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:
Harrogate climate coalition to be independent from council“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.”
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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:
Harrogate lingerie shop to close“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:
Harrogate man denied entry to Europe to care for 98-year-old mum“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.”
Dominic Fazzone from Harrogate was refused entry to Europe to care for his 98-year-old mother who is recovering from covid.
Mr Fazzone drove to Folkstone last Wednesday to catch the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle service as he wanted to look after his mum Filomena who lives in the Benevento province of Italy.
Her two full-time carers have now also caught the virus, leaving her without the care she normally relies upon.
Mr Fazzone says he arrived at the port with proof of a negative covid test, a travel curfew exemption, a travel certificate, and a health declaration.
He ticked a box on the travel certificate that permits travel for “compelling family reasons”, which includes providing assistance to the elderly, sick or disabled who have no other support.
Before driving onto the train, passengers have to first show documents to a UK customs official before a French one.
After being given the green light to travel by the UK side, he said the French official was “rude and arrogant” and told him he could not travel, forcing him to turn around and drive back to Harrogate.
He said:
“He had no compassion. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the papers.”
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Mr Fazzone said his mum, who has signs of dementia, was confused and upset when he did not arrive in Italy.
“She was very upset and she was crying on the phone. She keeps asking my niece when I am coming.”
He said he will try to make the trip again this Friday when he hopes to be allowed into Europe to see his mum.
A spokesperson for Le Shuttle said:
Lib Dem leader resigns from Harrogate climate coalition“Any decision on whether to allow a person to enter France is the responsibility of the French authorities.”
Pat Marsh, the leader of Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats, has resigned from the Harrogate District Climate Change Coalition, accusing the group of being “plagued by inaction”.
HDCCC was set up by Harrogate Borough Council over a year ago to bring together local government, green groups and business.
HBC described the group as a “great leap forward” for the environment but the coalition has faced accusations from members over the past year that it is little more than a “talking shop”.
In a letter to Cllr Phil Ireland, HBC’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, Cllr Marsh said the group had not done enough to tackle climate change locally.
She also criticised the group for its “neutral” response to Harrogate Spring Water’s controversial application in the Pinewoods. She said:
“A climate coalition’ was never our preferred option. We were always concerned that it would be plagued by inaction. Nevertheless, I and others joined the committee to push for positive change from the inside.
“However, our initial fears have been proven correct and it’s clear that only by engaging with residents across the district – bringing them into the process – do we have any hope of tackling this crisis.
“Liberal Democrat campaigners and I will continue working with local residents for a greener district, fighting to declare a local climate emergency and for bold solutions.”
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The Lib Dems have long called for the council to declare a “climate emergency”, which has been rejected.
HDCCC has four subgroups, which meet several times a year to discuss issues such as sustainable transport, tree planting, renewable energy, recycling and communications.
The Stray Ferret approached HBC and HDCCC for comment but did not receive one by the time of publication.
Government to build 800 homes in Harrogate and RiponThe government’s housing agency, Homes England, announced today it will build over 800 homes in Harrogate and Ripon after the previous developers pulled out.
Homes England said it has bought the 450-home Bluecoat Park site off Otley Road in Harrogate and the 390-home West Lane site in Ripon.
It said the two developments had stalled for various reasons, including the “associated enabling costs” and that their planning permissions were due to lapse imminently.
Homes England now has a major presence in the district: it is already working on a 1,300 scheme at Ripon Barracks and 200 homes at the former Police Training Centre site on Yew Tree Lane, Harrogate.
Bluecoat Park, Harrogate – 450 homes
In February 2016, Harrogate Borough Council granted planning permission to HTH Harrogate LLP to build the homes.
It followed an earlier refusal of permission on the grounds of road safety and traffic flow problems.
The site is off Otley Road, opposite Cardale Business Park and Harrogate Police Station.
The proposals included retail units, a new primary school and a village green.
However, the developer since put the site up for sale to potential developers.
With planning permission due to lapse, Homes England said the homes would not be built unless it stepped in. It plans to submit a new planning application later this year.
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West Lane, Ripon – 390 homes
In 2018, Harrogate Borough Council granted permission to Barratt Homes on appeal for the development.
It was previously rejected in 2017 for being a “substantial intrusion into the open countryside” and its impact on nearby Studley Royal and Fountains Abbey.
However, last summer Barratt Homes pulled out of the scheme.
The developer told The Stray Ferret that the decision was not related to the lockdown but in a year-end trading update, the company announced its revenue had fallen by 30% due to the coronavirus pandemic.
‘Fantastic news for Harrogate’
Both schemes are set to include 40% affordable housing, which Harrogate Borough Council asks developers to include in most developments.
Housing Minister Christopher Pincher said the acquisitions were “fantastic news” for the district.
“This is fantastic news for Harrogate and a realisation of this government’s mission to deliver quality, affordable homes, that are fit for future generations.”
Trevor Watson, director of economy and culture, Harrogate Borough Council, said:
Harrogate builder left £30,000 conversion ‘in such a state’ it was demolished“We welcome Homes England’s involvement in seeking to bring forward and unlock these stalled sites.
“They are important in helping to deliver our strategic objective to provide new homes that meet the needs of the district.”
Harrogate builder James Moss has been ordered to repay a customer after a court heard a £30,000 garage conversion was so poor it had to be partly demolished.
Karen Macgillivray-Fallis, from Burton Leonard, told a virtual hearing at Harrogate Justice Centre yesterday that in 2018 she paid Mr Moss to create a living space for her mother-in-law.
Unhappy with the quality of work, she asked Mr Moss to either reimburse the money or continue working. He then ended contact with her.
She said:
“We heard nothing from you. My elderly mother-in-law was very poorly at the time. The build took five months not four or five weeks like you had said. We just wanted the thing finished. Despite various attempts to communicate, you never responded.”
District Judge Helen Wood ordered Mr Moss to pay Ms Macgillivray-Fallis £9,586 plus costs. The small claims court has a £10,000 upper claims limit.
The judge accepted this would mean that Ms Macgillivray-Fallis “is going to be out of pocket”.
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Chartered quantity surveyor Peter Slater told Judge Wood that Mr Moss’ work on the extension did not comply with building regulations. Mr Moss disputed this.
The half-finished extension.
Mr Slater said there were problems with the plumbing, plastering, insulation and electrics and recommended that the extension was demolished.
He added.
“Works were in such a bad state that you would have to demolish the extension and rebuild it.”
Defending himself, Mr Moss said he was only an employee of Yorkshire Outdoor Design, the company contracted to do the work.
The sole director of the company, which has now been dissolved, was Mr Moss’ wife.
Judge Wood struck out this defence and said Mr Moss “had provided no evidence” that he wasn’t the frontman of the company.
The case was originally due to be held in December 2020 but was adjourned after Mr Moss told the court he was self-isolating.
Severe pruning of Harrogate hedgerow sparks wildlife fearsHarrogate Borough Council has been accused of jeopardising wildlife by severely pruning a hedgerow this morning.
Neil Hind, a local resident, told the Stray Ferret the council’s decision to “dramatically reduce” the height of the hedgerow on Nursery Lane, Harlow Hill could have a negative impact on wildlife.
Mr Hind, who said the hedges were previously well-managed by local charity Horticap, said it also raised questions about the council’s green credentials.
The RSPB recommends avoiding hedge cutting during the main breeding season for nesting birds, which usually runs from March to August each year.
But the depth of the reduction, so close to the breeding season, has caused concern.
Mr Hind said:
“Whilst appreciating this is the council’s prerogative it has an obvious negative impact on the biodiversity of the area adjacent to the Pinewoods.
“It is difficult to see how such decisions match the council’s ambitious to be a green authority as well as incurring unnecessary costs for the Harrogate taxpayer.”
The Harlow Hill Tower Twitter account also expressed concern.
Wow! More evidence of our green & conservation focused @Harrogatebc cutting a mature hedge.
Hedge a home to many birds and key to biodiversity?#Harrogate #conversation pic.twitter.com/SWEmdthue5
— Harlow Hill Tower (@HarlowHillTower) February 22, 2021
But one reply defended the council, saying severe hedge pruning at this time of year was common.
Read more:
- Harrogate has ‘much more to do on climate change’
- Twelve more weeks of road closures for Harlow Hill
A council spokesman said:
Stump Cross Caverns issues plea for survival“We carry out maintenance like this to keep things looking smart across the borough during the winter period before the nesting season begins.
“As people on Twitter are saying – farmers do the same with their hedgerows but they use much bigger machinery.”
The family which owns Stump Cross Caverns near Pateley Bridge is raffling off its prized camper van in an effort to save the business from going under.
Stump Cross Caverns is a popular tourist attraction where visitors can walk around an ancient limestone cave system.
But it’s been hit hard by covid restrictions which have left owners Lisa Bowerman and Nicholas Markham in a precarious financial position.
Lisa took over the business 18 years ago and told the Stray Ferret that 2020 was “shaping up to be our best year yet”.
The couple had just invested £500,000 into the business including a 4k cinema and new cafe.
But covid has meant they have been unable to welcome visitors for much of the last year.
And although they managed to open during summer and autumn, it was with reduced numbers.
Lisa said:
“We’re looking down the barrel of a gun. It’s tough, and there’s a real danger we won’t make it.
“But I’ve put my heart and soul into this business and I cannot just sit and do nothing.”
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The business received a bounce-back loan from the government last year but the money has almost run out.
To fundraise during the first lockdown Lisa and Nicholas took part in an “Everest” challenge which saw them walking the steps to the cave 1000 times — the same distance as climbing Mount Everest twice.
This time they hope to raise £50,000 through raffling off their beloved VW camper van which they say will give the business a fighting chance of survival.
Lisa added:
“We can buy a camper van back but we won’t be able to get our cave back if it’s gone.”
Click here to buy a ticket to be put into a raffle. One ticket costs £10.
Harrogate district reports 17 more covid cases17 more coronavirus cases have been reported today in the Harrogate district.
It takes the total number of reported cases to 7,178 since the start of the pandemic.
Yesterday the district reached a sombre milestone as the 150th person died in hospital after being diagnosed with covid.
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Tomorrow a new vaccination site will open up in Knaresborough, at the site of the former Lidl supermarket on York Road.
The site will be run by Homecare Pharmacy Services, a Knaresborough-based pharmacist.
Prime minister Boris Johnson is due to announce the UK’s roadmap out of lockdown tomorrow, with schools expected to reopen on March 8.
To bring home the human cost of the pandemic in our district, the Stray Ferret would like to publish tributes from those who have been hit hardest by covid and help to tell their story.
If you have lost someone close to you due to the virus and want to pay tribute to them, get in touch on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.