Call for urgent review of new bins after dog poo bags litter Jennyfields

A councillor has called for an urgent review of litter bins in the Jennyfields area of Harrogate after reports of dog poo bags piling up.

North Yorkshire Council has removed three bins close to Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre — formerly the Hydro — and replaced them with two larger bins.

The old bins were situated in areas used by walkers and dog owners but the new ones are alongside main roads.

This makes them easier to empty but less convenient for people using the fields around the leisure centre to use.

Consequently litter and dog waste bags are being left to pile up.

Councillor Michael Harrison, a Conservative who represents the area on North Yorkshire Council, said the new bins were designed for dog waste and general waste and are emptied by household waste collection crews rather than requiring a separate collection.

He added:

“These have been successfully rolled out in the other villages I represent after some initial teething problems.

“I am however aware of the specific concerns raised in Jennyfields and have asked for an urgent review of the number and siting of the bins.”

Dog owners are discarding dog waste where the bins used to be on the fields rather than carry it to Ripon Road.

Jennyfields residents have contacted the Stray Ferret with their concerns since the new bins arrived last week.

Elizabeth Horner said:

“I live near the Hydro fields and the amount of rubbish from having no bins in area has got disgusting.

“Sadly I’ve counted 15 bottles on the field today.”

Dog walker Diana Salama added:

“I have spoken to seven other dog walkers who regularly walk their dogs at the Hydro. All were puzzled and confused as there is nowhere to easily dispose of poo.

“One lady commented that to go up to the main road meant a long detour and putting the dog on a lead and she would not do this.

“Two were confused and had ended up taking poo home but had no intention of doing this ongoing. Two had left poo bags where the bin used to be.”

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She added:

“No one felt the new concept was effective for dog walkers even though it’s clearly better for the council.”

Ms Salama said there was particular anger at the removal of the bin next to the basketball court.

The field near the basketball court.

The Stray Ferret spoke to several dog walkers in the area this morning who agreed. They said the amount of litter and dog waste in this area, where young people congregate, was worrying.

We asked North Yorkshire Council why the change had been made and whether any consultation had been carried out.

However, a spokesperson said the officer responsible was currently on leave and therefore it could not comment.

New bins being rolled out across Harrogate district

The new bin policy is being rolled out across the Harrogate district. About 250 small bins are being replaced by larger ones.

Dog walkers in nearby Knox expressed concerns in June when the change was implemented there.

Photo of Knox resident Maxie Schiffmann looking into a green wheelie bin for dog waste that North Yorkshire Council has placed near her front gate.

Maxie Schiffman-Rowinski has complained to the council about the new dog waste bin in front of her house in Knox.

Paul Haslam, a Conservative who represents Bilton and Nidd Gorge on the council, said the situation would be reviewed at the end of next month.

Cllr Haslam said the new approach freed up time for the street cleansing team to do other jobs, such as sweep streets.

He added it was also more environmentally friendly because the larger bins contained wheelie bins that could be emptied by machines whereas the smaller old bins contained plastic bags that had to be replaced regularly.

Police find man who went missing from Harrogate hospital

Police have confirmed a man who went missing from a hospital in Harrogate has been found.

The man was reported missing from the hospital on Ripon Road on the morning of Wednesday, August 9.

He was last seen walking towards Parliament Street.

In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said it was thought he may have been in West Yorkshire or heading towards the Burnley area.

Officers urged the public to dial 999 immediately if they saw the man and not to make any contact or approach him.

However, on Wednesday evening, they confirmed he had been located safe and well, and thanked everyone who had shared the appeal.

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Inquest opens into death of well-known Harrogate restaurant owner

An inquest has opened into the death of well-known Harrogate restaurant owner, Stefano Lancellotti.

Mr Lancellotti, 56, who was born in Sasso Marconi near Bologna in northern Italy, was found dead at his home on Yewdale Road on July 21.

He owned Sasso Italian restaurant on Princes Square, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Catherine Cundy, area coroner for North Yorkshire, opened an inquest into his death at a hearing in Northallerton this morning.

Ms Cundy said Mr Lancellotti was found dead at his home.

The hearing was adjourned for a full inquest at a later date.

Friends and customers were invited to pay their respects to Mr Lancellotti at a memorial service at Stonefall Cemetery this afternoon.

A wake was then held for close friends and immediate family only.

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Inquest opens into death of Harrogate woman Sophie Lambert

An inquest opened today into the death of Harrogate woman Sophie Lambert, who went missing for five days in June.

Ms Lambert, 22, left her home in Starbeck on June 16. Hundreds of people took part in searches to find her.

North Yorkshire Police also launched a missing person search, which included helicopters, drones and dogs and was supported by mountain and underwater rescue teams.

Her body was found in the River Nidd near Lands Lane, Knaresborough, by a member of the public five days later.

Catherine Cundy, area coroner for North Yorkshire, opened an inquest into Ms Lambert’s death at a hearing in Northallerton this morning.

She confirmed Ms Lambert was certified dead on June 21, 2023.

Ms Cundy added that a provisional cause of death of “drowning by immersion in fresh water” has been reported.

The hearing was adjourned to a date to be confirmed when a full inquest will take place.

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Plans to install 12 electric vehicle charging points at Wetherby Services

Plans have been submitted to install 12 electric vehicle charging points at Wetherby Services.

Gridserve, a sustainable energy firm in Kirk Deighton, has applied to North Yorkshire Council for the scheme just off junction 46 of the A1(M).

Gridserve was granted planning permission in November 2021 to alter the service station car park to create an electric vehicle charging hub for 24 vehicles. The application also included the creation of 17 additional car parking spaces in a new parking area.

The hub was completed in July 2022 but is not yet in use.

The new proposal, which appeared on the council website this week, has downsized the scheme to 12 charging spaces — half as many as the previous application — and no longer includes a new parking area.

Gridserve is also seeking permission to install electrical equipment that would enable the charging bays to be activated.

The company said in a letter to the council:

“The development is similar to that previously granted permission at the site, but at a smaller scale and with the addition of detailed specification of supporting electrical infrastructure to allow operation of existing and future chargers.”

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The letter adds:

“Gridserve is implementing and building a network of high-power chargers across the country that will provide UK motorists with fast, easy and low carbon charging solutions.

“Many will be located at existing destinations such retail parks and garden centres and will allow customers to use those amenities whilst being able to access dependable charging infrastructure.”

It added the government had a target to deliver at least six high powered EV chargers at every motorway service area across England by 2023.

The charging bays will be situated at the most northerly area of the car park, next to to the Days Inn hotel.

 

People on council house waiting list in Harrogate district set to bid for homes

North Yorkshire Council is set to extend its system of “choice-based” social housing into the Harrogate district.

The initiative, which allows tenants to bid for homes advertised through the authority by housing associations, aims to give those on the waiting list more choice over where they live.

The authority set up its choice-based scheme, called North Yorkshire Home Choice, in 2011.

However, it currently does not operate in the Harrogate district.

North Yorkshire Council replaced Harrogate Borough Council on April 1 and as part of its move to a single social housing policy, the council is set to consult on extending the scheme into the district.

It would see the council offer choice-based social housing through its partners such as Broadacres Housing Association, Yorkshire Housing and Beyond Housing.

The Stray Ferret asked the council why it had decided to extend the North Yorkshire Home Choice scheme to Harrogate instead of sticking with the district’s current social housing policy.

A spokesperson said:

“At present the council operates two allocation schemes, North Yorkshire Home Choice which covers all localities except for Harrogate, and a standalone allocation scheme covering the former Harrogate Borough Council area.

“Local Government (Structural Changes) (General) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 provides a period of two years for the housing allocation schemes inherited from predecessor councils to be revised and harmonised across the new unitary authority.

“The new draft policy has been drawn together from the two existing allocations policies of the predecessor councils.

“North Yorkshire Council would operate one social housing allocations scheme across the county.

“Support will be provided to all applicants where the changes affect them, for example if they are required to re-register a housing application.”

The move would see 2,084 people who are currently on the Harrogate housing list re-registered as part of the move to a single policy.

The local authority said it plans to hold face-to-face events and additional communications in Harrogate to “support applicants through the process”.

The council also plans to hold a 12-week consultation on the initiative between August and November this year.

Cllr Simon Myers, executive councillor for culture, arts and housing, will be recommended to approve the consultation at meeting today.

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Business Breakfast: Ripon engineering firm appoints operations director

The Stray Ferret Business Club’s next meeting is an after work drinks event on Thursday, August 31 at The West Park Hotel in Harrogate between 5-7pm. 

The Business Club provides monthly opportunities to network, make new connections and hear local success stories. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

Ripon-based Econ Engineering has appointed a new operations director.

Gareth Legg, who was most recently managing director at Crossroads Truck & Bus Ltd, will take up the role.

Mr Legg will be tasked with overseeing all four of the company’s depots and ensure the smooth running of departmental activities.

He said:

“I am thrilled to be joining the team at Econ which has a fantastic history, reputation, and product offering. 

“When I first visited it was the attention to detail and obvious pride in everything they do which stood out to me and why this opportunity is so exciting.”

Jonathan Lupton, managing director at Econ Engineering, said: 

“We’re excited to welcome Gareth and look forward to making the most of his skills and experience.

“He has a fantastic CV and is extremely knowledgeable in our field of expertise. He will bring insight and fresh ideas from the outside world, which will ensure we retain our position as the market leader.”

Small business networking session to be held in Harrogate

A networking event aimed at small and medium businesses will be held at Harrogate Convention Centre this month.

Connect Over a Cuppa aims to offer advice, funding opportunities and business ideas to SMEs.

The event is organised by North Yorkshire Council and will be held on August 17 at Co-Lab Harrogate in the convention centre.

More sessions are available on September 21, October 19 and November 16. All start from 9.30am and last for 90 minutes.

For more information on the networking events, visit the Eventbrite page here.

Harrogate woman to swim English Channel distance for charity

A Harrogate woman is set to swim the equivalent distance of the English Channel for the 11th time in aid of charity.

Angie Russell, who lives in Bilton, will take on the challenge to raise money for Aspire.

The charity, which was founded in 1982, provides practical support those who have been paralysed by a spinal cord injury.

Angie was inspired to help after reading an article about how the organisation helped a man who broke his spine in a car accident.

She will take on the Aspire channel swim on September 18, which tasks participants with swimming 22 miles over the course of 12 weeks.

Those taking part can swim the distance in their own time and at a place of their choice, such as a local swimming pool.

Speaking ahead of the swim, Angie said:

“I love swimming because I love the water and the freedom it offers, the meditative state it brings and the relaxing and stress-relieving benefits, as well as general fitness and toning.  

“I enjoy the Aspire channel swim because it gives me the focus of swimming a certain distance within a certain time. 

“I have a busy life and it gives me an ‘excuse’ to take time for myself to go swimming and to help a good cause.”

The Aspire channel swim has so far seen 381 swimmers sign up and raised £6,144.

For more information on the challenge and to donate, visit the Aspire website here.

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Mint Velvet plans to open in former Harrogate Joules store

A high street women’s fashion chain looks set to open in the former Joules store on Harrogate’s James Street.

Mint Velvet has applied to North Yorkshire Council to refurbish and display signage at the unit.

The outlet has been empty since Joules closed its store on May 20.

It followed the company falling into administration in November 2022 until Next rescued it by paying £34 million for the business, plus £7 million for the head office site.

Now, Mint Velvet has tabled plans to refurbish and rebrand the former Joules store.

In documents submitted to the council, the company said:

“The building is an existing retail unit, which will be refurnished and re-branded to trade as Mint Velvet.

“The proposal comprises a number of alterations to the facade and the internal retail space, the works are intended to achieve a store environment reflective of Mint Velvet’s brand design language.”

The current Mint Velvet store on Harrogate's James Street.

The current Mint Velvet store on Harrogate’s James Street.

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

The move comes as the fashion chain has already opened new outlets in former Joules stores in Solihull and Chelmsford.

The Stray Ferret approached Mint Velvet to clarify the future of its current store at 36A James Street, but did not receive a response.

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Royal Mail massively reduces opening times at Harrogate delivery office

The Royal Mail has massively reduced the opening times at its Harrogate delivery office on Claro Road.

The site, where people collect mail they missed when it was delivered to their homes, is now open for just 14 hours a week.

It previously served customers for 42 hours a week, which means the service has been cut by two-thirds.

It is now open from 8am to 10am Monday to Friday and from 8am to noon on Saturday. It is closed on Sunday.

It was previously open from 8am to 4pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, from 8am to noon on Monday and from 8am to 6pm on Thursday. It opened from 8am to noon on Saturday and closed on Sunday.

The Royal Mail is reducing its opening times to two hours a day at half of its delivery offices.

Local people have expressed anger on social media about the changes, with many saying the times are inconvenient for people who work. One said:

“Why bother opening, most people are at work between them times. Saturday mornings are going to be busy.”

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‘Reduced need’

The Royal Mail said there was reduced need for customer service points, such as those provided at Claro Road in Harrogate.

A spokesperson said:

“We understand the importance that some customers attach to customer service points as one of a number of ways in which they can access our services. An increase in doorstep services such as Parcel Collect and Safeplace are helping us to enhance customer convenience and deliver more parcels first time.

“In May this year, we also introduced automatic redelivery of parcels the next working day across the UK for customers who are not at home when posties attempt to deliver the first time. Over 99% of parcels are now successfully delivered to customers on the first or second delivery attempt. This is reducing the need for customers to collect parcels from customer service points.

“To keep pace with the changing behaviour of our customers, we have amended the opening hours of customer service points. We have a range of options free-of-charge for customers who want to arrange for an item to be redelivered. Details of how to arrange this can be found on our website.

“Approximately half of customer service point opening hours have remained at their current times.”