Government approves plans for holiday flats at Harrogate Post Office

The government has approved a plan to convert a former Post Office in Harrogate into 23 holiday apartments.

The Post Office on Cambridge Road controversially relocated to WH Smith in 2019 amid claims by Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones the service was being “downgraded”. The building has stood empty since.

In December last year, Harrogate Borough Council rejected plans by Leeds-based Priestley Group to convert the building into self-serviced holiday flats with a commercial unit on the ground floor.

At the time, the council cited poor residential amenity, lack of information on waste disposal and “a significant adverse impact on the vitality or viability of the retail offering” as reasons for refusal.

However, the government’s Planning Inspectorate has now approved the plan after Priestley Group appealed the decision.

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In her decision notice, Susan Hunt, a planning inspector, said although the apartments would not be suitable for long-term residents, those living in the flats would be “temporary and transient”.

She added that a condition could be set for waste disposal to “appropriately deal with the council’s concern”.

Ms Hunt also said the addition of a commercial unit would add to the vibrancy and vitality of the town centre.

She said:

“I have had regard to the comments that the council’s economic section and the advice from a commercial agent that a smaller unit would be more affordable for and attractive to individual and independent retailers. 

“There is a lack of evidence before me to suggest that smaller retail and commercial units would harm the vitality and viability of the town centre. Accordingly, I consider that a variety of sizes of unit would add to the choice within Harrogate town centre.”

The move comes as the developer had previously had plans for 11 flats at the site approved in February this year.

The Stray Ferret asked Priestley Group whether it would now proceed with the latest approval for holiday flats for the site, but had not received a response by the time of publication.

Harrogate town council set to be formed as 66% back the idea

Plans to create a Harrogate town council look set to go ahead after a second consultation revealed the majority of respondents support the idea.

Letters were posted to 35,583 homes in Harrogate inviting them to have their say on the subject.

The results, published today, reveal 65.5% said they were in favour of the move — which would lead to the creation of a new council tax charge.

However, just 1,698 responded, which represents just 4.7% of households.

North Yorkshire Council launched the second consultation as part of a community governance review in March.

Harrogate and Scarborough are the only parts of the county not to have a parish or town council.

The areas in Harrogate which would fall under the new town council.

The areas in Harrogate which are set to pay extra council tax to fund the town council.

The first consultation in Harrogate, which began in August last year and received only a 3.5% response rate, revealed 75% supported a town council — so support has waned.

In a report due before councillors on Wednesday, a recommendation will be made to refer the responses to full council later this year.

Cllr David Chance, executive councillor for corporate services at the council, said:

“The public consultations which have been carried out in the areas under review have shown that there is support among residents who responded to the consultation for town councils to be created for both Harrogate and Scarborough.

“Full consultations have been conducted to gauge the public’s opinions on the proposals, and the recommendation is now for a full council meeting to discuss the plans for the two new councils.

“If the decision is taken to introduce the town councils for both Harrogate and Scarborough, this will provide more democratically-elected voices for both areas to ensure that the views of local people are heard effectively to help us deliver key services.”

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Establishing a town council, with yet to be determined powers, is expected to create an additional annual council tax charge of between £40 and £60 for the homes affected.

The town councils would be formed for administrative purposes from April 2024, and the first elections would be on May 2, 2024, when councillors would be elected for a reduced term of three years. Elections would then take place every four years from 2027.

The parish would be divided into divisions, based largely on the divisions that now apply since North Yorkshire Council was established in the spring.

A total of 19 members would be elected to the town council.

Urgent appeal to find Harrogate woman not seen for two weeks

Police are urgently appealing for information to find a Harrogate woman who has not been seen for two weeks.

Felicia Dunkley, 56, was last seen by neighbours at her flat on Spa Lane in Starbeck just before 6pm on Wednesday, June 14.

She was reported missing by her family on Tuesday, June 20.

North Yorkshire Police said last night concerns were growing for her welfare following enquiries in both North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.

It said in a statement:

“Felicia previously lived in Leeds and she is known to travel by bus to Leeds Bus Station.

“As well as her home in Starbeck, she has also lived in the Euclid Avenue area of Harrogate and often visited the Aldi supermarket on Oak Beck Road.

“She tends to go to busy areas such as shopping centres where she likes to sit down on benches or in seating areas.”

It added:

“Checks have been made with transport hubs, hospitals and homeless shelters without any sign of Felicia.

“It is not known if she has access to money and she does not have a mobile phone.”

Police are urging people to come forward if they have potentially seen Felicia at any point since June 14.

Felicia is described as black, aged 56, 5ft 6in tall, stocky build, medium-length black hair, and she wears glasses.

She is likely to have on a knitted grey cardigan, all dark clothing, and green trainers.

Anyone with information about Felicia’s whereabouts during the past two weeks should contact North Yorkshire Police without delay on 101, select option 1, and speak to the force control room.

For immediate sightings, dial 999.

Quote reference number 12230113606.

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Business Breakfast: Ripon firms share concerns with MP at first networking event

Staff well-being and culture have rapidly risen up the priority list for many employers.  At the next Stray Ferret Business Club  we’ll hear from award winning employer, LCF Law, on how organisations can ensure their teams are productive and happy. 

The lunch event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Ripon business organisation held its first networking event this past week as traders shared their concerns with the town’s MP Julian Smith.

Ripon Business Improvement District hosted the session at the Town Hall which was chaired by Stuart Gill of the Newby Hall Estate.

It included a question and answer session with Mr Smith as well as discussion over anti-social behaviour in the city, business rates and banking facilities.

Lilia Bathurst, manager at Ripon BID, said:

“Ripon BID would like to thank all those who attended, Stuart Gill for chairing the meeting and Janet Moore from Wakeman’s House Café who provided the excellent buffet lunch and looks forward to being able to host another networking event soon.”

Knaresborough firm wins award for fourth time

A Knaresborough car finance firm has won an award for the fourth time in a row.

Oracle Car FInance, which is based on Manse Lane, won the best specialist finance provider at the Credit Strategy Car Finance Awards 2023.

Staff from Oracle Car Finance at the ceremony.

Staff from Oracle Car Finance at the ceremony.

Held at Lancashire Cricket Club, the event aims to recognise dealers, brokers and independent lenders in the car industry.

Oracle picked up the award after winning it in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

A spokesperson for the firm said:

“The win is a huge testament to the hard work and dedication that everyone at Oracle Finance put into ensuring that we remain the ‘gold standard for car finance’ – not our words, the words of a number of our lenders on our expansive panel.”

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Harewood House reveals details of major redevelopment

Architects have been appointed to lead a major long-term redevelopment at Harewood House.

The scheme will see a new playground and visitor centre created and the gardens overhauled at the historic home of the Earl and Countess of Harewood.

Harewood House Trust, the charity that maintains the stately home between Harrogate and Leeds, said today the project will “deliver fantastic enhancements to Harewood’s visitor offer”.

It has declined to reveal the cost but said the project will be partly funded by the Lascelles Family Will Trust and by fundraising.

More than 250,000 visitors a year visit the grade I listed house, gardens and landscapes designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown.

This year the bird garden closed after more than 50 years and more major changes are now in the pipeline.

The bakehouse, a grade two listed building, will be converted to a welcome centre with visitor facilities and a family activity space.

The old play area will be replaced with what the trust described as “an imaginative and inclusive playground with appeal for all ages and abilities”.

The gardens and landscapes will be reimagined by the Landscape Agency in partnership with garden designer Matthew Wilson.

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Leeds firm Bauman Lyons Architects has been appointed to lead the scheme.

Rachel Crewes, chief executive of the trust, said:

“We are delighted to announce the appointment of such impressive teams at the outset of this project. Their combined experience of creatively developing public heritage spaces, with great sensitivity to conservation, sustainability and accessibility, will undoubtedly deliver fantastic enhancements to Harewood’s visitor offer.”

The trust hopes to apply for planning permission late this year and begin work on the playground first next year.

The Stray Ferret has asked the trust, which is fundraising for the project, how much it is expected to cost.

Starbeck children urge drivers to switch engines off at level crossing

Primary students in Starbeck have urged local drivers to turn off their engines while waiting at a level crossing.

Pupils took part in a competition organised by the Starbeck Residents’ Association to design a banner asking motorists to “Stop Idling”.

The Starbeck level crossing is known for being one of the most congested areas in Harrogate.  It is used on average by over 14,000 vehicles daily, many of which keep their engines running whilst waiting for a train to pass.

This is not the first time Starbeck Primary Academy has campaigned on the issue, having participated in an educational campaign on the same problem last year.

Chris Watt, Chair of the Starbeck Residents’ Association, commented:

“People using our High Street are being subjected to unnecessary air pollution which could be improved if drivers simply turned off their engines while waiting at the level crossing.

“They would also save on their own fuel bills.”

Approximately 40,000 deaths a year in the UK are linked to air pollution, according to the Royal College of Physicians. 

Emissions are particularly harmful to children’s growing lungs.

Headteacher, Garry de Castro-Morland said:

“This is a vital topic that we continue to discuss with our pupils and work closely with the community to tackle.”

He also emphasised the importance of a curriculum with a focus on environmental issues that could leave a positive impact on local communities.

The winning banner design, created by enthusiastic year five pupil Freya, 10, has recently been unveiled near Starbeck station where it is now visible to motorists.

Mr Watt added:

“The entries to our competition were amazing, showing huge imagination and creativity and we are delighted with the final banner.”

The Residents’ Association hopes that the school’s contribution will serve as a lasting reminder to drivers to switch their engines off at the crossing.

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Council’s 20mph review ‘kicking can down the road’

North Yorkshire Council‘s decision to refuse blanket 20mph zones across the county in favour of a speed limit review has been described as “kicking the can down the road” on road safety.

Councillors on the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee requested default 20mph zones in November 2022.

However, rather than accept the request the council has now said it will draw up a speed management strategy to “guide a countywide review of speed limits across towns, villages and rural road”.

Council officials said they did not support area-wide or default speed zones on the grounds that “each area will be considered on its own merits”.

Cllr Keane Duncan, the Conservative executive councillor for highways, said the proposal would “deliver real improvements” across the county.

He said:

“The new council is taking an ambitious, proactive approach to setting speed limits, built on evidence and community empowerment.

“This will move away from setting limits in a piecemeal fashion, where we look at one road in one location at a single point in time.

“By taking a strategic view of a town or village we will ensure speed limits there are effective and be able to identify positive changes in partnership with local communities.

“We cannot review all locations immediately, and resources will need to be prioritised, but our approach will deliver real improvements across all parts of the county over time, addressing concerns, improving safety and saving lives.”

But Cllr Pat Marsh, the Liberal Democrat chair of the area constituency committee, said the move would only delay the implementation of 20mph streets further.

She added that a speed management strategy, which the council says will take six months to draw up, was not needed to implement zones immediately.

Cllr Marsh said:

“It is an issue that affects the whole of North Yorkshire, they have got to address it.

“Get the 20mph zones in first and then monitor them. It really is just kicking the can down the road.”

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The council intends to undertake a series of planned speed limit reviews which will be “underpinned” by the speed management strategy.

It added that the move would “generate a rolling pipeline of safety improvement schemes for delivery”.

However, Cllr Arnold Warneken, Green Party member for Ouseburn, said the proposal lacked ambition and described it as “another delaying tactic”.

He said:

“There is no real substance to the North Yorkshire Council proposals. Whilst I was told to be patient as there was a comprehensive review taking place and the report would reflect this I was, and it does not, so now we have yet another example that the executive know better and show shallow concern and fake listening to the people they represent.

“We cannot keep putting off taking action to make our roads safer for everyone, we cannot keep putting off taking action to protect our environment, we cannot keep putting off taking action that will prevent life changing injuries or worse still fatalities. If not now, when?”

Ian Conlan, of the 20s Plenty North Yorkshire campaign group, said:

“There is a far better evidence base to have a default 20mph to replace existing 30mph limits, and develop an exceptions process to decide where to have higher speed limits than 20mph in a few roads in towns and villages, but only where vulnerable road users are fully protected.”

Mr Conlan urged supporters to demonstrate outside County Hall in Northallerton on Tuesday next week, when North Yorkshire Council’s executive will discuss the matter.

Starbeck Baths to close at Christmas for £29,000 heating repair work

Starbeck Baths looks set to be closed over Christmas for heating repair work costing £29,000.

North Yorkshire Council has commissioned a contractor to upgrade the controls for heating both the pool and the building.

Leeds-based Westminster Controls Limited is set to carry out the work during a “planned shutdown” of the facility over Christmas this year.

Nic Harne, the council’s corporate director of community development, said:

“The contract is to upgrade the controls responsible for heating both the pool and the building.

“The replacement controls will provide significantly better automation and efficient control of the heating and ventilation systems.

“The work is due to be carried out during the planned shutdown of the pool over Christmas.”

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The Stray Ferret has asked the council for the specific dates when the pool is planned to be closed but has not yet had a response.

It is due to be the second time this year the baths will shut for maintenance work.

The facility was closed for a month in April due to an “unforeseen mechanical failure”, which coincided with the Easter school holidays.

Brimhams Active, which was set up by Harrogate Borough Council but is now run by North Yorkshire Council, manages leisure facilities in the Harrogate district.

At the time, it said an an air leak in the pool plant equipment caused poor water clarity led to the closure.

The pool reopened on May 11.

Harrogate girl, 14, charged with causing £1,300 damage to Grand Hotel in Scarborough

A 14-year-old girl from Harrogate has been charged with causing £1,366 worth of damage to the Grand Hotel in Scarborough.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before a youth court held at Harrogate Magistrates Court on June 23.

She was charged with causing damage to multiple rooms across multiple floors, including the reception area, of the Grand Hotel on December 30 last year.

The court listed the cost of the damage at £1,366.

She was also charged with damaging five towels at a cost of £75 belonging to the Royal Hotel in Scarborough on March 26.

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The girl was also accused of maliciously wounding with intent to do him grievous bodily harm on April 29 and stealing from a Co-op on Newlands Park Drive in Scarborough on the same day.

The 14-year-old pleaded guilty to all the offences.

The court remanded her on bail until July 14 when she will appear for another hearing.

She was also banned from entering any hotel in Scarborough as part of her bail conditions.

Business Breakfast: Harrogate entrepreneur wins Pride award

Staff well-being and culture have rapidly risen up the priority list for many employers.  At the next Stray Ferret Business Club  we’ll hear from award winning employer, LCF Law, on how organisations can ensure their teams are productive and happy. 

The lunch event is lunch at Manahatta, on June 29th at 12.30pm. Get your tickets by clicking or tapping here.

A Harrogate entrepreneur has won an award at the 2023 Attitude Pride Awards in London.

The event, which was held at the Langham Hotel, honours those who support the LGBTQ+ community across 11 categories.

Luke Christian, who founded fashion brand Deaf Identity in 2019, picked up the community hero award for his efforts in promoting equality and breaking down barriers for the deaf and LGBTQ+ communities.

Mr Christian, who is deaf and a former Comic Relief designer, said:

“I am incredibly honoured and humbled to receive the community hero award at the 2023 Attitude Pride Awards. This honour serves as both a monument to my work and the fortitude and resiliency of the deaf and LGBTQ+ communities.

“I dedicate this honour to everyone who has ever felt silenced or marginalised, and I intend to keep changing lives for the better. Standing side by side with other community heroes and trailblazers was an absolute honour.”

Lancashire financial firm acquires Harrogate company

A Harrogate financial firm has been acquired by a Lancashire company.

Chorley-based Perspective Financial Group has taken on clients from Brigham Wealth Management as part of an acquisition of four firms.

The company has also acquired Brighter Financial Services Ltd in Halifax, Airedale Personal Financial Solutions Ltd in Holmer Green, Buckinghamshire and Granite Coast Ltd in Cambridge.

Brigham, which is based on Hornbeam Park, will retain its current offices.

David Brigham, of Brigham Wealth Management, said:

“Perspective fully shares the ethos, ethics and client focused approach of Brigham Wealth Management and we are sure this move will be of benefit to all our clients and contacts going forward.”

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