Police today confirmed that a teenager has died following an incident in Harrogate in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The victim, who was 17, died in hospital after being found with “significant injuries” when police attended a property in Claro Road at about 12.15am.

North Yorkshire Police said today the person had died but did not name him.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared before York Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with attempted murder.

The boy, who was remanded into youth custody, is due to appear at Leeds Crown Court on March 14.

But in an update today, Detective Superintendent Wayne Fox, head of North Yorkshire Police’s major investigation team, said the 18-year-old had now died: He said:

“North Yorkshire Police are, sadly, able to confirm that the teenage boy who was seriously injured in an incident at Claro Road, Harrogate, in the early hours of Sunday 19 February, died in hospital on the afternoon of Tuesday 21 February 2023.

“I can now confirm that the enquiry has been declared a murder investigation. North Yorkshire Police will not, at this stage, be taking steps to name the victim, however, our thoughts are very much with his family and friends.

“A large enquiry team has been formed to progress the investigation, this includes specialist officers who will offer support to the victim’s family.”

Social media plea

Det Supt Fox added:

“I am aware that that significant information is being shared on various social media platforms, I would ask members of the public to respect the privacy of affected family members and refrain from speculating on the personal information of the victim at this difficult time.

“A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with attempted murder on Monday 20 February and appeared in court on Tuesday 21 February. He was remanded in custody to appear again on 14 March.

“This is a live enquiry and I would remind the public that any form of shared rumour or speculation may have a significant impact on future criminal justice processes.”

Read more:

• Teenager charged with attempted murder on Claro Road
• Boy, 16, arrested for attempted murder in Harrogate

A new bridal shop is set to open on West Park as a Yorkshire business expands into Harrogate.

Elite Bridal is run by mother-and-daughter duo Joanne and Holly-Ann Wilson and already has boutiques in Brighouse and Hessle, as well as outlets in Castleford and Hull.

The new Harrogate boutique is expected to open in the former Orvis unit in the coming weeks.

Holly-Ann, the company’s retail director, told the Stray Ferret:

“We often visit Harrogate for weekends away: a little trip to Bettys for afternoon tea and a stroll round the town, but our love for Harrogate started many years ago when I was a little girl.

“My mum Joanne would take me to the bridal exhibition twice a year where we would do our buying for the year ahead. Over the last 10 years we have moved towards designing our own collections in house in Yorkshire and overseas and we now proudly exhibit as a wholesaler at the shows rather than visiting for trade.

“We have expanded our business in the last five years and doubled in size and Harrogate was one of our desired locations. When Joanne saw it, she knew it was hers. Destiny had arrived and now it’s finally happening.”

One of Elite Bridal’s other boutiques

Holly said she and chief executive Joanne focus on having thousands of designs available in their boutiques, with a range of sizes for brides to try on rather than just samples.

They plan to offer a luxury experience in the boutique, from selecting the right gown to having designs and alterations completed in-house.

The company, founded in 2003, will create up to four part-time and full-time jobs at the new Harrogate store.

Read more:

• Harrogate country sports shop Orvis set to close
• Developer withdraws former Harrogate Orvis store flats plan

A food business based in Nidderdale has gone into voluntary liquidation owing more than £1 million.

Mackenzies Smoked Products Ltd appointed Clark Business Recovery last week to oversee its liquidation.

Papers filed with Companies House reveal it owed £1,025,690.40 to 156 other companies. Among its debts is almost £45,000 to HMRC for VAT, PAYE and National Insurance contributions.

The sole director, Paul James Palmer, was appointed in October 2019, when he and wife Gabby took over the Blubberhouses company from Robert and Stella Crowson, who founded it in 1999.

As well as a smokehouse, Mackenzies runs a farm shop and cafe, both of which remained open today.

In documents filed as part of the liquidation process, Mr Palmer reserves the right for MFS&C Limited to use the trading names of Mackenzies, Mackenzies Farm Shop, and Mackenzies Farm Shop and Cafe.

MFS&C Limited was set up by Gabby Palmer in November last year and she remains its sole director.

The rights to the trading names of the Yorkshire Smokehouse, the Yorkshire Smokehouse at Mackenzies, Mackenzies Smokehouse and Mackenzies Smoked Products are reserved for use by Yorkshire Speciality Foods Limited, set up by an Andrew Robert Butler in September 2022.

Mr Palmer is a former director of Bleikers Smokehouse, which was founded by his wife’s father, Jurg Bleiker, who left the business in 2006. Mr Palmer resigned from Bleikers in 2019.

Mackenzies opened a coffee shop on Cardale Park last spring, but it has since closed and been replaced by a separate venture.

The Stray Ferret contacted Mackenzies and Clark Business Recovery about the liquidation but was told nobody was able to give any further information.

Read more:

• Companies ‘unlikely’ to receive pay-out from Bleikers Smoke House, say administrators
• Business Breakfast: New café opens on Harrogate’s Cardale Park

Bleikers, which fell into administration last May, is under investigation by the National Food Crime Unit. In an update issued last month, investigators said:

“The National Food Crime Unit continue to investigate the former Bleiker’s Smokehouse in Leeming, North Yorkshire.

“To date, four people have been interviewed under caution and enquiries around the former Bleiker’s Smokehouse business practices continue.

“Thanks to the North Yorkshire police for their support during the investigation.”

The company’s administrator, FRP Advisory, last posted an update in December. It indicated the company’s assets, including stock and machinery, had been sold.

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder after an incident in Harrogate’s Claro Road at the weekend.

The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, is due to appear at York Magistrates’ Court tomorrow morning.

A man in his teens found at the scene with “significant injuries” remains in a critical condition in hospital tonight.

Police were called to the property in Claro Road at 12.15am on Sunday. Paramedics also attended and took the young man to hospital.

There was a heavy police presence around the area yesterday and North Yorkshire Police has urged people not to speculate on social media about the incident.

At the time, Detective Inspector Nichola Holden said:

“We know local residents are likely to be concerned by this incident and I hope the quick arrest of a suspect will go some way to reassure them.

“We believe this to be an isolated event with both teenagers known to each other and we are carrying out a full investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding it.”

“Several witnesses have been spoken to or interviewed by officers investigating this incident and we are confident we have spoken to everyone we need to. However, if you have any other information which you feel may be relevant, please contact police as soon as possible.”

Parish councils have called for a halt to plans for a new settlement to the east of Knaresborough until after devolution takes place.

With the hand-over to the new unitary authority now just six weeks away, councillors in the area have asked the new North Yorkshire Council to prevent Harrogate Borough Council from spending any more time or money on its development plan document (DPD).

It follows news last month that one of the key landowners in the area earmarked for a new town near Cattal had pulled out of the plans, leaving question marks over their viability.

In a joint letter, representatives of Kirk Hammerton, Whixley, Green Hammerton, Moor Monkton, and Cattal, Hunsingore and Walshford parish councils asked Cllr Simon Myers, NYCC’s executive member for housing, to “step in”. They wrote:

“The DPD process and the Maltkiln planning proposal have lost all credibility and their time is up. HBC should stop work now and concentrate on making the handover to NYC as orderly as possible.

“The developer should be invited to withdraw its application and an indication given (formally or informally) that, if it insists on pressing for a determination, a refusal is inevitable, in the circumstances…

“Meanwhile, it’s high time NYC stepped in and called time on this, before any more mistakes are made (the consequences of which NYC will inherit).”

HBC’s planning policy manager Natasha Durham this week contacted parish councils in the area to invite them to a meeting next month.

She said work was being done to decide whether the DPD could be delivered on the remaining land.

Read more:

• Parish councils to get update on ‘paused’ plans for new town near Knaresborough
• Maltkiln developer still ‘confident’ in new town near Cattal

NYCC has said work by most of the district councils on local plans and DPDs had been paused until the new unitary authority came into effect, but it had agreed Harrogate should continue with its new settlement DPD because it was at an advanced stage.

However, Kirk Hammerton Parish Council chairman Paul Townsend responded to ask how work on the DPD could continue when the land it was based on could no longer be used.

He wrote:

“Since the circumstances underpinning the NYC executive’s decision to proceed with the DPD in December have fundamentally changed (it is hard to think of anything more fundamental to developing a new settlement than no longer having land on which to build it) how has the executive convinced itself that the DPD should continue?

“Does this mean the statement that work on the DPD has been paused is now out of date? It’s all very confusing for us and our residents.”

Parish councillors have also claimed HBC had previously said it had a “duty to determine” a planning application for the site from Caddick, proposing a new town of up to 4,000 homes to be known as Maltkiln.

The councillors said the plans were being pushed through with undue haste in order to have the whole matter dealt with before HBC is abolished on April 1.

However, the council has strongly denied it ever said it had a “duty to determine” the application.

A spokesperson said:

“In response to requests for information on when the DPD would be submitted, we indicated that we were working towards a target of end of 2022 for submission.

“But in view of the recent change of circumstance, the decision to submit the DPD has been paused, something that we have made the public aware of.

“We have also not changed our position regarding the determination of the Caddick/Maltkiln planning application, once again this is hearsay. Currently, there is no timeline for determination as there are still matters to be resolved.

“The principle of development in this location has been established in the adopted Harrogate District Local Plan. Planning applications are determined in accordance with the development plan and circumstances of the time.”

A pre-school in Pannal has received praise from Ofsted for its “welcoming” setting and care for its children.

Busy Bees Pre-school, based in the grounds of Pannal Primary School, retained its ‘good’ grading in the report published this month.

Inspector Amy Whiting, who visited the setting in January, said:

“Children are happy and enjoy spending time in this warm, welcoming setting. New children settle quickly and soon become familiar with their surroundings.

“Staff are attentive to children’s needs. Children show they feel comfortable with the staff. For example, they climb onto staff members’ knees during play, and seek out staff for cuddles.”

She also praised the way the manager leads the team of staff, offering support and mentoring to new and more junior people, with relevant online training.

Ms Whiting said staff had “high levels of well-being and feel supported”, and there was a clear plan for improving the pre-school.

She highlighted the “effective” development of children’s maths skills, and use of additional funding to bring in teachers for extra activities such as yoga and rugby. She said children were encouraged to take turns at activities, but instructions could be clearer so they always know what is expected of them.

The report also praised the manager’s understanding of the safeguarding and referral process, saying anyone left in charge in her absence was suitably knowledgeable, and all staff had regular safeguarding training.

But Ms Whiting added:

“However, in some cases, staff’s understanding of, and confidence to talk about wider safeguarding issues, such as female genital mutilation and ‘Prevent’ duty [relating to terrorism], is not fully developed.

“Similarly to this, plans for staff’s continued professional development in this regard are not yet fully developed.”

The report and grading have been welcomed by the pre-school, which cares for 30 children aged between two and four.

Pre-school manager Tina Morley said:

“We feel the inspection went very well and I couldn’t be prouder of my amazing team.

“The inspector commented during the feedback meeting how confident and well-settled the children were and how the staff seemed genuinely passionate about their care, education and welfare.

“We were delighted to retain our Good grading across all aspects of our provision.

Read more:

• Harrogate pre-school wins Ofsted praise for care and teaching
• ‘Kind and caring’ staff draw Ofsted praise for Harrogate nursery

Tourist attractions to close as Storm Otto heads for Harrogate district

People across the Harrogate district are being warned to be prepared for strong winds overnight and into tomorrow’s morning rush hour.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning, with wind speeds expected to reach around 65mph between 7am and 9am as Storm Otto arrives in the UK.

The National Trust has already said both Fountains Abbey and Brimham Rocks will be closed tomorrow morning because of the forecast.

The Swinton Estate is closing its parklands and gardens, as well as its bivouac woodland, from tomorrow morning until Monday.

RHS Harlow Carr also said it may also have to restrict access to its site during the high winds.

⚠ Potential partial closure – Friday 17 February ⚠

Please be aware high winds are forecast for Friday 17th Feb, therefore some areas of the garden including the Woodland, Arboretum and Alpine House may need to close for safety reasons. Please check before you travel. pic.twitter.com/QTliEBeCVf

— RHS Harlow Carr (@RHSHarlowCarr) February 16, 2023

The winds are expected to ease from lunchtime, dropping to around 20mph until the weather warning ends at 2pm.

The National Trust said Fountains Abbey could re-open at noon, while Brimham Rocks will only re-open later in the afternoon once tree safety checks have been completed.

In its warning, the Met Office said:

“Very strong winds developing through Friday morning associated with Storm Otto may bring disruption to travel.

“Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, with longer journey times and cancellations possible. High-sided vehicles may be particularly prone in this set-up. Some roads and bridges may close.

“Power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage. Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs, could happen. Injuries and danger to life from flying debris are possible.”

Power cuts

Meanwhile, Northern Powergrid has urged customers who might be vulnerable during a power cut to register for its free priority services membership. It is aimed at older people, those with disabilities or additional medical or communication needs, families with young children, and anyone in a vulnerable situation.

A spokesperson for the company said:

“Our electricity network is operating as normal, however, we wanted to reassure you that we are closely monitoring the weather across our operating areas, and our teams are ready and prepared to respond if this weather has any impact on our network…

“If you have additional needs due to your medical or personal circumstances, and are not part of our Priority Services Membership, you should consider joining for free.

“It will help us to support you during a power cut including regular updates on the situation and considering alternative needs such as food and accommodation.”

Power cuts can be reported by calling 105, or via the Northern Powergrid website, which also has a map of known problems.

The Stray Ferret will report any problems caused by the high winds over night and tomorrow morning. Keep checking our website and our Facebook and Twitter feeds for the latest updates.

To tell us about the impact of the storm, send us an email.

Read more:

• Weather warning for wind issued for Harrogate district on Friday
• Four crews deal with barn fire in village near Harrogate

A meeting will be held next month to discuss whether a new town could still be built to the east of Knaresborough after a key landowner pulled out.

Harrogate Borough Council has invited representatives of parish councils along the A59 to meet on Wednesday, March 15 to give an update and answer questions.

It follows the surprise announcement in January that a piece of land near Cattal had been withdrawn from the development plan document for a new settlement in the area.

At the time, the council said it had “paused” its plans to submit the development plan document to the Secretary of State for approval. In an email to parish councils today, planning policy manager Natasha Durham said:

“As we are moving to become North Yorkshire Council on April 1 this year, the decision on next steps with the development plan document will be taken by the new authority in the context of wider plan-making.

“A report on the future plan-making in North Yorkshire has already been to the council’s executive, and is now scheduled to go to full council in May. This report looks at wider arrangements for local plans across the new council area and makes recommendations on which plans should continue.

“The report includes a recommendation that the development plan document should continue, in order to deliver the requirements… in the Harrogate Local Plan and ensure that development is guided by a clear vision and requirements.”

The future of the area remains uncertain following the withdrawal of part of the land that would have been in the development plan document. The same piece of land also formed part of the Maltkiln development of up to 4,000 homes put forward by Caddick, which has said it still intends to proceed with its plans.

In her email, Ms Durham told the parish councils that the meeting in May of all members of the new North Yorkshire Council will see an update given on the availability of land and an “analysis of various options going forward”.

She added:

“We are currently doing work to ascertain whether the vision and objectives proposed in the development plan document can be met on the remaining available land.

“We are proposing to hold a meeting [of local organisations] on Wednesday, March 15 to discuss the options under consideration and answer questions as best we can.

“Whilst work is ongoing and we are unlikely to be able to provide clarity at this stage, we are mindful of the considerable effort communities have put into the DPD process and so feel it is important to offer the opportunity to meet and discuss.”

Read more:

• Councillor ‘absolutely amazed’ Maltkiln landowner able to pull out
• Maltkiln developer still ‘confident’ in new town near Cattal

Two brothers from Leeds have been sentenced today for supplying cocaine in Harrogate.

Habeeb Mohammed, 21, and Adheel Mohammed, 19, both of Amberton Street in Leeds, had both pleaded guilty to possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.

The brothers were stopped in their car on the A61 at Burn Bridge on September 12, 2021, by officers from North Yorkshire Police’s Operation Expedite team.

A search of the vehicle and the two men uncovered a total of 21 bags of cocaine.

The brothers were arrested, interviewed and released under investigation.

In May last year, police became suspicious that one of them was dealing drugs again in Harrogate.

A man matching Habeeb’s description was seen getting into a taxi, which was then stopped on Sutton Grange Close in Harrogate.

Habeeb, who was confirmed as the passenger, was seen trying to discard a black plastic bag containing 36 individual bags of cocaine. He was arrested again on suspicion of possession of a class A drug with intent to supply, and was charged and remanded in custody.

Drugs recovered by police from the Mohammed brothers

Habeeb pleaded guilty in November 2022, and Adheel also entered a guilty plea last month.

The brothers appeared at York Crown Court today. Habeeb was sentenced to five years in prison, while Adheel received a two-year sentence suspended for 18 months.

PC Michael Haydock, from North Yorkshire Police’s Operation Expedite team in Harrogate, said:

“The impact that drug related crime has on people in North Yorkshire is severe and we see it as our duty to target those who sell drugs.

“People who supply drugs have no place in our communities, they will be pursued, investigated and punished.

“They look to exploit the vulnerable for their own selfish financial gain, with zero regard given to the knock-on effects of their criminality.

“We will never give up on our fight to combat criminal exploitation and the supply of drugs in North Yorkshire.

“Today’s result sends a clear message to the likes of Mohammed Habeeb, Mohammed Ahdeel and anyone else who believes that they can come to North Yorkshire and commit this sort of crime – it will not be tolerated, and you will be pursued.”

North Yorkshire Police has urged anyone with information about suspected drug-related crime to report it by calling 101 or via the force website.

To report information anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or visit the organisation’s website.

Read more:

• Police appeal for witnesses after attempted burglary in Jennyfields
• Harrogate’s former Kimberley Hotel being used for drugs and crime, say police

A dramatic photo released by Harrogate Fire Station shows the extent of the damage done in a barn fire near Huby yesterday.

Fire crews from Harrogate and Knaresborough joined two more appliances from West Yorkshire to tackle the fire at about 2pm.

It took place in a barn measuring around 25 metres by 25 metres, containing straw. Firefighters used hose reel jets to put the fire out.

Once the scene was safe, they also took the opportunity to meet a few of the farm’s occupants.

A firefighter makes friends with a cow after putting out a nearby barn fire. Photo: Harrogate Fire Station.

Read more:

• Harrogate firefighters release images of Blubberhouses collision
• Harrogate firefighters respond to 2am hair straightener call