Five key issues in Harrogate district at the upcoming election

Over the next six weeks, politicians will be vying for votes and clashing over what they see as the key issues in the Harrogate district.

From the state of the NHS to the quality of water in our rivers, candidates of all party colours will be having their say on topics as they head into a six-week election campaign.

With this in mind, the Stray Ferret has looked at what could be the key election issues in the Harrogate district.

Water quality

Perhaps the most pertinent issue over the last six months is the quality of water in the district’s rivers.

Andrew Jones, Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, led the campaign for bathing water status at Knaresborough Lido.

Mr Jones is likely to use the success of the Nidd being granted bathing water status as part of his election pitch to emphasise his record as the town’s MP.

Robbie Moore, Defra Minister, and Andrew Jones at the Nidd.

But, Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat candidate, will likely point to the amount of sewage dumped into the district’s rivers as a counter narrative.

As recently as Thursday, Mr Gordon highlighted river pollution as one of the key issues in the area. Labour candidate Conrad Whitcroft also cites the state of the Nidd as one of his key issues.

Health service

Much like the rest of the nation, the Harrogate district is not immune to pressures on the NHS.

The area particularly struggles with GP appointments and dentists, with Harrogate in particular acutely lacking NHS provision for dentistry.

It’s a topic that has not escaped the attention of some of the candidates on July 4.

Tom Gordon pictured with Daisy Cooper, Lib Dem health spokesperson.

Tom Gordon pictured with Daisy Cooper, Lib Dem health spokesperson.

Both Mr Jones and Mr Gordon have raised the issue in their own way.

The Conservative MP brought up the topic of dentistry in the House of Commons in September while Mr Gordon met with the Liberal Democrat health spokesperson to raise the issue in March last year.

Expect the lack of dentistry in Harrogate to raise its head again at some point in the next six weeks.

Housing

Whether it be new estate off Kingsley Drive or 3,000 homes in the west of Harrogate, or the Manse Farm development in Knaresbrough, housing is a major issue.

The Stray Ferret has covered the extensive housebuilding in the area and its knock on effect onto local residents extensively.

Given its prominency in Harrogate and Knaresborough, the topic is expected to be debated extensively by candidates.

Mr Jones raised the issue over new build estates in the House of Commons as recently as April, where he pointed out he had run a ‘fair deal for new estates’ campaign for over a year.

Meanwhile, Mr Gordon is no stranger to criticising the government’s record on housing.

In April, he told the Stray Ferret that new homeowners should be protected from “dodgy developers” by strengthening the law on leaseholds and freeholds.

Education

The provision of education is always a hot topic at elections.

Both Mr Gordon and Mr Jones have clashed before over the issue of funding for schools.

But, in the Harrogate district, perhaps a more pressing issue is the provision for those with special educational needs and disabilities.

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The Stray Ferret reported recently on a significant increase in demand for SEND places.

A report before councillors on Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee on March 14 showed a significant increase in the number of education health and care plans submitted to the council.

The plans detail a child’s needs and are given to schools to consider ahead of a potential admission.

The matter has even seen parents from Harrogate go to Leeds to demonstrate over provision for SEND pupils.

Transport

The need for people to get around is another issue frequently raised in Harrogate.

Mr Jones, who is a former rail minister, has campaigned for better rail services and championed the town’s electric bus fleet.

Some of this has led to noticeable improvements in the town, such as more direct services to London. But other areas remain questionable.

Take for instance the pledge by government to divert millions of pounds of HS2 money towards potholes and road repairs.

While some roads in the Harrogate district have benefited from resurfacing, others still await repair.

Readers of the Stray Ferret this week shared with us pictures of some roads in the district which they feel are in need of some attention.

It’s a topic which election candidates in Harrogate may face at some point this campaign.

Former Harrogate working men’s club thriving in its 125th yearPeter Gotthard founder and hairdressing pioneer to attend 60th anniversary party

The man who brought the revolutionary hairdressing techniques of Vidal Sassoon to the north of England in the 1960s will be the guest of honour next month, when the salon he co-founded celebrates 60 years in business. 

Peter Harman opened Peter Gotthard Hairdressing at 36 Parliament Street in Harrogate in June 1964, with business partner Gotthard Passager, a Swiss stylist he had met in London. 

Speaking exclusively to the Stray Ferret, Peter said: 

“In those days, it was fashionable to combine the first names of business partners, so that’s what we did, and Peter Gotthard was born. 

“Sadly, Gotthard only stayed a couple of years. He went to Canada and opened an academy in Vancouver – and I was left holding the baby.” 

Peter worked hard to build up the business, sometimes doing four or five hair shows a week, “anywhere we could get an audience”, to spread the word.

Black and white photos of Peter Harman at work in the 1960s.

Peter Harman at work in the 1960s.

It was in the mid-sixties when Peter learned the skills that would put his salon at the forefront of hairdressing innovation and make Peter Gotthard a by-word for cutting-edge style. He said: 

“I was inspired by Vidal Sassoon – he changed my life, and I attribute a lot of my success in hairdressing to him. He was a dear friend and completely changed hairdressing with his new ethos.  

“I spent a lot of time at his salon in Mayfair in the 1960s, doing advanced courses under his supervision. He threw out the old-fashioned hairdryers and rollers and suddenly it was all about the scissors and the hand-held hairdryer. When I started, it was 100% shampoo-and-sets, but by the ’70s, it was 85% cut-and-blowdrys.

“I was bowled over by Vidal’s way of hairdressing – it was pure artistry. That’s what I was inspired by, and that’s what I wanted to bring to the north of England, which I did.” 

In 1966, Peter put on a two-hour show at the Royal Hall in Harrogate, putting the salon’s name in lights: ‘Peter Gotthard Hair Show’. It attracted 950 people, who came just to see his demonstration of the new techniques. 

The hard work paid off, and the three-storey Parliament Street premises grew to accommodate 35 stations, with separate men’s and ladies’ salons and a beauty salon. 

He opened a second salon on Leeds Road in the 1970s and another on Westgate in Ripon in the ’80s, followed by a fourth on Coppergate in York in the 1990s, and there were as many as “70 or 80” people working in the business. 

Peter Gotthard was even invited to become a member of Intercoiffure Mondial, the Paris-based global network of elite salons. Peter said: 

“It called its logo ‘the sign of the best hairdressing salons in the world’ and only admitted one member per town. 

“When people came to Harrogate from overseas, they recognised the Intercoiffure sign. It was a real mark of excellence.” 

In fact, it was one that Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher perhaps recognised when she came to Harrogate to give a speech at the conference centre in 1982. She asked Peter Gotthard to supply a hairdresser to style her hair, and Peter still has her handwritten letter of thanks. 

Photo of a letter sent to Peter Harman by Margaret Thatcher to thank him for Peter Gotthard's services when she was in Harrogate.

A letter sent to Peter Harman by Margaret Thatcher to thank him for Peter Gotthard’s services when she was in Harrogate.

But later, in the nineties and naughties, the hairdressing industry was revolutionised again, this time by technology, when everything became digitised. Peter said: 

“I’m a technophobe and I was way out of my depth – it was time to go!” 

So in February 2008, Peter Gotthard embarked on a new chapter when Peter sold it to one of his longest-serving employees, Cheryl Byrne. Cheryl had joined the business as a 16-year-old, straight from school, in May 1981 and even met her husband, Patrick, through a Peter Gotthard colleague. 

Cheryl said:

“Back in the ’80s, Peter was cutting hair most days. He was quite a perfectionist with extremely high standards, and that become the norm for us all. He was a great role model to follow in business, too.”

Photo of Peter Harman and Peter Gotthard's staff in the late 1970s.

Peter Harman (back row, centre) and Peter Gotthard’s staff in the late 1970s. Note the Intercoiffure logo on the window.

She added:

“The 80s was an exciting time to become a young hairdresser. Styles were moving on from setting to blow-drying and perming, and then colouring hair took over.

“I watched the salon’s hooded hairdryers disappear one by one as blow-drying became so much more popular. But we still have one that we wheel out of the cupboard for our regular weekly clients who have supported the business for so long. 

“Cutting skills came to the forefront of hairdressing as we stopped relying on dressing the hair so much. Short shapes and bobs of all descriptions were popular, and creative colouring was exciting through into the 90s and 2000s, when straightening hair became huge in the industry. Some of the styles, such as the wolf, the mullet and the shag, just keep coming around.”

Patrick and Cheryl, who have been married now for 37 years, are carrying on Peter’s legacy from the Parliament Street premises he opened six decades ago. They have nine stylists, three receptionists and an apprentice, and there are an independent beauty business and a tattoo business under the same roof. 

Despite the longevity of the business – unparallelled in its sector locally – Peter Gotthard still counts some old friends among its customers. 

Patrick said: 

“We’ve got some clients who were coming right at the start and still come now – 60 years later. We’ve got at least 20 who have been coming for 40 years or more. 

“And we’ve still got some very long-serving stylists. Chris has been with us for 46 years, Cheryl for 43 years, and Linda for 40 years. The average length of service among our stylists is about 15 years. That’s very unusual in this industry.” 

Nevertheless, there have been scores of other employees who have gone on to work elsewhere – Patrick says that Peter Gotthard has “probably trained half of Harrogate” – and many of them have set up their own businesses.

Photo of the staff of Peter Gotthard Hairdressing in Harrogate.

Cheryl Byrne (back row, far right) and her staff.

Cheryl and Patrick are hoping that as many of them and Peter Gotthard’s long-standing clients as possible will join them at the salon for the ‘Diamond Jubilee’ celebrations from noon till 4pm on Monday, June 10.

Two guests who are certain to be there are Peter and his wife Brenda, whom he met in 1965, within months of arriving in Harrogate. 

Peter, who moved with Brenda back to his home county of Surrey a few years ago after 50 years in Yorkshire, said: 

“I loved all my staff, and I love Yorkshire – I like to think I’m an adopted Yorkshireman! But my main reason for coming back up here is to congratulate Cheryl and Patrick and to thank them. 

“Harrogate was always the number-one salon and my original ‘baby’, and I’m so thrilled that the Peter Gotthard name is still over the door.

Cheryl and Patrick have kept it up-to-date and modern and it’s still going strong. It’s a fantastic achievement on their part – they’ve done an amazing job.” 

Photo of the Peter Gotthard Hairdressing salon on Parliament Street in Harrogate.

The Peter Gotthard salon on Parliament Street in Harrogate today.

After the party, Patrick says it will be business as usual – he and Cheryl have no plans to turn off the lights just yet. 

He said: 

“Peter was 72 when he retired. I’m 61, so I’ve still got a few years left in me. 

“We’re the current custodians of a name that’s been in this town for a very long time and which most people here above a certain age know. Our job is to make sure the next generation know about it too. 

“Our ultimate aim is to pass the business on in good shape, hopefully to a current employee, just as Peter did.”

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What’s new this year at the Great Yorkshire Show?

An array of new attractions are set to take place at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show.

The show will run from Tuesday, July 9, to Friday, July 12. Last year tickets sold out a week before the event started.

This year is set to see a craft beer bar, a Battle of the Butchers, Theakston’s Great Yorkshire Inn and Main Ring performances from Forever Tenors and the Paul Hannam Quad Bike Stunt Show for the 165th edition of the show.

It will also be the first time the show hosts the World Ayrshire Federation Annual Conference when around 100 farmers from countries including Kenya, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and America attend as part of a UK Tour.

Meanwhile, the People’s Choice competition will return for the first time since 2019.

People’s Choice traditionally took place in the cattle classes, with exhibitors generally in fancy dress and a light-hearted approach to the whole business of describing and judging the cattle. Its return this year has seen it extended to goats and pigs.

Charles Mills, show director said:

“We are thrilled to announce an exciting programme of events throughout the show, from a world conference for farmers from across the globe, to a Battle of the Butchers competition in the Food Hall, there’s so much for everyone to enjoy.

“There’s also the old favourites which traditionally draw huge crowds with the Cock O the North and the Grand Cattle Parades and I’m delighted to announce the return of People’s Choice which is a lot of fun and gets the public involved.”

Elsewhere, there will be newcomers to the Vertu Motors GYS Stage with Helen Skelton (Tuesday) and Rob and Dave Nicholson, of Cannon Hall Farm, (Friday) along with returning stars Peter Wright of Channel 5’s The Yorkshire Vet (Thursday) and Adam Henson (Wednesday).

The President’s Lawn will showcase a Grimme four row self-propelled potato harvester on display, set up in honour of the YAS President this year, Martin Cockerill, who’s a potato farmer.

There will also be a photography exhibition by British Life Photographer of the Year, Amy Bateman, who will reflect her on a yearlong journey to record the stories of forty farms across Cumbria.

Amy and husband Colin’s 900-acre cattle and sheep farm Croft Foot is also nominated for a Tye Trophy award, a YAS award highlighting some of the best farms in the north of England and recognising the contribution of farmers to conservation and environmental improvement.

For the first time at the GYS, a craft beer bar will be open in the Food Hall.

There will be over ten beer choices from four brewers within a three-mile radius of the Showground, including award-winning beers from Harrogate Brewing Company, Roosters, Turning Point and Daleside breweries. These local businesses are all members of SIBA – Society for Independent Brewers – the UK body that represents independent breweries.

Tickets are: Adults £35, Children £13 and Families £86 click here to find out more. 

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Harrogate district set to become election battleground

As the door to 10 Downing Street slammed on Wednesday evening, it effectively signalled the starting bell for a six-week election campaign.

The Prime Minister’s announcement that an election will be held on July 4 created political battlegrounds across the country’s 650 constituencies.

In Harrogate and Knaresborough, the outlook is no different.

The constituency has been held by the Conservatives for 14 years. In that time, Andrew Jones, the incumbent MP, has won four elections.

He has seen off three different Liberal Democrat candidates vying for the seat, as well as numerous other opposition parties.

(Left, clockwise) Andew Jones, Tom Gordon, Shan Oakes, John Swales and Conrad Whitcroft.

(Left, clockwise) Andew Jones, Tom Gordon, Shan Oakes, John Swales and Conrad Whitcroft.

But the Lib Dems see the 2024 election as a different proposition. Tom Gordon, who will be contesting Mr Jones, has described it as a “once in a generation” election and a chance to kick out the Tories.

Mr Gordon’s challenge will be to overhaul the Conservative’s 9,675 majority – a required swing in the region of 8%.

The 29-year-old has framed the election in Harrogate as a choice between the Liberal Democrats and the Tories, a sign that the party is eyeing the seat as a major scalp.

Meanwhile, there are three other candidates so far in Conrad Whitcroft (Labour), Shan Oakes (Green Party) and John Swales (Reform UK) who are preparing to put a dent in the Tory dominance in the constituency.

But, despite the reported discontent within the Conservative backbenchers at the prospect of a summer election, Mr Jones has been defiant.

The day after Mr Sunak’s announcement, the Harrogate and Knaresborough MP issued a combative statement which he pledged to win voters trust.

He said:

“On 5 July we will wake up with Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister or Keir Starmer. No other outcome is possible. And there has only ever been a Labour Prime Minister when this constituency has elected anyone other than a Conservative.

“Choosing that local champion combined with choosing our next Prime Minister is the responsibility that lies with us all on 4 July. I hope that Harrogate and Knaresborough residents will choose me again and I will be working hard win that trust once more.”

Skipton and Ripon

In six weeks’ time, Julian Smith, the Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, will be tasked with defending his 23,694 majority.

The former Northern Ireland secretary will be hoping to make 2024 his fifth election win in the constituency.

He will also be looking to continue a legacy for the Conservative Party in holding the seat at every election since it was created in 1983.

Standing in his way will be Green Party candidate Andy Brown, who will contest the constituency for a fourth time. Simon Garvey will be standing for Reform UK.

Wetherby and Easingwold

This election will see some voters in the Harrogate district fall under a new constituency.

Wetherby and Easingwold, which replaced the old Selby and Ainsty seat, will cover areas such as Spofforth, Follifoot and Boroughbridge.

The new seat offers all parties a chance to stake their claim to become the first to hold the constituency.

So far, the Tories have announced that current Elmet and Rothwell MP Alec Shelbrook will stand for the party. Meanwhile, Reform UK will field Mike Jordan on polling day.

The Liberal Democrats have chosen James Monaghan as its candidate for the new constituency.

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Businesses hit as power cuts strike Harrogate yet again

Businesses in the centre of Harrogate have been affected once again by power cuts this week.

James Street, Princess Street, Prospect Crescent and parts of Cambridge Street have all suffered outages.

Some shops have had to temporarily close while others told the Stray Ferret they have had issues with their tills, shutters, phone lines, lighting and internet.

This is not the first time the Streets have been left without power. In March, James Street was left without power for a week when Northern Powergrid found “a fault on the underground low voltage cable, resulting in a blown fuse”.

Princess Street and one side of James Street were affected on Tuesday (May 21) with Halifax, FatFace, White Stuff, Hobbs and others all forced to close.

Northern Powergrid said in response to Tuesday’s outage:

“At 08:47 am on Tuesday, May 21 we were alerted to a power cut affecting the James Street and Princess Street areas of Harrogate. Our engineers attended the area at 9am and located an underground low voltage fault.

“This was resolved and power was restored at 2:45 am on Wednesday 22 May. We continue to closely monitor any previous interruptions in our areas and work quickly to resolve any faults on our network.

“We’d like to thank our customers for their patience while our engineers worked safely to repair the fault and re-connect power.”

Yesterday, (May 23) the opposite side to those shops affected earlier in the week on James Street and Prospect Crescent were affected from the early hours of the morning until 4.30pm.

Emergency dentist left unable to treat patients

Dr Shoreh Ghasmi owner of The Harrogate Clinic

Dr Shoreh Ghasmi, owner of The Harrogate Dentist, was once again badly affected by the loss of power. The clinic, which provides 24-hour emergency care, was without light, access to medical records and dental machinery all day, meaning it was unable to treat patients.

She began a root canal surgery at 6.30am and numbed the patient’s mouth. At 7.28am, mid-way through the procedure the power shut off, leaving Dr Ghasmi and her patient panicked in the dark when her tools stopped working.

In March, Dr Ghasmi experienced the same problem when she was left unable to treat an emergency patient with a fractured tooth. After the initial power cuts she was told a generator had been installed and she was highly unlikely to have another power cut.

Yet four months later the clinic was thrown into the same position and Northern Powergrid had acted “nonchalantly” about the issue, she claimed.

Dr Ghasmi said:

“I cannot emphasise how much pressure the power cuts put on the clinic. They (Northern Powergrid) don’t realise how serious this is. It can’t go on, not when it is seriously affecting people’s health.

“I understand mistakes are made but when healthcare is on the line something needs to be done. They just told me ‘no one else has reported an issue’, but we are open 24 hours and need to help our patients. When it happens, I just go numb, and I feel helpless because I can’t help my patients. We are an emergency dentist, so people come to us because they are in such pain.”

James Street

Yvonne Nightingale, general manager of jewellers Ogden of Harrogate, said the power cuts have had “a horrendous knock-on effect” on the business. The power outage meant that the shop was unable to open and the intruder alarm was activated as a result of intermittent power.

Ms Nightingale added that the alarm activated smoke detectors, which someone witnessed and called the emergency services.

The fire services outside Ogden on James Street on Thursday.

Their neighbours Cornish Bakery Harrogate were also badly affected, losing a day of trade and forced to waste pre-prepared food. Hotel Chocolat and Sainsbury’s Local were also affected, with no power to their fridges.

Emel Rasit, manager of Crew Clothing, said:

“This is now the fifth or sixth time it has happened, it is very frustrating at this point and it has now meant the figures for this week will be a struggle.”

Manager of Crew Clothing Harrogate, Emel Rasit (left) with colleague Jack.

Northern Powergrid told The Stray Ferret today:

“On Thursday 23 May, we were alerted to a power cut affecting the James Street area of Harrogate. I can confirm that we have had an ongoing intermittent low voltage fault in this area, which has now been located and repaired.

“This type of fault can cause long duration issues, however we had six members of staff on site within three hours to ensure work was completed and power was restored as quickly as possible. All local properties and businesses were visited by our onsite engineer at the time and provided updates.”

“We do have some follow up work to complete following the repair, however all properties potentially affected will receive prior notice of excavation and we do not expect that supply will be interrupted.

Cornish Bakery Harrogate and Ogden of Harrogate closed due to power cuts

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Land train runs into lamppost in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens

A land train, which is part of a funfair in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens, pranged a lamppost on its first trip of the event today.

Fun in the Park, which opened at 11am today, offers family-friendly entertainment, rides and street food during this bank holiday weekend and half-term.

But the Magical Express, which takes people to-and-from the entrance of the gardens, ran into some bother when trying to negotiate a bend.

A witness, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Stray Ferret they suspected the driver “misjudged how big the front of the train was” when turning a corner, before hitting a lamppost. They added:

“Fortunately, no one was hurt.”

The source also said the event “got off to a rocky start” due to issues with the generator.

They continued:

“There were problems with the generator first thing, which meant all the rides opened late. Once they did open, this train incident happened on its first lap round!”

The event, which is running daily from today and throughout next week’s school half-term holiday, is operated by Northallerton-based Crow Leisure Group Ltd.

It is the first time the company has held an event in Harrogate.

The land train. Pic: Crow Leisure Ltd.

The Stray Ferret contacted founder and chief executive, Alex Crow, about the train mishap.

Mr Crow said it was the “first time” the driver had operated the train around the Valley Gardens with passengers, adding:

“The corner seemed tight.

“The driver reversed back and drove forward again. No one was injured and there’s no damage to the train.

“We have now put mats down on the left side to allow it to make a wider turn.”

Mr Crow also said the train was taken for two practice runs around Valley Gardens this morning and five practice runs yesterday without people onboard.

When asked about problems with the generator, Mr Crow added it “needed a filter change”, which he claims has now been sorted.

He said:

“Everything is running smoothly now. People have said they’re really enjoying the event.”

The event is free to enter but rides come with a charge.

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What’s new this year at the Great Yorkshire Show?Sheffield United top Harrogate’s list of pre-season friendlies

Sheffield United are coming to Wetherby Road as part of Harrogate Town’s pre-season friendly fixtures.

Town announced four matches today as part of their preparations for what will be their fifth season in League Two of the English Football League.

Simon Weaver’s men hosted Sheffield Wednesday in a pre-season friendly two seasons ago.

Now they will take on Sheffield’s leading club, who have just been relegated from the Premier League.

The Blades, managed by Chris Wilder, will make the trip from South Yorkshire to The EnviroVent stadium on Tuesday, July 23 for a 7pm kick-off.

Town’s pre-season shapes up like this:

The club said further fixtures and ticketing information for these matches will be confirmed in due course.

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Judicial review threat to Ripon’s 1,300-home Clotherholme scheme

Ripon City Council could begin legal action to ensure key concerns relating to the 1,300-home Clotherholme scheme are addressed.

North Yorkshire Council’s strategic planning committee granted government agency Homes England outline permission to develop Ministry of Defence land in the north-west of the city last week.

Although there is widespread acceptance that the scheme will go ahead, Ripon councillors, Ripon Military Heritage Trust and Ripon Civic Society have all called for safeguards to be installed on two key issues before the homes are built.

They want to see vital military heritage sites at Clotherholme preserved and a rethink on a proposal to ban right-turning traffic at the Low Skellgate / Somerset Row junction, which is one of many transport measures relating to the development.

The junction where traffic could be prevented from turning right.

Cllr Barbara Brodigan, a Liberal Democrat who represents Ripon Ure Bank and Spa division said she was disappointed local voices “did not have the impact we wanted” at last week’s planning meeting in Northallerton.

She said:

“There was a small success in that they will look again at the ‘no right turn’ proposal for the junction at Low Skellgate.

“However, I have campaigned for nearly four years now for the traffic assessment to be reviewed as I believe the existing one is flawed, having been conducted in June when there is less school traffic on the road.”

Neither Cllr Brodigan nor Cllr Andrew Williams, a member of the Conservatives and Independents group who represents Ripon Moorside and Minster, sit on the countywide strategic planning committee.

But both spoke at last week’s meeting to flag up concerns. Cllr Williams said:

“The banning of right turning traffic at the Low Skellgate / Somerset Row junction will mean my constituents effectively being cut off and having to find an alternative way to get to their homes.”

Last week’s strategic planning committee meeting.

The strategic planning committee agreed to review plans to preserve the city’s military heritage when the application comes back to councillors for the reserved matters application, which contains the details of the scheme.

But Cllr Brodigan said:

“This fails to preserve the military heritage, which I believe the planning committee intended, as the developers can start bulldozing the buildings under the planning consent.

“So it is not enough, unless the city council considers a judicial review, which I believe we will.”

Cllr Brodigan added:

“Homes England, like other developers, talk about place-making, consulting with the community etc. They say it is not just about chimney pots, but in fact it is.

“I would like to see some genuine engagement from Homes England with the Ripon Military Heritage Trust to preserve the significant military heritage at Clotherholme for posterity. We will ‘soldier on!'”

‘We need as many voices raised as possible’

Ripon Military Heritage Trust said in a statement it was disappointed the planning committee did not agree to a deferral “but instead approved the scheme without the safeguards in place that the trust believes to be essential to ensure the preservation of a group of the historic buildings”.

The statement added:

“Nevertheless, we were encouraged by the general support for the heritage expressed by a clear majority of the committee and for the view voiced by several members that land should be allocated for this purpose.

“And we were also partly reassured by the determination of elected members to keep the final decision on heritage preservation in their own hands rather than deputing it to officers as was being proposed.

“However, given that the committee in approving the overall development has agreed a plan to demolish all the barrack buildings, we are concerned that the developers may seek to pre-empt any decision on the heritage by simply bulldozing Deverell Barracks at the earliest opportunity.”

The Stray Ferret is backing the trust’s campaign to save Ripon’s military heritage and the statement said “we need as many voices raised in concerned protest as possible”.

The statement added:

“We are most grateful to the Stray Ferret for its continuing support of our fight to save this important part of our heritage.”

The houses are due to be built on land between Clotherhome Road and Kirkby Road.

The Stray Ferret is backing the trust’s campaign to save key parts of the city’s military history, as reported here. Please sign the petition here. 

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