reputation.

Any one of us could take over these empty shops and start a business. If they believe there is a genuine demand for smaller retail shops, then I would challenge them to put their money where their mouth is.

William Powell, Starbeck

Stonefall Cemetery deserves more care

Stonefall Cemetery has traditionally been kept beautifully and was always cared for. However it seems this year the grass cutting is rough, careless and damaging.

I have noted now that the last five cuts have been made with heavy machines which aren’t really suitable for delicate areas. The cut grass is being left and is now preventing new growth, leaving the plots looking awful. I’m sure the council realises this is a graveyard and not a roadside verge. Our families deserve more care and respect.

I contacted Stonefall and they were sorry to hear my complaint but told me that the council had changed the garden team before Christmas.

I also frequent Harrogate Valley Gardens in Harrogate, which is beautifully cared for. Shouldn’t we provide the same care for our dearly departed?

Mark Anthony Taylor, Harrogate

Gateway correspondence response

In response to last week’s Stray Views letter regarding Station Gateway being “long overdue”, I note that the correspondent lives in Knaresborough.

Gillian Long, Harrogate

Stray Views: Harrogate Station Gateway scheme is ‘long overdue’

Station Gateway is ‘long overdue’

I’ve read the debate and articles, many of them in the Stray Ferret and have become increasingly disillusioned by the negativity. I think it’s now time for those like me who think this proposal is long overdue to say so.

It’s not perfect and personally I would like it to go further, but it goes some way to rebalancing the area in favour of those who choose/have to walk and cycle and to revitalise this area. It will help reconnect the town centre with surrounding communities and better link the railway and bus stations to the town. This type of scheme has been successfully done in other towns and cities and has proved truly transformative.

Station Parade is a ‘great’ example of the type of traffic planning which was inflicted on communities in the last century, across the country. These ring roads were designed to speed traffic through towns but with little regard for the impacts of the surrounding communities or other forms of transport.

With this scheme we now have a chance to start to put some of this right.

Much of the debate has been about how many seconds will be added to journeys and the impact on businesses. With the reduced impact of traffic in this area, better connection of the town centre and a revitalised local area, there must be the potential for a better business environment. There may be some extra seconds on journeys but the bigger picture of improved lives and business success must surely be worth it.

Let’s not also forget that this scheme is being achieved through external government finance, a pretty rare thing these days. If we miss this opportunity and fail to deliver, don’t be surprised if the next time we ask for help there is a sceptical response.

So let’s get behind this scheme and show what we’re capable of achieving.

The consultation closes on 23 August. Have your say, it will be too late afterwards wishing you’d bothered to respond, when the doom merchants talk it out of time. Fill in the survey here.

Ian Brown, Knaresborough

Relief at Beech Grove LTN end

Thank goodness the boxes are to be removed.

We used Beech Grove to park our car for the last 50 years as it allowed us to walk on the Stray for pleasure or just going into the town centre. Why did Beech Grove almost always have parking space available?

With the boxes installed we had no means of taking pleasure of walking across the Stray.

It is almost impossible to have a walk on any of the Stray as all parking places are occupied nearly all day. This makes the Stray a useless piece of land as the residents of the area plus visitors cannot use it.

Going back to Beech Grove, I have always thought that it should be a one way going up from The Avenue to Otley Road. As a two way traffic route it meant that a lot of speeding took place to get past the cars parked on it.

Allan Campbell, Harrogate

Why would Starbeck need a ‘little temple’?

Read more:

Few people using Harrogate village buses

Too much rubbish in the Harrogate district

Read More:

Flaxby development would be ‘much better’ than Maltkiln plan

‘Inconceivable’ Knox Lane housing scheme can go ahead

Knox Lane housing scheme ‘lacks detail’

Read more:

Voters ‘have to be realistic’

Concerns over Scotton Weir removal

Call for Knaresborough cemetery group to be formed

Read more:

Queen’s great-grandchildren were well behaved

Read More:

Knaresborough Cemetery deserves more care too

Read more:

Oak Beck land sale

Selling of council land at Oak Beck

Reduction in the Fire Service in Harrogate.

Read More

Starbeck should support KFC expansion – a response

Starbeck should support KFC expansion

Read more:

Stonefall Cemetery deserves more care

Gateway correspondence response

Station Gateway is ‘long overdue’

Read more:

Relief at Beech Grove LTN end