Health Secretary Matt Hancock has praised the speed of the covid vaccination rollout in the Harrogate district.

Responding to a question in the House of Commons yesterday from Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones, Mr Hancock said health staff in the district had done an “amazing job” delivering the vaccine.

He said it meant Harrogate had a higher number of residents vaccinated than the national average.

Mr Hancock said:

“May I put on the record my thanks to the team in Harrogate, who have done an amazing job vaccinating over 30,000 people — more than the national average, if my memory serves me correctly?

“I thank my honourable friend for his leadership in Harrogate and for supporting the team there to make this happen.”

Mr Jones had asked if the UK was on track to give everyone their second dose of the vaccine within 12 weeks of the first. Mr Hancock said it was.

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Data published last week by NHS England revealed that 48,000 people in the Harrogate district have now received one of the approved vaccines.

Harrogate, Ripon, and now Knaresborough, all have vaccination sites.

In an interview with the Stray Ferret, Dr Chris Preece, a GP partner in Boroughbridge and Knaresborough, said that Harrogate’s Great Yorkshire Showground site was able to carry out up to 1,800 vaccinations a day.

Residents in Rossett Green, Harrogate have expressed frustration at their local councillor for not explaining why he abstained to vote on a sensitive housing application.

In January, Harrogate Borough Council‘s planning committee gave developer Berkeley DeVeer final approval to build 14 homes on land at Rossett Green Lane.

The vote was passed by six votes to five.

Cllr John Mann, a Conservative who chairs the planning committee and whose Harrogate Pannal ward includes the Rossett Green site, abstained.

If the votes were tied, Cllr Mann as chair would have had the casting vote.

Local resident David Thompson said Cllr Mann has not responded to emails from at least six different people asking why he declined to vote.

He said:

“Residents were gobsmacked that he abstained. How can you not have an opinion on this?

“The fact he’s point-blank ignored our requests to know why he did vote this way is hardly the proper actions of an elected representative”.

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The application has a sensitive history. Harrogate Borough Council initially refused the plans in November 2016. A council document explaining the reason for refusal said it would “lead to an erosion of the rural character” of this part of Harrogate.

The decision was then overturned on appeal despite 37 objections. Many objections claimed the development would have a negative impact on the area.

The Stray Ferret called Cllr Mann but just after we explained what the call was about he said there was a poor reception and the line then went dead.

We called again but he did not answer so we left a message, which has not been returned. The council press office said it was a matter for Mr Mann.

Pinewoods Conservation Group is rallying support once again to prevent Harrogate Spring Water from expanding its bottling plant into Rotary Wood.

The water company, which is now owned by multinational firm Danone, was granted outline planning permission in 2017 to expand into Rotary Wood in the Pinewoods.

Danone recently bid to vary the terms of this by increasing the size of the bottling plant into the woodlands. Harrogate’s planning committee rejected this in January after almost 400 people objected.

Many objectors were jubilant at the outcome but the original outline permission in 2017 still applies.

Pinewoods Conservation Group now suspects it will be brought back to the council’s planning committee before May and warns that, if approved, will result in “massive ecological loss”.

Although it has outline permission, Danone would need to go through a second stage of the application process, known as reserved matters, to ratify details such as the appearance of the bottling plant and the felling of trees in Rotary Wood.

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A document prepared on behalf of Danone last year said the reserved matters application “is committed to retaining where possible as many trees on-site and relocating others”.

It adds that additional trees will be planted within Rotary Wood to replace those that would be lost.

A spokesman for Pinewoods Conservation Group, however, described the application as a “massive backwards step” from the one that was refused in January. He added:

“There is no offer of any compensatory land. That is a massive backwards step from the previous rejected application.

“If approved, this would result in a massive ecological loss for Harrogate and the Pinewoods. As such we are encouraging our members and supporters to formally object to this application as soon as possible.”

Harrogate Spring Water declined to comment.

Every month the Stray Ferret tries to find out what our local MPs have been up to in their constituencies and in the House of Commons.

In February the vaccination programme galloped ahead and prime minister Boris Johnson announced the UK’s roadmap out of lockdown.

We asked the district’s Conservative MPs- Harrogate & Knaresborough’s Andrew Jones, Ripon’s Julian Smith, and Selby and Ainsty’s Nigel Adams if they would like to highlight anything in particular that they have been doing this month, but we did not receive a response from any of them.

Here is what we know after analysing their online presence.

Andrew Jones, Conservative Harrogate and Knaresborough MP.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, here is what we found on Mr Jones:

• The MP published his annual report for 2020 which included facts and figures related to his last year in office. He wrote on his website that many copies had been emailed rather than posted as he “does not believe volunteer political leaflet delivery is an essential journey”.
• On February 2 Andrew Jones called for a debate in parliament about the conference industry after seeing the “real hardship” his constituents have faced.
• On February 12 Mr Jones wrote on his website that by that point 175,000 vaccinations had been delivered in North Yorkshire and York.
• Mr Jones chaired a Parliamentary Export Programme webinar, which included a talk from Greg Hatton from Harrogate Spring Water. ‘Exporting is fun!’, the MP told participants.
• On February 24, The MP voted down an amendment to the Fire Safety Bill which would have banned leaseholders from being forced to pay for cladding remediation works.
• Writing on his website on February 22, Mr Jones praised the government for the vaccination rollout. He wrote: “Although locked down with our everyday lives much restricted there is a palpable sense of relief in the air.”

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Conservative Julian Smith, MP for Ripon and Skipton.

In Ripon, here is what we found on Mr Smith:

• At PMQs on February 10, Mr Smith asked prime minister Boris Johnson how the UK’s vaccine supply chain will cope if the virus mutates. In his response, Mr Johnson said the UK is going to have to get used to the idea of vaccinating and then revaccinating in the autumn as it faces new variants.
• 7 of Mr Smith’s 11 tweets in February were related to Northern Ireland. February 13 marks a year since he was sacked by the prime minister as Northern Ireland secretary.
• Mr Smith announced on Twitter that his father-in-law has gifted him and his wife an ‘aphrodisiac themed’ take away meal to be delivered on Valentine’s Day.
• The MP asked people in Ripon to contribute to a consultation on flood defences following Storm Cristophe.
• On his Facebook page, he said the £60m scheme to improve the Kex Gill section of the A59 was “brilliant news” for Skipton and Ripon.

Nigel Adams, Conservative MP for Selby and Ainsty which includes rural Harrogate.

In rural south Harrogate, he is what we found on Mr Adams:

• The Minister for Asia twice summoned the Myanmar ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn to his office following the country’s military coup earlier this month. On February 23 he tweeted: “The increasing use of violence & force against protesters by the security forces is completely reprehensible & must stop”.
• Mr Adams paid tribute to Captain Tom Moore following his death at the age of 100. He wrote: “RIP. A true British hero”.
• The MP praised the BBC for showing a film of the rock band Muse. “Fantastic”, he tweeted.
• In written ministerial answers, Mr Adams discussed foreign powers and fake news. He wrote: “We know that certain states routinely use disinformation as a foreign policy tool and we all have our doubts about the objectivity of the reporting of RT, including through their UK television channel, which remains a tool of propaganda for the Russian State.”

Despite the spectre of a 3000-home “new settlement” eventually being built around Green Hammerton, a smaller application for 80 homes has arguably attracted just as much anger in the village.

Leeds-based developer Loxley Homes was granted outline planning permission to build the homes in January 2019 and the council’s planning committee is expected to consider a reserved matters application, that deals with the design and layout of the site, next month.

The homes would be built on Green Hills, an agricultural field that rises above the village and out towards York, where you can even see York Minster on a sunny day.

The original application received over 250 objections, more than the number of homes in Green Hammerton itself.

The plans also received an objection from Historic England who said the views towards York’s skyline are some of Green Hammerton’s “most precious but fragile qualities.”

Chris Chelton, founder of the Keep Green Hammerton Green campaign group said the homes will leave a “horrendous legacy” for villagers.

He said:

“The site stands out like a sore thumb and will project out on village on the hill to York. It’s an absolute travesty.”

Read more:

• Green Hammerton gets final approval for 3,000-home settlement

• Flaxby vs Green Hammerton: the saga so far…

After Harrogate Borough Council chose the area around Green Hammerton for a major expansion of housing in the district, ahead of Flaxby, the village has become synonymous with development.

The new homes could eventually see the village grow from 675 people to over 10,000.

Mr Chelton said it rankles that the Loxley scheme was granted outline permission during the years when Harrogate had no Local Plan, which he said “condemned” Green Hammerton to its current fate.

During that time, councillors say they were “forced” to approve major developments to boost housing numbers.

In November last year, villagers in Green Hammerton were encouraged after a HBC planning committee refused a reserved matters application in another historic village — Spofforth.

Like the Loxley proposal, the developer had outline planning permission but councillors agreed that the proposals in Spofforth would turn the historic village into a “carbuncle of urban sprawl”.

Loxley Homes was approached several times for comment but has not responded.

The Theakston’s Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival will take place this year in person, after being forced online in 2020.

The festival is one of the most popular events on Harrogate International Festivals‘ calendar and organisers are confident it will be able to happen after the government said all covid restrictions could be lifted from June 21.

This year’s edition is set to take place from July 22-25 at the Old Swan Hotel.

It will celebrate all forms of crime fiction, with a programme curated by programming chair Ian Rankin alongside the festival committee and the Harrogate International Festivals team.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, said:

“We are adapting and evolving our plans to be able to deliver a safe and agile festival in line with the government regulations at the time, with additional safety measures where necessary, whilst also ensuring the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival retains the iconic feel that has ensured its place as the most successful crime writing festival in the world.

“We remain optimistic about the year ahead and, like people across the UK, we are very much looking forward to the return of live events.”

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Festival-goers can expect a range of live author talks, panels and special guests, as well as some hybrid events to ensure that audiences who are unable to travel can access the festival.

Over 80% of early ticket bookers for the 2020 festival have already transferred their tickets to 2021.

The full author line-up, and news on when tickets are on sale, will be announced in the coming months.

The Lamb and Flag pub in Bishop Monkton could be converted into a retail or commercial unit after previous plans to turn it into housing were withdrawn.

Carol and Trevor Pawson submitted plans last year to convert the 200-year-old pub, which also had bed and breakfast rooms, into five homes.

However, planning documents on the Harrogate Borough Council website reveal that a new buyer for the pub has been found and they are expected to submit a fresh application for commercial and retail space on the site.

The Pawson family declined to comment on the future of the building when asked by the Stray Ferret.

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Bishop Monkton, which the Domesday Book referred to as the Tun of the monks, has seen an increase in residential development over the last 50 years.

Despite new developments and growing populations, village pubs have found it difficult to survive.

At one time, there were seven pubs within Bishop Monkton’s parish boundaries but it is now currently served by just the Mason’s Arms.

Nearby Burton Leonard lost a pub in recent years when the Hare and Hounds was replaced by housing.

Harrogate Borough Council has granted the Ministry of Defence planning permission to build a new 30-metre high radome and electrical substation at RAF Menwith Hill.

It follows an application last year from the MoD to build three more radomes at the site, which was also passed.

There are now over 30 distinctive radomes, or “golf balls”, at the secretive site. The radomes are believed to house satellites and transmitters.

Washburn Parish Council said it was concerned by the expansion, as well as the detrimental visual impact created by the new radome.

However, it said it “recognises the important security roll” that Menwith Hill plays.

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In granting the application, council case officer Mike Parkes said the national security benefits of the radome outweighed its “harmful effects” on the Nidderdale landscape.

Built in the 1950s on the edge of Nidderdale, Menwith Hill is the United States’ largest overseas surveillance base.

Since 2000, protestors have taken part in a weekly demonstration outside Menwith Hill, which has been halted due to lockdown.

Sarah Swift, from the Menwith Hill Accountability Campaign group, said:

“We find the expansion of the site and of the base’s operations very worrying indeed.

“We believe that the activities of the base do not enhance the security of our area, our country or our world.”

Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition has voted to become an independent organisation from Harrogate Borough Council.

HDCCC was set up by the council over a year ago to bring together local government, green groups and businesses.

However, since its formation the coalition has faced criticism from members for a perceived slow progress in tackling climate change.

Last night, local Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Pat Marsh resigned from the group accusing it of being “plagued by inaction”.

In July last year environmental campaigner, Malcolm Margolis,  also resigned citing a “lack of action”. 

Kirsty Hallett, communications lead for HDCCC, declined to comment on Cllr Marsh’s resignation but said the group’s new structure will help it achieve its goal of reducing carbon emissions in the district.

She said HDCCC could decide to become a Community Interest Company or a Charitable Incorporated Organisation which could open up new funding opportunities.

Ms Hallett said:

“Whatever is decided, the intention will be to form a structure which has a legal status independent of HBC and as such is able to seek funding to increase the scope of our activity. However, whatever structure is decided upon, it is clear that HDCCC will continue to work closely with local businesses, HBC, NYCC and other policy makers, as all organisations need to collaborate to ensure a net zero future for our district.”

Read more:

• Is Harrogate big enough for two major climate coalitions?

• Harrogate has ‘much more to do on climate change’

HDCCC also announced that Professor Neil Coles from the University of Leeds has been appointed its new chair, replacing Cllr Phil Ireland.

The group hopes the environment and sustainability specialist will be able to build on relationships with rural businesses, farmers and others who are developing natural climate solutions.

Cllr Ireland added:

“We welcome Professor Neil Coles as the new chair of Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition. These are exciting times for the coalition as we embrace a new governance model. This positive move towards having the coalition chaired independently from the council will secure wider buy-in and open up funding opportunities.”

The Lingerie Room in Harrogate is to close this year.

Owner Nicola Silcock moved the business from Settle to its current site on Tower Street five years ago.

But she says the changing retail landscape has led her to shut up shop for good in July.

Ms Silcock plans to reopen in April when lockdown restrictions ease but only to sell the last of her remaining stock.

She said that despite having a loyal customer base, a reduction in footfall in Harrogate made the shop less financially viable.

She said:

“People are too busy and ordering shopping online is so easy.”

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The landlord of the building recently submitted a change of use application to Harrogate Borough Council to convert the shop into a home.

Ms Silcock was positive about the future of retail in Harrogate despite the ongoing challenges.

She added:

“I still believe Harrogate can sustain all the small businesses and you’ll always have smaller independent shops here. There’s entrepreneurial people out there.”