College revamp plans ‘will cause parking chaos’ at Hornbeam Park

Plans to redevelop Harrogate College’s site are threatening to cause parking “chaos”, according to neighbouring tenants on Hornbeam Park. 

As we reported in February, the college is replacing its main building and constructing a £20 million renewable energy skills hub to ‘future-proof’ the site. 

Luminate Education Group, of which Harrogate College is a member, applied for planning permission for the project in August and the case is due to be decided upon by today. 

Preparatory work has already begun on site and Harrogate College has announced that its car park, which it says is used by around 70 staff and students at any one time, will be closed from Monday, April 22 to allow work to proceed.

The college aims to move into the new main campus building in July 2025, after which the current property will be demolished, making way for new parking facilities. 

In the meantime, the college will have 242 fewer car-parking spaces, and has told staff and students to park at the Hornbeam Park rail station and in nearby streets. In its construction management plan, main contractor Caddick Construction states: 

“We encourage the use of the nearby station car-park.” 

But neighbouring tenants on the business park say the rail halt car-park is usually full, and neighbouring streets are not a satisfactory solution to the shortage of spaces. 

Chris Bentley is director of Hornbeam Park Developments, which owns and runs the business park. He told the Stray Ferret: 

“I am not objecting to the new college – I applaud the fact that they are replacing it with an all new facility, fit for purpose for the next generation. 

“What I am objecting to is the displacement of car-parking without thought to the businesses here at Hornbeam. They are also encouraging their car-users to park at the rail halt or around the nearby residential area. 

“It’ll cause chaos to the businesses here – there is no extra available parking on the site and the Hornbeam Park railway station car park it always full. 

“When the project was originally proposed we were given to understand that a new college car-park would be rebuilt on the old building’s site. 

“Now we find that they are reducing the allocation by a third from 242 currently available down to 88, based on a one-day survey taken as we came out of covid.” 

Photo of Harrogate College, on Hornbeam Park.

Harrogate College, on Hornbeam Park.

His views are echoed by several Hornbeam Park tenants who left comments on the council’s online planning portal. 

In his comment, Alan Fisher, facilities manager at nearby Techbuyer, said: 

“Our concern is that it may devolve into a chaotic situation, with people potentially parking in other spaces across Hornbeam Park, including our staff car-parks which are already reaching capacity. Such a scenario could adversely affect our business and staff, as well as customers and clients.” 

He added: 

“We have a large number of heavy vehicles delivering to our sites, and third parties – who haven’t been briefed as our staff are – pose a safety risk in relation to the operation of these vehicles and the forklifts needed to load and unload them.” 

Also commenting on the planning application, Deb Robinson, of family business Witch Casket, said: 

“I already have issues with our parking spaces, stopping my employees being able to park in our own dedicated car-park and deliveries from being made to our warehouse. People have been incredibly abusive and this has caused great emotional distress to our staff.”

Mr Bentley suggested that the college use a nearby field – believed to be owned by Hull College and the Department for Education – as a temporary car-park. However, Harrogate College said it explored the idea but found it was impractical for a number of reasons, principally due to the impact on traffic. It said North Yorkshire Council had advised that making the field into a car-park would require altering all of Hornbeam Park Avenue – the main road through the business park – to ensure safe access.

Danny Wild, Principal of Harrogate College, said the closure of the car-park could not be avoided and said that Caddick Construction had secured 20 spare parking spaces at Hornbeam Park to mitigate the shortfall. He told the Stray Ferret:
“Our exciting £20 million rebuild will allow us to provide the education and training required by Harrogate and North Yorkshire now and in the future, and so bolster the local economy by filling the skills gaps, including in the fast-growing sustainability sector, currently holding us back.
“Doing so will bring great and long-term benefits to our students, community and businesses, which is what we are committed to.
“The temporary closure of our car-park is a necessary part of this project. During this time, we are advising our staff and students to either make alternative travel arrangements to college where possible or to park responsibly in the local area.”

Hornbeam Park has about 120 tenants, and it is estimated that around 4,500 people work and study on the park each day. All the roads providing access around the site belong to site owner Hornbeam Park Developments Ltd, so parking there is not a matter for North Yorkshire Council.

There is no longer any direct bus service from Harrogate town centre to Hornbeam Park, but commuters can still catch buses as far as either Leeds Road, which is 750m away, or Oatlands Drive, 500m away. Both fall within the walking distances deemed acceptable under Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation guidelines. 

The regular rail service between Harrogate and Leeds also stops at Hornbeam Park 30 times per day in each direction. 

The redevelopment of Harrogate College’s site will create modern facilities such as a mock hospital ward, digital technology suite, electric vehicle workshop and a construction centre focused on teaching modern building methods. 

A total of £16m of the funding has come from the Department for Education’s Further Education Capital Transformation Fund. 

Luminate Education Group is a collection of six education providers based in the Leeds City Region and also includes Leeds City College, Leeds Conservatoire, Keighley College, University Centre Leeds and Leeds Sixth Form College.

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World famous orchestra coming to Harrogate

The line-up for this year’s Harrogate Music Festival has been announced today.

The festival, which will take place in June and July, includes a range of live music from classical and chamber to cabaret and jazz.

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra  will launch the festival with an opening night performance at the Royal Hall on June 8.

It will be the world famous orchestra’s first time in Harrogate for more than a decade.

The programme features Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte, Carl Maria von Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No.1 and Jean Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2. Ludovic Morlot will be the conductor for the night, joined by soloist Oliver Janes.

This year’s line-up also includes the Gildas Quartet as well as the Maxwell Quartet, British jazz singer Jo Harrop, contemporary soul singer Mica Sefia, and Bradford-based dance company Punjabi Roots.

Further acts will be announced.

Sharon Canavar, chief executive of Harrogate International Festivals, the arts charity that organises the festival, said:

 “We are delighted to have the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra launching this year’s summer season. It has such a rich heritage and is one of the most revered orchestras around.

“Harrogate’s audience will be able to get the Proms experience without needing to trek down to London, so this really is an opportunity for classical music fans in the north to enjoy an internationally renowned orchestra performing in a world class venue.”

Tickets are available here.

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Great Yorkshire Show on the hunt for farmer models

The organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show are on the hunt for catwalk models for its 2024 fashion shows.

Following last year’s shows where rookie models walked alongside professionals, Yorkshire Agricultural Society is now seeking farmers or agricultural workers to take part in its 2024 ‘farm to fashion’ shows.

Those wanting to strut their stuff need to apply online here by 10am on Friday April 19.

Two fashion shows a day will take place on the sheep shearing stage at 12 and 4.30pm every day apart from Friday.

Two amateur models from last year, Luke Johnson and Clarke Doughney, will once again feature on the runway this July.

Mr Johnson, an agricultural and forestry contractor, said:

“I got in touch because being in the shows last year was brilliant; I absolutely loved it and would encourage anyone to give it a try. Bernadette, the fashion show coordinator, is a great teacher and, along with the professional models, she was so encouraging that it soon became fun.

“What I’d say to anyone thinking of entering the competition is: “just do it… you’ll enjoy it and who knows where it could lead! I’ve even had some modelling work from it.”

Mr Doughney, an apprentice engineer, said:

“It still surprises me how much I got from the whole experience, including meeting people I’d never have come across as well as working alongside TV stars such as Peter Wright, the Yorkshire Vet, who was great.”

The shows will feature collections from national and regional designers, including a selection of brand partners from British Wool, highlighting the important role of UK sheep farmers as the starting point for fashion.

Tickets for the 165th show, which takes place from July 9 to 12, are on sale now.

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Lib Dems win Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone by-election

The Liberal Democrats have won the Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone by-election on North Yorkshire Council.

Lib Dem candidate Andrew Timothy finished first with 1,094 votes, ahead of Conservative John Ennis with 768.

It means the Liberal Democrats have retained control of the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee. They have seven councillors, while the Conservatives have four and there are two Independents.

The Conservatives remain in control of North Yorkshire Council, with 44 of the 90 councillors. Three Independents who formed a Conservatives and Independents group helped maintain the Tories’ grip on power.

Yesterday’s by-election was called following the resignation of Lib Dem councillor Pat Marsh.

The result, which was declared at Woodlands Methodist Church on Wetherby Road just before midnight, was:

The turnout was 41%.

Mr Timothy left as soon as the count had concluded, declining to be interviewed.

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Harrogate woman admits having custody of dog whilst banned

A Harrogate woman has pleaded guilty to being in possession of a dog whilst disqualified.

Holly Jones, of St John’s Crescent, appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court yesterday.

According to court documents, the 30-year-old was handed a court order by magistrates in 2019, which banned her from having custody of a dog.

However, she was found to possess one on March 15 this year.

Jones pleaded guilty to the offence.

She was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £85 in prosecution costs and a £48 surcharge as a result.

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Details of proposed Harrogate children’s home revealed

Further details about plans to convert a Harrogate house into a children’s home have been revealed.

It comes after Jolyon McKay tabled a change of use application to North Yorkshire Council last month.

It outlined plans to turn Oak Back, a house on Ashgarth Court near Ashville College, into C2 classified housing – which refers to residential accommodation for people in need of care.

The Stray Ferret reported on the plans at the time of submission, which generated some concern among social media followers.

However, an email from the applicant to the case officer was yesterday posted to the planning portal, which paints a clearer picture of what the children’s home would involve if approved.

The applicant said he wanted the home to be a “nurturing environment” for children aged 11 to 18.

The letter added the staff already involved have a “wealth of expertise to ensure the highest standard of care”, adding:

“We have a healthcare recruitment professional with over three decades of experience across various specialties… with a proven track record of successfully managing care agencies covering a wide spectrum of needs…she is committed to delivering exceptional support.”

The document said a retired social worker with “over 40 years of dedicated service in children and young people’s social work” would also be employed, as well as a registered nurse with “extensive experience in caring for young people with complex needs, as well as mental health concerns”.

Mr McKay also said the home aimed to “collaborate closely with local authorities and neighbouring councils” and focus on recruiting local care staff.

The children’s home would be Ofsted registered, the document said, adding it would work to comply with “stringent regulations”. It added:

“We will meticulously craft policies covering various scenarios, including measures for missing children, such as implementing a comprehensive missing persons grab pack.”

The applicant says the overarching goal was to create a “family-style placement home that fosters a sense of belonging and security for the children” by “steering away” from a clinical environment.

Mr McKay said the home’s commitment to safety and supervision was “unwavering”. There would always be a minimum of one staff member present to ensure the wellbeing of the children and maintain a “peaceful environment that respects the neighbourhood”, he added.

In a separate covering letter submitted with the proposal, the applicant said the home would “remain looking and feeling as if it were an average home”.

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the application at a later date.

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Coffee shop on A59 calls for Kex Gill business support

A coffee shop owner has called on North Yorkshire Council to provide financial support for businesses affected by the ongoing A59 road closure at Kex Gill.

Mark Trickett, who owns the Outside Inn at Menwith Hill, said turnover had fallen to a third of its usual level due to the reduction in traffic.

The road is not due to reopen until at least the end of June, prompting Mr Trickett to call on the council to provide financial support to companies whose futures are at risk.

He and wife Teresa bought the site, which was previously the Millstones, in 2022. He said last year — its first full year of trading — went well.

But the sudden closure of the main route between Harrogate and Skipton on February 2, and subsequent appearance of ‘Road Closed’ signs, have massively reduced traffic and hammered trade at the time of year when it is usually taking off.

He said the Outside Inn was more vulnerable to the closure than some other nearby businesses because it relied heavily on daytime passing trade but he felt everyone affected deserved support. He said:

“We were going really well and this is absolutely murdering us.”

The business, which is situated along the A59, includes a 30-seat coffee shop and an 80-seat Sunday carvery restaurant that also caters for weddings. Mr Trickett also operates motorhome business Whittams from the site.

The couple employ 23 part-time staff and have had to let two go because of declining trade.

Mr Trickett outside the coffee shop.

Mr Trickett said:

“I understand the council is trying to resolve the situation. But if they know there is an issue and there is a likelihood businesses will close and people will be jobless, they should be looking at some sort of solution.

“If we only had the cafe and no reserves we would close tomorrow. Every day this lasts is costing us money.”

Mr Trickett, who has written to council chief executive Richard Flinton and Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith about the matter, said if support were not forthcoming he would contact other local businesses with a view to commencing joint legal action.

But the council appears to have ruled out providing any funds.

Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director of environment, said:

“We appreciate that the closure of the A59 is having a significant impact on businesses, commuters and residents, and we sincerely apologise for this disruption. There is no legal requirement under the Highways Act to pay compensation as a result of disruption caused by highways works, but we are doing all we can to complete the repair as quickly and safely as possible.

“Our contractors have started preparatory work and will be working extended daylight hours and weekends to allow the road to be reopened before the end of June.

“In the meantime, we are speaking to individual local businesses to see if they would like general business advice. We will keep the public updated as work progresses.”

When the Stray Ferret visited the Outside Inn today (April 11) and showed Mr Trickett the council’s response, he said:

“What advice can they give? People are suffering, we are losing trade and have had to lay off staff. Their business advice means nothing.”

Mr Trickett echoed the claims of those who think the council-funded work on the £68.8 million road realignment at Kex Gill caused the landslip that led to the road closure at nearby Blubberhouses.

The council has denied this.

Mr Battersby previously said:

“We have no evidence to say the works that they’ve done have caused this.”

He added “very wet weather” in the landslip-prone area had “accelerated what has already been happening and caused us that problem”.

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Review: Unhomely: Three Tales of Terror at Harrogate Theatre

Lauren Crisp is a book editor, writer and keen follower of arts and culture. Born and raised in Harrogate, Lauren recently moved back to North Yorkshire after a stint in London, where she regularly reviewed theatre – everything from big West End shows to small fringe productions. She is now eager to explore the culture on offer in and around her home town.  You can contact Lauren on laurencrispwriter@gmail.com. 

Adam Z. Robinson, writer, performer and founding member of theatre company, The Book of Darkness and Light, loves a spooky tale.

And that is what we are promised with Unhomely: Three Tales of Terror, each thread, as the play’s title suggests, loosely based around the idea of home and its hidden horrors. Here, home is anything but homely.

It is a house, crumbling, Gothic-like, engulfed by a smoke-machine-induced fog, that provides the production’s backdrop, along with a ghostly score and dim lighting. As the play opens, we are given a choice: to stay, or to leave now, before it is too late…

Mirroring the play’s structure is its cast of three: writer Robinson himself narrates, and is joined by two players, Amy Helena and Brian Duffy, who perform using a combination of British Sign Language and Visual Vernacular, a physical theatre technique combining gestures, bodily expression and mime as a narrative tool.

Each cast member plays a myriad of characters, all the while ensuring clarity of delivery. Each tale feels distinct from the other, each presented and told in a slightly different way, and there is, at the play’s core, a real sense of classic storytelling. A multifaceted approach to this age-old practice injects a novel, attention-grabbing feel.

Yet, this spooky play isn’t altogether that spooky, marred, for me, by being too long. Each segment feels like a novella rather than a short story, and by the end, I felt like I’d endured a chunky, under-edited tome.

It also had a touch of the predictable about it, lacking the body and depth to make this a terrifying tale unlike anything we’ve ever seen or heard before.

The play’s storytelling is where its true potential lies, and in its ability to weave together inclusive narrative approaches. With some refinement, I’m sure it could deliver on its spooky promise to chill and thrill.  

Unhomely: Three Tales of Terror is at Harrogate Theatre until Saturday, April 13.

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Council eliminates apostrophes from Harrogate district road signs

North Yorkshire Council is to abolish apostrophes on road signs.

The news comes after a Harrogate resident, who wished to remain anonymous, contacted the Stray Ferret to complain about a grammatical error on the new St Mary’s Walk sign in the town.

He said the sign was “spelled incorrectly with no apostrophe”, adding it had been placed opposite another St Mary’s Walk sign, which is grammatically correct.

The Stray Ferret put the resident’s concerns to the council. A spokesperson said in response:

“Regarding grammar, the council, along with many others across the country, has opted to eliminate the apostrophe from street signs.”

The new format will be “adopted when road signs are replaced”, they added.

The resident responded to the council’s move:

“I do not feel I have been consulted about the council deciding to use poor English language and the council has not responded to me when I raised the issue.”

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St Mary’s Walk is not the only Harrogate road to fall victim to grammatical errors. St Winifred’s Road, on the south side of the town, also has contradictory spellings on signs.

The signs reflect the change of format, meaning the older one includes an apostrophe and another does not.

The contradicting signs. Pic: Google Maps.

A similar initiative back in 2014 which proved less than popular.

The Guardian reported in 2014 that Cambridge City Council’s decision to abolish apostrophes led to a backlash from “self-declared defenders of grammar” who used marker pens to fill in missing apostrophes on road signs.

Work set to begin on Mojo bar extension in Harrogate

Work to extend the bar at Mojo in Harrogate is to begin in the next fortnight.

Voodoo Doll Limited, which trades as Mojo, plans to convert commercial office space on the first floor into a seating area. The extension will add an additional 2,000 sq ft to the bar area.

Construction work is due to begin on the venue on Parliament Street on April 22 and is expected to be complete by the end of May. although, Voodoo Doll Limited told the Stray Ferret it would “prefer not to commit to a specific date at this time”.

Plans were first submitted in September and were approved by North Yorkshire Council in January. In documents submitted to the council, the company said the move would help to cope with demand at the bar.

It said:

“The proposed extended customer floor space seeks to address demand and reflects the success of the business in Harrogate and as such will positively contribute to the character and vitality of the town centre.”

Company director Martin Greenhow said:

“We at Mojo are thrilled to announce our plans to expand our Harrogate site. In response to the popularity of our existing Shuffleboard and beer pong tables, we’ve decided to introduce some exciting new features. While we’re keeping the final details under wraps for now, you can expect to see the very best in competitive socialising coming soon to Harrogate.”

Drawings of the first floor extension, coloured in red

Mojo was established in 1996 in Leeds and has since opened bars in Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield. The Harrogate bar opened in 2018 and is now a prominent part of the town’s night scene.

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