North Yorkshire Police has issued a £1,000 fixed penalty notice for a breach of coronavirus regulations at a hotel in Harrogate on New Year’s Eve.

Last week the Stray Ferret published claims that Harrogate hotelier Simon Cotton flouted covid restrictions by holding a party for himself and 10 friends at the Yorkshire Hotel on New Year’s Eve. Mr Cotton has consistently denied the allegations.

The Stray Ferret spoke to multiple sources who allege the party ate on a single table, did not observe social distancing and that speakers were brought in to play music with bar staff on hand to serve drinks into the early hours of the morning.

The party stayed in the hotel overnight and new staff were then brought in to serve the group breakfast on New Year’s Day.

Our sources say some staff were extremely unhappy at being asked to work but feared for their jobs if they refused.

North Yorkshire Police issued the following statement today:

“An investigation into an alleged breach of coronavirus regulations at a hotel in Harrogate on New Year’s Eve has now concluded. As a result, North Yorkshire Police have issued the person responsible for the venue with a fixed penalty notice of £1,000 fine.”

Government covid legislation gives police powers to issue a £1,000 fixed penalty notice for business-related breaches. This is increased to £2,000, £4,000, and £10,000 for repeat offences.

Read more:

• Claims well-known Harrogate hotelier held illegal New Year’s Eve party

• Police investigating alleged illegal New Year’s Eve party at Harrogate hotel

• HRH Group silent on illegal party allegations at the Yorkshire Hotel

The Stray Ferret contacted the HRH Group, which owns the Yorkshire Hotel as well as the Fat Badger and the White Hart Hotel, and Mr Cotton for a response but we had not received one by the time of publication.

Mr Cotton has continued to be active on Twitter since the Stray Ferret story broke, including a retweet that paid tribute to the NHS. He has also posted pictures of himself delivering food to customers from the Fat Badger.

Harrogate Spring Water has welcomed a council report that recommends councillors approve the company’s controversial expansion plans.

A report published by HBC case officer Mark Williams’ recommends the firm’s plans to extend its bottling plant by 40% are deferred and approved subject to a section 106 legal agreement being drawn up for biodiversity. This would confirm where trees that would be felled in an area of the Pinewoods known as Rotary Wood would be replanted.

Rob Pickering, sales and marketing manager for Harrogate Spring Water said welcomed the council’s recommendation:

“We’re pleased with the outcome of the planning committee report and are grateful for the council’s support with this application.”

“We’d like to reassure the local community that the plan for Rotary Wood places a huge focus on supporting the local environment and promoting biodiversity.

Read more:

• TV presenter criticises Harrogate Spring Water’s Pinewoods plans

• Harrogate Spring Water’s Pinewoods plans set for approval

The HBC report recommends the plans are deferred and approved subject to a section 106 legal agreement being drawn up for biodiversity that confirms where the trees would be replanted.

Mr Pickering added:

“Our plans include a commitment to replacing the trees on a two for one basis and a long term plan to ensure they are looked after and protected. And for the area of Rotary Woods that will remain as woodland, we will be investing to enhance its accessibility and usability for the community.”

“We are and will continue to be good considerate neighbours within Harrogate. We’ll look to work with everyone around us to ensure they play a key part in shaping the area.”

The council’s planning committee will meet on Tuesday next week to consider the proposals.

Who is on the planning committee?

Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee is made up of 12 councillors. 9 are Conservatives, two are Liberal Democrats and one is a Ripon Independent.

They usually meet every three weeks to make decisions on bigger, more sensitive planning applications. Since the covid pandemic began in March, meetings have taken place online and are streamed live on YouTube for anyone to watch.

Despite the recommendation to approve the Pinewoods proposals, the committee could still refuse it. Councillors have gone against HBC officer recommendations on two other high-profile occasions in recent months.

In November, they refused a 72-home reserved matters application in Spofforth and earlier this month they approved St Aidan’s secondary school’s application to build a 3G artificial sports pitch.

Harrogate Spring Water’s Pinewoods proposals have had a huge public response which could influence the decision of councillors. At the time of publication, it has garnered 328 objections and 28 in favour.

TV presenter Julia Bradbury has described Harrogate Spring Water’s plans to cut down trees in the Pinewoods to expand its bottling plant as “beyond destructive”.

Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee has been recommended to conditionally approve the controversial plans, which have captured national attention in recent days with an article in the Independent and a passionate debate on social media.

Trees in the area of Pinewoods known as Rotary Wood, which were planted by families in 2015, would be felled as part of plans by Harrogate Spring Water’s parent company Danone to expand its bottling plant.

Talks between Danone and local green groups have failed to reach agreement on a solution that would compensate for the loss of biodiversity and community access.

Former Countryfile host Ms Bradbury, who is a well-known advocate for the outdoors, tweeted her opposition to the proposal on Sunday.

https://twitter.com/JuliaBradbury/status/1350739832251805696

She also tweeted Emmanuel Faber, chief executive of Harrogate Spring’s water parent company Danone, that called on the firm to “do the right thing”.

Yesterday she told the Stray Ferret that Danone’s plans were “like a plot from a bad nature documentary”.

Ms Bradbury also criticised the company’s use of plastic bottles, saying “you can’t recycle your way out of” the plastic waste crisis seen around the world. She said:

“I’m astounded. We bang the drum for more nature so we need trees and this is a community woodland planted by local school children. It’s a very controversial decision and comes at a time when people are benefiting from nature.”

Read more:

• Impasse between Harrogate Spring Water and local groups continues
• Pinewoods tree protester vows to lobby council offices every week

A Harrogate Borough Council report published yesterday recommended councillors conditionally approve the plans on Tuesday next week.

The application, which would lead to 12 new jobs, has received 328 objections and 28 in support.

Danone argues that the proposals, which include a new pond, a 30-year long replanting programme and a grassland ‘green’ roof will benefit the local environment.

Harrogate Spring Water’s sales and marketing manager Rob Pickering told the Stray Ferret the plans would “promote biodiversity”. He added:

“We’re committed for 30 years to develop the planting and landscaping as it establishes itself. We’ll do that with the ecologists and hopefully the support of the community.

“We’ll continue to provide those facts to give the people of Harrogate a more informed view of the work we plan to do. I genuinely believe the end result of the work will be something we’ll all be proud of.”

Council case officer Mark Williams’ report describes Harrogate Spring Water as a ‘global brand’ and ‘strategic employer’ that makes a significant contribution to the local economy.

The report acknowledges concerns about issues such as the loss of trees and increase in single use plastics but concludes:

A Harrogate Borough Council report published today has recommended conditionally approving Harrogate Spring Water’s controversial expansion plans.

The council’s planning committee will meet on Tuesday next week to discuss the company’s proposal to fell trees in the Pinewoods to expand its bottling plant.

Case officer Mark Williams’ report describes Harrogate Spring Water as a ‘global brand’ and ‘strategic employer’ that makes a significant contribution to the local economy.

The report acknowledges concerns about issues such as the loss of trees and increase in single use plastics but concludes:

The report recommends deferring and approving the application subject to a section 106 legal agreement being drawn up for biodiversity that confirms where the trees would be replanted.

The application, which would lead to 87 new jobs, has received 328 objections and 28 in support.

Many objections refer to an increase in single use plastics for bottling water but the report says this issue is covered by legislation and therefore “not a reason to refuse this application”.

A spokesperson from Pinewoods Conservation Group said:

“This is unfortunately typical by Harrogate council where ecological and environmental impact of a decisions are often ignored.

“The report makes it clear that a significant number of trees will be lost and the proposed development would lead to a loss of public amenity.

“The recommendation is still to approve despite the 100s of objections and clear negative impacts. We can only hope that the councillors on the planning committee can take account of the bigger picture here.”

Read more:

• Pinewoods tree protester vows to lobby council offices every week

• Impasse between Harrogate Spring Water and local groups continues

Harrogate Spring Water received outline planning permission to expand in 2016 but now wants to extend this by 40 per cent, which would mean felling trees in the area of Pinewoods known as Rotary Wood.

Talks between Harrogate Spring Water’s parent company Danone and local green groups have so far failed to reach agreement on a solution that would compensate for the loss of biodiversity and community access.

The Stray Ferret has contacted Harrogate Spring Water for a response to the report but has yet to receive a reply.

Harrogate Spring Water’s sales and marketing manager Rob Pickering told the Stray Ferret last week he wanted to ensure the people of Harrogate “have the facts”.

Mr Pickering said:

“We’ll continue to provide those facts to let the people of Harrogate of a more informed view of the work we plan to do. I genuinely believe the end result of the work will be something we’ll all be proud of.”

North Yorkshire County Council has today appealed for patience as it refills grit bins following the recent prolonged period of snow and ice.

The Stray Ferret received several complaints from residents over the weekend, who said untreated pavements in the Harrogate district were too treacherous for pedestrians, forcing people to walk on roads.

Gritting is the county council’s responsibility and besides employing gritters it maintains more than 3,000 self-help grit bins in North Yorkshire.

People can use the bins to grit minor roads and pavements but not private drives.

Stocks are replenished midwinter and in response to requests.

The long post-Christmas cold snap has led to higher demand than usual and the council’s highways department has urged residents to use salt sparingly.

Read more:

• Gallery: stunning images of snow in the Harrogate district

• Ripon couple saved as tree falls in heavy snow

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

“I would like to reassure residents that we are currently refilling grit bins and heaps as quickly as we can. This process is a huge task as we have responsibility for more than 3,100 grit bins and 4,700 grit heaps.

“Please bear in mind that those involved in replenishing the bins and heaps are the same people that drive the gritters and deal with other emergencies on the highway network.

“Whilst every effort is made to replenish the grit as soon as possible we do encounter unavoidable delays, which can occur during prolonged or repeated periods of very cold weather.”

Wet weather is forecast for the next few days but the forecast is to turn colder by Friday, with further icy spells.

The owner of an Apple repair shop in Harrogate has launched an appeal for faulty iPads that will be refurbished and given to local school children.

Tom James, owner of Howard Conrad on Leeds Road, was spurred to act after reading news reports about parents not having the technology for children to study from home during lockdown.

Mr James told the Stray Ferret:

“You see it in the news with children learning from home. Some don’t have access to what they need. We repair iPads and thought we could help the children of Harrogate”

The shop has an agreement to donate iPads to Red Kite Learning Trust, a charity that operates several schools in the district, including Harrogate Grammar School, Western Primary School and Rossett Acre Primary School.

Read more:

• ‘We won’t abandon children’ on exams, says Harrogate headteacher

• Teachers call for tighter key worker rules as schools under pressure

Mr James said old iPads tucked away in a drawer could be refurbished, as could ones that have had their screens smashed or simply broken down.

Howard Conrad is only able to accept Apple iPads rather than other types of tablet.

The iPads need to be running the operating system iOS 11 or newer to be compatible with the learning apps and must have the linked iCloud account removed.

The company is able to accept the following models:

12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation)
12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st generation)
iPad Pro (10.5-inch)
iPad Pro (9.7-inch)
iPad Air 2
iPad Air
iPad (6th generation)
iPad (5th generation)
iPad mini 4
iPad mini 3
iPad mini 2

To donate an iPad, click here.

Plans have been submitted for 98 homes in the village of Bishop Monkton near Ripon.

The developer Alfa Homes is behind the proposals which would be built on the western edge of the village on Knaresborough Road and Moor Road.

The site is designated for development in Harrogate Borough Council’s Local Plan, which is a blueprint for development in the district over the next 15 years.

The majority of the properties will be either 2 or 3-bedroom and 39 will be classed as affordable.

Read more:

• Plans to turn Bishop Monkton pub into five houses
• Green Hammerton gets final approval for 3,000-home settlement

Alfa Homes organised a community consultation in summer 2020 where concerns were raised by local residents that the development was too dense and “out of kilter with the urban grain of the village”.

The developer defended the style of the properties saying the two-storey buildings “reflects the general character of the local area”.

They said the plans were “designed to be sympathetic whilst enhancing the exciting character of the surroundings.”

Alfa Homes is the sister company of Wetherby-based developer Berkeley DeVeer.

20 more covid cases have been reported in the Harrogate district today, the lowest daily total so far this month.

It means the number of people in the district who have had a confirmed positive test result is 5,875.

There are signs infection rates are now beginning to fall as the total number of people who tested positive over the past 7 days is 542, which is 31% lower than the previous 7 days (January 3 – 9).

Read more:

• North Yorkshire Police pledge to get tougher on covid rule breakers
• Nidderdale minibus helps rural people get vaccines at showground

Earlier this week, North Yorkshire Police pledged to get tougher on people breaking lockdown rules and “no longer waste time” with covid rule breakers.

Superintendent Mike Walker, gold commander for the police response in the county to covid, said officers had dealt with cases of people coming from outside the county to beauty spots and others holding birthday parties.

Northern is running a reduced rail service between Harrogate and Leeds due to faults with the signalling system caused by a fallen tree yesterday.

Several trains have already been cancelled this morning and from 10.45am, trains will leave Harrogate Station once an hour rather than the usual twice hourly service.

Trains will leave Leeds Station to Harrogate at 29 minutes past the hour, every hour.

All services, in both directions of travel, will pick up and drop off on platform 1 at Burley Park, Headingley and Horsforth stations.

The disruption is expected to continue until the end of today.

For an up to date timetable visit National Rail.

Read more:

Harrogate hotels ready to offer beds for coronavirus patients

Ripon couple saved as tree falls in heavy snow

The HRH Group, which owns the Yorkshire Hotel, the Fat Badger and the White Hart in Harrogate, has so far declined to answer questions about an alleged illegal New Year’s Eve party involving its managing director Simon Cotton.

On Wednesday, the Stray Ferret published claims that Mr Cotton flouted tier 3 covid restrictions by holding a party involving himself and 10 friends at the Yorkshire Hotel on New Year’s Eve. Mr Cotton is alleged to have asked staff to work at the event.

We spoke to multiple sources who claim the party ate on a single table, did not observe social distancing and that speakers were brought in to play music and bar staff were on hand to serve drinks into the early hours of the morning.

Mr Cotton has denied the allegations.

We contacted the hotel group yesterday to ask them a series of questions related to the claims. We are yet to receive a response.

We asked:

• Is the HRH Group co-operating with the police and Harrogate Borough Council investigations into the complaints?
• Is the HRH Group undertaking its own internal investigation into the events on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day?
• What approach is the group taking to staff who were allegedly asked to work that night or in the morning?
• Will the HRH Group be making a public statement regarding the allegations and Mr Cotton’s denial?

Read more:

• Police investigating alleged illegal New Year’s Eve party at Harrogate hotel

• Claims well-known Harrogate hotelier held illegal New Year’s Eve party

Pressure on the hotel group to make a public statement is mounting after North Yorkshire Police confirmed it was investigating a party at a Harrogate hotel on New Year’s Eve following complaints from members of the public and yesterday the story was covered by other news organisations.