The leaders of opposition political groups on North Yorkshire County Council have criticised plans to fill the void left by the abolition of seven district councils by launching 30 unelected and unfunded “community networks”.

A series of concerns have been raised ahead of the council’s executive next Tuesday, which will consider establishing community networks to act as the “engine rooms” for social and economic change.

The leaders of the Liberal Democrat, Labour, Green and Independent groups, which collectively secured 59% of the votes at last May’s election, said both they and some members of the ruling Conservative group, which has a two-seat majority, had significant reservations over the move.

A statement issued by the council on Tuesday, said the networks, which it is hoped will include representatives of organisations, such as parish councils, police and the NHS, were being seen as “a hugely important element of the new North Yorkshire Council”, which will be launched on April 1.

It is hoped the networks will build on existing relationships and partnerships between the public, private and community and voluntary sectors, including the close working arrangements that were developed during the covid pandemic.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council.

The statement highlighted how the networks would include councillors and receive support from senior council officers, but would be independent of the new authority and be responsible for driving forward action plans centred on a specific area’s priorities.

County council leader, Cllr Carl Les, said: 

“While North Yorkshire Council will cover the largest geographical area of any local authority in the country, we are committed to being the most local too.

“The community networks will be invaluable to ensuring that the voices of communities across North Yorkshire are heard, and that local needs and priorities can be addressed.”

‘Don’t seem to make much sense’

Labour group leader Cllr Steve Shaw Wright said while the proposed organisations were “a start”, due to their lack of powers the networks would “end up like talking shops where people come and tub thump” and feature parishes with vastly different budgets and priorities.

He said: 

“They don’t seem to make much sense at the moment. My patch is so diverse, trying to get something that works for everybody is going to be difficult.”

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Cllr Andy Brown, leader of the Green group, said he did not understand how community networks would help and that there was a risk of confusion between the roles of parish and town councils, the county authority’s area constituency committees and the unitary council and mayoral combined authority.

He said: 

“I don’t understand when they were approved or how their geography was determined. My biggest concern is nobody consulted the local councillors about the geography of these networks.

“If you are going to have community networks they have to be communities.”

Independent group leader Cllr Stuart Parsons said the community networks would have “no power to make decisions or determine anything”.

He said: 

“How these organisations are supposed to have any impact is beyond me. 

“For example, if a Community Network was to make a recommendation to increase bus services the unitary council’s executive could just turn round and say it can’t afford it. There’s nothing for these networks to have any bite.”

Cllr Bryn Griffiths, the leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said although it was positive that members of communities would be working together to achieve a common goal, there were issues over the networks’ governance, accountability and how they would be financed.

He said: 

“There is potential for these networks to be hijacked by individuals for their own purposes and the role of elected members could be circumvented. I also have concerns they will go their own way and do their own thing.”

The Otley Road cycleway in Harrogate has cost £2,234,000 so far  — almost triple the amount awarded to contractors to construct the first phase.

Hull civil engineering firm PBS Construction was awarded £827,000 in 2021 to build phase one from Harlow Moor Road to Cold Bath Road.

The much-criticised route opened in January last year but subsequent remedial work and design fees for phase two of the project — which has since been scrapped — increased the cost significantly.

The widening of the Otley Road and Harlow Moor Road junction was the main remedial work.

The figures are contained in a North Yorkshire County Council report, which raises questions over whether the council had sufficient funds to complete the second phase of the scheme.

Councillor Keane Duncan, the Conservative executive member for highways and transportation at North Yorkshire County Council, said phase two had been dropped because it lacked public support.

But the report reveals the council has just £565,000 remaining of the £4,275,000 it secured in 2018 from the government’s National Productivity Investment Fund for measures that enabled development and business growth in west Harrogate

The funding and spending figures contained in the report are reproduced below.

According to the document, council officers received “multiple reports” about the design and construction of the cycleway from residents and groups such as Harrogate District Cycle Action after it opened. It adds:

“These were then reviewed with our design consultants WSP, and a list of remedial works have now been prepared.

“These remedial works were planned to be completed in the early part of 2023. However, in May 2022 the fibre optic network company City Fibre contacted North Yorkshire County Council with a request to install fibre optic cables down the full length of the newly constructed cycleway.

“We have negotiated with City Fibre to reinstate the full width of the cycleway at their expense. We will therefore carry out our outstanding remedial works once City Fibre have installed their apparatus.”

The report adds £60,000 of the remaining funds are expected to cover these remedial works.

Read more:

• Harrogate’s Otley Road to be dug up again
• Confirmed: second phase of Harrogate’s Otley Road cycle route scrapped

The council has said it will come up with new traffic calming measures in the west of Harrogate to compensate for scrapping phase two of the scheme, which would have extended the cycleway from Cold Bath Road towards Beech Grove.

It still has aspirations to construct phase three out of town to Cardale Park at an unspecified time in the future.

North Yorkshire County Council’s highways area manager Melisa Burnham said:

“Although construction costs increased to £970,000 following completion, this was still within our anticipated budget. The increase was a result of additional design works and remedials found whilst on site.

“The remaining costs include design, feasibility, surveys and utility diversions required to deliver phase one and two of the cycleway, and the Harlow Moor Road junction improvement to date.”

North Yorkshire County Council has revealed plans to expand places at Springwater School in Starbeck.

The authority’s executive will discuss plans on Tuesday to create an additional 45 places at the school.

Springwater School, which is based off High Street, teaches children aged two to 19 with “profound and multiple, severe or physical difficulties”.

A report due before councillors says the move would help to provide “more local, quality in-house special school places” within the county.

As part of the plan, the council intends to spend £3.1 million from its High Needs Provision Capital Allocation, which is granted by government.

However, Gary Fielding, strategic director of resources at the council, said in a report it was “disappointing” the amount of funding allocated to the council.

He said:

“Whilst it is appreciated that the Department for Education has prioritised resources to address limited capacity in special schools nationally, it is disappointing that the level of funding allocated to NYCC is the lowest in the country (expressed in terms of £ per pupil aged 2 to 18).”

Senior councillors will make a decision on the proposal at a meeting on February 21.

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Police have issued an appeal after an attempted house burglary on Bramham Drive in Jennyfields this week.

The incident happened on Monday between 2.15pm and 3pm.

Officers said “significant damage” was caused to the doors of the house, but the suspect failed to gain entry.

Police added that a driver of a dark coloured Seat Leon with a registration containing “70” was seen at the time of the attempted burglary.

The driver is described as a young white man with a round face, about 5ft 8in tall, with short dark hair and wearing a dark hoodie.

A North Yorkshire Police statement added:

“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email elizabeth.parry@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101, select option 2, and ask for Elizabeth Parry.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230027326 when providing details.”

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New Look is to close its store in Harrogate’s Victoria Shopping Centre.

Signs have gone up in the window of the shop saying it will close on February 26.

The fashion retailer sells women’s clothing at its large Harrogate site, which is particularly popular with teenage girls.

A source at the store said customers and staff were “gutted and upset” at the news. They added that the company wanted to remain in Harrogate but finding a vacant store large enough had proved difficult.

The Stray Ferret understands about eight jobs are affected by the news. The nearest New Look shops are in Leeds and York.

A New Look spokesperson said:

 “As part of the normal course of business, New Look occasionally closes sites, but also opens new stores when the right opportunities arise.

“Our most recent new openings were in November 2022 and we have plans for further openings in the first half of this year.”

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The Stray Ferret contacted the Victoria Shopping Centre this morning for further details but was told it had no information to share on the matter.

The news comes less than two weeks after River Island closed its Harrogate store.

New Look, which was founded in 1969, has about 440 shops in the UK.

The Unsung Hero Award is sponsored by The Big Bamboo Agency.

The Harrogate marketing and PR firm provides creative solutions to its clients.

The company’s expertise is delivering specialist strategies, brand development and website and social media management.

The Unsung Hero Award is designed to shine a light on individuals who are not only integral to the day to day, but are prepared to go the extra mile without prompt or payment.

The Finalists

Kayti Mewis, Mumbler

Kayti joined Mumbler as volunteer after moving to Harrogate and is now the Content Creator and Social Media Manager.

Sally Haslewood, Founder of Mumbler, said,

“Kayti immediately got stuck in and wrote countless blogs for me, all focused on her life as a young mum in Harrogate.

“Kayti is a joy to work with. To be honest, I don’t know what I would have done if she’d turned down the role, as she had fast become my right-hand woman”.

Kayti has added value across the whole company, including working in the sales sector, creating inspiration for parents during lockdown and is even due to co-present the Harrogate Mumbler Awards in November.

Kayti Mewis said:

“I’m absolutely delighted to be nominated for this award – let alone shortlisted!  Harrogate Mumbler is such an important resource for parents and carers in the area.

“Harrogate is a great place for families to live, and having a job which involves shouting about how great it is, is brilliant!”

Chris Ashby, Harrogate BID

In 2021, Harrogate BID recruited Chris Ashby to deep cleaning Harrogate town centre.

As the town’s Street Ranger Chris Ashby has delivered staggering results from his work and faced situations no one wants to face.

He has removed 126 graffiti tags, improved 38 building façades, disposed of 57 used needles and painted numerous bits of street furniture.

His actions in July last year hit the headlines when he rescued a person he found hanging from a tree in the town centre.

Matthew Chapman, Manager of Harrogate BID, said:

“We nominated Chris as, not only is the work he delivers top notch and making an evidential difference on a daily basis, but he is also somewhat of a Harrogate Ambassador. Chris reacts to the day job instantly, is offering regular and positive good mornings, hellos, helping with directions, alongside supporting some of the most vulnerable.

“As a sole person covering a huge area, Chris’s work has now become the norm. We have nominated him because, if there wasn’t a Chris, Harrogate would be very different place”.

Jago Wallace, Himalayan Garden

Jago Wallace’s “quiet determination” and passion for gardening has found him shortlisted for Unsung Hero.

Jago, a gardener at Ripon’s Himalayan Garden, began his horticulture career aged 17 and, six years later, has full responsibility for the gardens Plant Nursery. He also oversees the gardens National Collection of Rhododendrons. His duties involve knowledgeable plant care, training others, writing reports, keeping plant records and hosting talks and tours of the collection.

Jago always acts as a media spokesperson for the garden and is continuously developing new ideas for activities and features within the business.

Jago’s colleagues describe him as “a humble, gentle soul, who always surprises with his humour, willingness and knowledge”.

Jago said:

“It’s lovely to have been picked as a finalist for this award. Working at such an amazing garden with rare and incredibly interesting plants, the conservation we do helps these plants that are in danger in the wild from habitat loss, is hugely rewarding work.

“Being able to do this where I grew up and live makes what I do feel even more magical.”

The Stray Ferret Business Award event sponsor is Prosperis. To find more and to purchase tickets for the big night, click here.

A former local government ombudsman has launched a withering attack on two councils’ consultation over a North Yorkshire devolution deal.

Local government expert Anne Seex raised a litany of questions over the quality and results of the eight-week exercise to assess public support for a mayoral combined authority and government funding deal negotiated by City of York Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

However, a meeting of the county council’s executive heard just a single concern raised about the consultation’s mixed findings – that the deal could lead to an increase in bureaucracy – with numerous members instead expressing their excitement about the potential benefits of devolution.

Ex-ombudsman Mrs Seex told the meeting it was clear that those who took part in the consultation exercise in North Yorkshire had seen “more disadvantages than advantages” to the deal.

While the council has claimed “widespread support” for the devolution deal, Mrs Seex said online responses to the consultation amounted to just 0.3% of the electorate, which she described as a “pitifully small” sample.

She said advice from the Consultation Institute it had employed to help run the consultation that the consultation had been good was “a case of a private company marking its own homework”.

Mrs Seex told the meeting: 

“The exercise that you have undertaken is better described as marketing.

“The information to the public was purely promotional and omitted important contextual information about the scheme, such as the only directly elected position would be the mayor, that York city would have three times the representation of North Yorkshire with two members for 200,000-plus people and North Yorkshire having two members for 600,000-plus people.”

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She said the powers of elected councillors on the York and North York authorities would be “sucked up” by the mayoral combined authority, rather than being devolved down.

Mrs Seex said the combined authority was set to be allowed to call in planning applications and make decisions against local views, while the funding attached to the deal was £200 million less than the two councils had asked for, and that government funding could not be relied on and could be subject to reviews.

She said: 

“The funding amounts to £222 per person per year while council spending across the North has been reduced by £431 per person per year.”

She added most of the powers being trumpeted as being given to the combined authority were already in the hands of the councils.

Mrs Seex said the consultation results provided no breakdown of how York and North Yorkshire residents had responded and that it was crucial that elected community representatives across the county were aware of how their residents had responded to the exercise.

James Farrar, of the York and North Yorkshire LEP.

James Farrar, chief officer of North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, which helped run the consultation, said the structure and content of the consultation had been shared with government officials before being launched and that details of the full devolution deal had been shared with the public.

He said: 

“This was not a consultation on the relative merits of devolution. We were consulting on the scheme. 

“The scheme sets out how the devolution deal will be implemented, it was therefore important we focus on the key elements in the scheme.”

Mr Farrar added the Consultation Institute had been employed due its experience in helping authorities examine support for devolution deals.

He said the ultimate decision over whether the authorities had met legal requirements lay with the councils and it would be for the government to assess the suitability of the consultation.

Cllr Carl Les, leader of the council, said the executive would forego its power to send the results of the consultation to the government for consideration, and instead invite all the authority’s elected members to voice their views at a meeting later this month.

He said he was delighted the authority had reached a position where it could progress towards achieving beneficial devolution deals, such as the one in neighbouring Teesside, and a point where North Yorkshire and York would have a more powerful voice.

A tree has been planted at a care home in Starbeck as a living memorial to those who suffered or lost their lives to covid.

The tree, which is one of eight making up a new North Yorkshire tree trail, was planted on Monday at county council-run care home, Station View, by Councillor Michael Harrison, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for health and adult services.

The tree in Starbeck was the fourth of eight being planted by the council as part of its tree trail.

It follows planting ceremonies at County Hall in Northallerton, the Meadowfields Extra Care housing scheme in Thirsk, and the Fernbank Court Extra Care scheme in Selby.

Further ceremonies will be held at the county council’s Aireville Nurseries in Skipton, Sycamore Hall in Bainbridge, as well as Scarborough’s Cedear Court Extra Care complex and Deansfield Court Extra Care in Norton, Malton.

Cllr Harrison said:

“The covid-19 pandemic had tragic consequences for many people in North Yorkshire and it is important that we remember that loss, while also recognising the efforts of many people who worked to keep people safe.

“This tree trail will provide a permanent living memorial where local residents will be able to reflect on their experiences, if they so wish, and also to act as reminder of the way our communities pulled together to help each other.”

According to the latest data from the government, more than 1,700 people have lost their lives linked to the covid pandemic in North Yorkshire.

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The Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis, will be held on March 9 at the Pavilions of Harrogate. The event will celebrate success and business excellence across the Harrogate district. It’s a night not to be missed! There’ll be a fabulous prize draw for all attending and Richard Flinton, the incoming Chief Executive of North Yorkshire Council, is guest speaker. You can purchase tickets here.

Raworths solicitors in Harrogate has announced the promotion of Adam Colville-Robins to an associate in the Dispute Resolution team.

The new role will see Adam continue his work for commercial and private clients on cases involving property or contractual disputes, as well as debt recovery.

Adam’s appointment is the latest in a series of senior promotions over the past year overseen by managing partner, Simon Morris.

Mr Morris said:

“We are committed to nurturing talent across the firm at every level, from working with our trainee solicitors to complete their qualifications to supporting senior team members develop specialist knowledge in their chosen fields.

“In addition to providing legal training and support to its staff, Raworth’s has also trained three of its employees to become ‘mental health first aiders.”

Deborah Boylan, Raworths’ people partner, said:

“It’s a challenging recruitment market and candidates are now looking beyond salaries and client portfolios; it’s also about workplace culture and a supportive environment.”

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Bettys supports Brain Tumour Charity

The Bettys Bakery and Cookery School is raising money for Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity (YBTC), which marks 20 years of supporting patients and carers in March.

The decision to support the charity comes after Bettys employee, Dave Smith, was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma.

Dave and colleague on walking challenge to raise money

Dave’s colleagues at the cookery school have raised more than £7,000 for YBTC since November, with a target to raise £20,000 by the end of the year.

The £20,000 goal commemorates both the charity’s 20th birthday and the 20 years Dave has worked for Betty’s.

During Brain Tumour Awareness Month, which coincides with the charity’s birthday in March, YBTC will encourage supporters to wear flat caps and meet for a pint or a cuppa as part of their Flat Cap Brew campaign.

Bettys will be hosting their own Flat Cap Brew in the bakery, and running a ‘wear your best hat’ photo competition.

Marie Peacock, CEO of YBTC said:

“We want everyone to get together for a Flat Cap Brew that is bigger, better and more ‘Yorkshire’ than ever to help us celebrate 20 years of funding research and support for patients and families.”

Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee approved two of three major applications in Harrogate this afternoon.

The 12-person committee gave the go-ahead to Tesco for its proposed supermarket on the former gasworks site next to the New Park roundabout.

It also granted permission for Persimmon Homes to build 162 homes off Kingsley Drive.

But it deferred a decision on whether to allow developers to build 53 homes off Knox Lane in Bilton.

Today’s meeting at Harrogate Civic Centre attracted protestors and an outburst that caused the meeting to be briefly adjourned.

Here is what happened.

4.50pm A significant day for Harrogate

The decisions made today will have a significant impact on Harrogate.

There will be 162 new homes off Kingsley Road, which has already seen extensive development in recent years.

Tesco will – could? – finally build its first Harrogate district superstore after first getting planning permission more than a decade ago.

And Knox Lane could still have dozens of new homes, depending on the outcome of two reports requested by the planning committee.

Those reports, and the final decision, are likely to come to the new North Yorkshire Council after it takes effect on April 1, rather than the current HBC planning committee.

It has been a lively meeting today, with calls out from the public gallery and repeated requests from the planning committee chairman for people to keep their cool, despite the obvious strength of feeling on all three proposals.

That’s the end of our live blog from the planning meeting. Thanks for following.

4.44pm Knox Lane decision deferred

Planning committee members vote unanimously to defer a decision over the plans for Knox Lane.

They will request new reports and information about ground contamination and overhead power lines.

4.41pm More reports needed

The council’s legal advisor says there seems to be a lack of confidence in the reports about land contamination and power lines.

He suggests a request could be made to do more sampling of the ground around the former railway to give more comprehensive results.

Cllr Windass is happy with that proposal, saying:

“I am concerned they have not tested in that area for fear of what they may find.”

Cllr Burnett proposes deferring the decision again for the reports they want.

4.36pm Will the plans be deferred – or rejected?

The planning committee is being advised that it can turn down housing applications for sites in the local plan if there are material concerns about the proposals.

Otherwise, a developer can take the decision to appeal because there are no planning grounds for the refusal.

Cllr Burnett calls for a debate over a proposal to reject the plans on the basis of a material consideration.

Cllr Robert Windass says he is concerned about the contamination on site from the former railway. He calls for a full, independent survey of the entire site.

“I will not vote for this scheme until I know that that land is safe.”

Cllr Marsh refers to information about links between power cables and childhood leukaemia, asking HBC officers to look into that issue.

Cllr Burnett says to defer the plans for further information, the committee needs to be specific about the information it wants. Alternatively, to reject the plans, strong reasons need to be given.

She says a survey of contamination has been carried out, but Cllr Windass says it is paid for by the developer and he wants the council to request an independent survey.

A council officer says the council does not usually bear the expense of a survey, but the reports provided by the developer are assessed by the council’s experts.

Cllr Paraskos says he is not satisfied with the response on the cumulative effect on the roads of two developments close to each other. He’s told it was considered as part of the local plan, before the sites were allocated.

Trying to bring the discussion to a conclusion, Cllr Burnett asks if the proposal is to defer the application for more information about the impact of power lines and the potential site contamination.

4.28pm Knox Lane houses rejected

Councillors have voted by seven votes to two against the plans, with one abstention.

There are cheers from the public gallery.

4.26pm Councillors begin to debate

Committee chairman Cllr Rebecca Burnett moves to support the officer recommendation to defer the application for planning officers to approve, and is seconded by Cllr John Mann.

However, to applause from the public gallery, Cllr Nigel Simms says:

“I’m sorry to disappoint, but I didn’t agree with this site last time and I haven’t heard anything or read anything to change my mind.”

He’s backed by Cllr Marsh, who says the site – right at the end of a narrow lane – should never be described as “sustainable”. She asks whether anyone who voted for its inclusion in the local plan ever visited the site.

4.23pm Contamination, buses and power lines

A council officer confirms the environmental health team is happy with the level of contamination on the site.

Cllr Pat Marsh questions why the report says the site is “served” by local transport when the nearest bus stop is 490m away, outside The Knox pub. The officer replies:

“It’s served, but it’s beyond the optimum distance.”

The committee hears Northern Powergrid has no objections to the plans relating to the electricity cables across the site.

Cllr Andrew Paraskos asks whether the four reports paid for by the objectors were considered. He’s told they were forwarded to the consultees.

Cllr Marsh asks why Harrogate Grammar School and Rossett School are identified as target schools for children living in the area, when they are some distance away.

The officer responds that NYCC’s education officer has advised that HGS, Rossett and Harrogate High School are where the contribution from the developer should be sent.

4.14pm Questions over biodiversity

Council officers are now being asked about the situation with badgers.

There’s a long description of badgers’ habits and what that might mean for this site.

A council officer says the planned scrub woodland would be a good thing for local people, linking up with other natural space around the area.

4.09pm Developer’s agent addresses meeting

The agent for the developer is given the chance to speak.

He says the developer, Jomast, has worked closely with HBC officers to address concerns raised by the planning committee at the last hearing.

He addresses concerns over local badgers, power lines, and the size and number of houses, and says each has been addressed until HBC officers are happy with the plans.

“We politely ask you to endorse you officer’s recommendation and grant planning permission.”

Cllr Robert Windass queries where contamination samples were taken from and is told they were taken across the whole site, including close to the former railway embankment.

Cllr Andrew Paraskos asks about traffic management and whether two housing sites in the area have been included in the survey. He is told no, because it is not normal practice to do so, but the council must have assessed the area at the time the sites were allocated for housing.

“Can we talk badgers, please?”

The question comes from Cllr Victoria Oldham, who says “nobody wants their garden digging up by badgers” but she feels, as a protected species, they are having their environment changed and expected to move on during construction and then a newly-created scrub woodland provided for them after.

She asks whether the developer will work with local people to ensure badgers will be protected, and is told yes, as they are a protected species.

3.59pm Residents object

Local resident Stephen Redman says there is contamination on the site from when it was an active railway.

He says the impact of digging out the site would be significant in the area:

“How can 2.5m be removed without disturbing badges, trees or existing properties?”

Adele Laurie Wilson is now raising objections. She says the site is in a special landscape area and was recently refused permission to be turned into a garden because of its impact on this status.

Trees, many of which are under tree preservation orders, would have to be pruned and could be damaged by the process of construction. She says residents are “deeply concerned” about the impact on their homes.

3.53pm Local councillor speaks out

Cllr Paul Haslam tells the committee that 320 people have objected to the plans and residents have got together to have reports drawn up about the site.

Affordable housing is set at more than 50% and Cllr Haslam raises questions about the reasons for this.

The nearest bus stop is 490m away and other nearby sites will impact on this too.

He claims the biodiversity reports have been “a fudge” and he argues there would be the potential for flooding further down Knox Lane.

3.48pm Knox Lane plans

The meeting resumes and the Knox Lane plans are next on the agenda.

A planning officer explains changes have been made to the proposal since it came to the committee in the autumn. The house sizes have been amended and the total number reduced to allow more space between each building.

Knox Lane will be widened at the access point into the site.

There is an electricity pylon nearby with lines crossing the site.

Additional letters of objection have been sent to the council since the plans were last discussed. They include concerns about building too close to large trees, safety of children around electricity pylons, and the impact on local wildlife.

3.41pm Reaction to Kingsley plans

Our reporter Calvin Robinson has been speaking to some of the Kingsley ward residents who were at the meeting to object to the plans for 162 homes nearby.

After the plans were approved, Catherine Maguire, a local resident, said:

“They have blood on their hands. Someone is going to get killed with traffic and congestion. The construction traffic is going to turn into parked cars in the long term.”

Chris Watt, who spoke on behalf of Kingsley residents, said after the meeting:

“We are extremely disappointed that councillors chose not to listen to local residents. There was clearly no consideration of the traffic and parking in our area.

“We are grateful for the residents who objected to this proposal.”

Mike Gibbs, who also lives in the Kingsley area, said the plan will affect the “entire region” due to the additional traffic and congestion affecting ambulances to the hospital.

3.38pm Tesco plans approved

Councillors vote by six to four in favour of deferring the plans to officers for approval – in effect, granting planning permission to Tesco.

There is a cry of “absolutely disgusting” from the public gallery.

The meeting is adjourned again.

3.36pm Debate over plans

A motion is put forward to defer the plans to council officers to approve, subject to conditions.

Cllr Pat Marsh begins the debate by opposing the plans.

“This is not the best site for this supermarket at all. If you were on that road today all you heard was a constant movement of traffic.

“You put a roundabout in there and it backs up to the one at Skipton and Ripon Road…

“The impact this is going to have on the people on Electric Avenue is huge.”

She says the site is much more suitable for a park-and-ride site to help people get the bus into town, reducing congestion. She opposes the loss of mature trees as well as the arrival of additional traffic.

She says the impact on the Co-op and other facilities would be bad for the local population.

“If you empty that centre there, you empty the heart of Jennyfields.”

Cllr Watson agrees on the traffic concerns, saying it will also impact on the health of local residents. He is also worried about the gas pipe and petrol station in close proximity.

“One of these days, there’s going to be ‘boom!’.”

Cllr Philip Broadbank is also concerned about the loss of a Post Office for a population of around 10,000.

Cllr John Mann, however, supports the application because of the location of other supermarkets across the town. He says he can’t think of any major supermarkets in the north of town – though he is reminded Aldi is just over the road from the proposed Tesco site.

Undeterred, Cllr Mann says the area’s councillor, Cllr Webber, supports the plans. Experts have looked at the highways and other concerns, he says, and councillors should rely on their expertise.

3.27pm Questions over biodiversity replacements

Cllr Burnett begins the questions to officers by returning to the topic of providing trees closer than 10 miles away.

An ecology officer responds that current policies are stronger than when the original Tesco application was granted. They allow HBC to ask for compensation for the loss of brownfield land.

However, the council does not operate “habitat banks” – it is up to the developer to find them, and the council to decide if they are acceptable.

“It isn’t about individual plants or animals. It’s about trying to reverse the overall decline of biodiversity since probably the Second World War.”

He agrees it would be better to have it closer, but HBC cannot dictate that.

Cllr Martin asks whether a condition could be imposed to require it to be closer than 10 miles away. However, a council officer says it would be difficult because of land availability issues.

The site being considered is near Stainburn, just outside Beckwithshaw, and is provided by a company called the Environment Bank under agreement with landowners.

Cllr Martin says he disagrees:

“Where the pain has been given through the application there should be some recompense there as well.”

3.19pm Safety concerns

Cllr Waton raises concerns about the high-pressure gas pipe across the site and the petrol station planned.

Mr Robeson said the “anoraks” of Northern Gas Networks have spent many months looking at the plans to ensure they were safe.

Detailed risk assessments will be carried out to ensure the site is safe.

3.17pm Questions for Tesco

Councillors put questions to the Tesco representatives.

Martin Robeson says the medical centre, barber and take-aways suggest the Jennyfield local centre is not reliant on the Co-op for its viability.

“It is a community hub more than it is a retail hub.”

Andy Boucher says Tesco would not commit to include a Post Office in a local shop if the Co-op closed because it could be some years in the future and the future viability of the Post Office is not yet known.

Cllr Tom Watson says no amount of planning will ensure lorries always arrive at an agreed time, and raises concerns about access and deliveries to the site.

Tesco’s representatives say there have been experts brought in by Tesco to think carefully and ensure the plans tick all the technical boxes. Delivery noise would be no different to that in the previously approved plans.

Mr Robeson responds:

“What we have done is increase the amount of acoustic screening on that boundary beyond what we originally thought was necessary. That bodes well for the protection of residents.

“You get it wrong in Harrogate and that failure will be reported in Bromsgrove, Newcastle, all around the world because you got it wrong.”

Cllr Victoria Oldham asks how residents have been consulted.

The Tesco representatives say it took place during lockdown and was well advertised and attended. He says there have been many discussions with the council too, to ensure its specialists on light, noise and other issues are given the chance to have a say on the plans.

Cllr Stuart Martin says some trees will be lost off site with replacements planted 10 miles away, and questions whether they could not be closer.

Mr Robeson says the important thing is to replace the benefit brought by the trees. There is “a lot of replacement tree planting” but to ensure no overall loss of biodiversity, an off-set will be made with improvements elsewhere.

Mr Boucher says 43 trees will be lost off site and all 43 will be replaced.

Cllr Martin repeats his question about the distance, to applause from the public gallery.

Mr Robeson says the detail has not been agreed and it will be a matter of condition.

“If we can provide it so it’s more beneficial to the people of Harrogate, that would be a benefit. I agree with you.”

3.04pm Tesco backs its plans

Andy Boucher from Tesco says the company has long wanted to open a large store in Harrogate.

He says officers have analysed the application in detail and it is “robust”. He says there is a business case for opening a small shop in Jennyfields regardless whether the superstore opens.

Martin Robeson, also from Tesco, says the only area of minor disagreement is over the impact on the Jennyfield local centre.

He says there is a robust agreement to ensure a shop remains open there, whether Co-op or Tesco.

“The number of deliveries that come into Tesco are managed, so we are not talking about dozens of deliveries every day – merely a small handful of them.”

There is a shout of objection from the public gallery which leads Cllr Burnett to remind people not to call out during proceedings.

2.59pm Councillors give their views

Cllr Matthew Webber, who has been called away on business, has sent a statement to say he has known the site for many years as a councillor and living a few hundred yards away.

He says the plans would reduce journeys across town to other supermarkets.

“A facility like this is long-needed.”

Monika Slater and Hannah Walker speak against the plans

Ms Walker represents the Co-op and says everyone agrees the Co-op would have reduced footfall if Tesco opened, impacting on the other local businesses.

The legal agreement for Tesco to open a new store if the Co-op closed “would not work”, she says.

Monika Slater says the new supermarket would bring increased congestion on Skipton Road, more HGVs and disruption for nearby residents.

“Lorry drivers may be able to look into the upstairs windows of the residents on Electric Avenue.”

Although the site is brown field, having been developed previously, Ms Slater says the area has become home to wildlife while it has been unused over the last decade.

There are no questions from planning committee members.

2.52pm Meeting resumes

Cllr Burnett reminds people to remain quiet during the meeting.

She moves on to the Tesco plans.

A planning officer from HBC briefly outlines the proposal, including a new roundabout on Skipton road, and says the application is for a store of about half the space of the one that was previously given planning permission.

She says the store will have a lower ceiling than surrounding houses and will have landscaping along its boundaries.

The existing high-pressure gas pipe across the site does not seem to have caused concerns for Northern Gas Networks, which has not objected.

The council has looked at the impact of the larger store on the local retail centre on Jenny Field Drive, including the Co-op.

“It’s the impact upon the local centre that’s important and not the impact on any specific retailer.”

Tesco would have to open a small shop there if the Co-op closed within five years of Tesco opening.

The proposal is recommended for approval, subject to conditions.

2.45pm Vote – plans approved and a scuffle breaks out

The committee votes by nine votes to two to defer the plans to officers, allowing them to approve them subject to planning conditions.

There’s an outburst from the public gallery. One woman says councillors will have “blood on your hands”. She refers to her disabled child who she says is being put at risk by the proposal.

There are sounds of a scuffle. Committee chairman Rebecca Burnett adjourns the meeting for a five-minute break.

2.43pm Amendment proposed

Cllr Pat Marsh calls to defer the decision while an independent traffic management plan for the whole Kingsley Area .

A council officer says he is uncomfortable with the idea of an area-wide assessment, because he does not think a developer can be asked for that beyond their own development.

2.39pm Debate under way

Cllr Nigel Simms moves to vote in support of the officer recommendation to approve the plans.

He says the solar panels and other measures are more than the committee ever asked for and should have been included in other sites.

Cllr Marsh speaks against the plans because of the impact on traffic and existing local residents, as well as education, NHS and more.

“I don’t think it’s right.”

She expresses frustration that more of the planning committee did not go on the site visit this morning, which she said demonstrated just how busy the area is already.

She said there has never been good road structure in the area and it should never have been included in the local plan.

Cllr Broadbank also says he will oppose the plans until there is proper traffic assessment.

“We’ve got an opportunity as we’ve exceeded the targets already to turn this one down.”

Cllr Tom Watson agrees the parking along the roads nearby witnesses this morning was already too much.

Cllr John Mann says while he understands the concerns over traffic and the concentration of development, the site is allocated in the local plan.

“To ignore both the local plan and our planning policies is not as a good planning committee should do. So regrettably I will be voting for this.

“I hear what colleagues say, I hear what the public has said, but it is a local plan which was voted for by Lib Dem colleagues in front of me in 2019.”

Cllr Burnett thanks the planning officers who have worked with the developer to get an improved scheme for the site put forward, meeting HBC’s planning policies.

2.32pm Questions over sustainability

The planning committee members have begun asking questions of HBC planning officers.

Cllr Pat Marsh says there are 700 homes in that area, all relying on the local GP practice.

“I don’t know how these people are going to get a doctor’s appointment.”

She questions why a new surgery was not included in the local plan.

A planning officer says the developer pays towards the NHS to provide local services, even if not on site.

In response to a question from Cllr Victoria Oldham, the planning officer says the development is “sustainable”.

She also says there are contributions to local schools, including Grove Road. Cllr Marsh says:

“You think Grove Road is going to take all the development from this area?”

The officer says it’s for the local education provider to deal with that, not planning officers.

2.28pm Agent says the plans are ‘right’

Agent Paul Butler speaks on behalf of the developer.

“We know we got it wrong with the first scheme. We’ve taken the last 18 months to ensure this time we’ve got it right.”

He describes the green areas, lower density of housing, and open spaces through the site.

Electric charging points, air source heat pumps and solar panels have all been included.

A cycle path will enable pupils to get to school safely.

“Can I please urge you all to judge this scheme on its own merits.”

Questioned on bus services, Mr Butler says the developer has spoken to North Yorkshire County Council and that there are bus stops within 400m of the site.

He confirms there has been no discussion with a local bus company about local services.

2.22pm Local residents object

Mr Barnes and Mr Watt speak on behalf of local residents who oppose the development.

They say they support the proposal of a deferral so an independent traffic assessment can be carried out.

Mr Watt says the plans take the number of houses “well over” the requirements for the area.

They say other developments are having an impact in the area that should be considered as part of the plans.

2.18pm Ward councillor speaks

Cllr Chris Aldred speaks as the local ward councillor:

“Every one of my residents in this ward is probably goingto be affected by this application today. That’s over 1,000 houses and over 3,000 people.”

He says the impact isn’t just when the houses are complete, but during the construction process. He says despite a lot of house-building in the area in recent years, there has been no increase in public amenity space or facilities.

“Kingsley has no churches, no large schools, no shops, no healthcare provision, no public park.”

He says he would like to see the developer consulting local residents about installing a “top quality” children’s park with an adventure playground that could be used by people from around the area, not just the nearest residents.

“We owe it to the residents.”

He calls for the decision to be deferred until more accurate figures for traffic can be produced – he says those quoted in the report “do not add up”.

Cllr Aldred says the whole of the Kingsley Ward needs assessing in terms of traffic and parking, with many cars being parked in the area by staff and patients at Harrogate District Hospital.

The closure of Bogs Lane is also discussed. Cllr Aldred says it could reduce rat-running in the area, but it could also force all cars from the new development out onto Knaresborough Road in the same area.

“You don’t have to pass this today. There is no need. We’re 260% ahead of the government target for housing. Let’s have a look at the traffic on all those roads.

“We haven’t looked at the entire scheme and how it’s all going to be interlinked. We need an independent scheme that highways will agree and that actually adds up.”

2.07pm Kingsley Road application

The committee hears an outline of the application, which is for a field included in the local plan.

A previous application for more than 200 homes was rejected on the grounds of over-crowding.

The current application for 162 homes includes a children’s play area and some grassed areas to the north.

Existing trees around the boundaries under tree protection orders will be retained.

The plans are for a mixture of homes of between one and four bedrooms. Some houses have garages or driveways, and there is space for on-street parking.

There would be a mix of renewable and traditional heating in the homes if they are given permission.

2.02pm Here we go…

Cllr Rebecca Burnett begins the meeting by saying there are a number of lengthy debates ahead.

She goes through some formalities about procedure, including asking people not to heckle from the public gallery.

Cllr Hannah Gostlow has sent a substitute, Cllr Philip Broadbank, to today’s meeting as she cannot attend. Cllr Sue Lumby has sent her apologies.

Other than that, the committee is complete.

1.59pm Ready to go

Councillors on the planning committee have taken their seats, as have representatives of the various applicants, and members of the public given a slot to speak.

We’re just waiting for committee chairman Cllr Rebecca Burnett to begin proceedings. The Kingsley Drive application is due to be discussed first.

1.55pm Public gallery filling up

The public viewing gallery is rather busier than usual for a planning committee meeting.

Kingsley Ward Action Group is by far the biggest organised group here, but there are a few others taking their seats too.

The meeting takes place in the council chamber, adjacent to the public gallery.

Just give minutes to go until it’s set to get under way.

1.48pm Kingsley residents oppose new plans

Residents in the Kingsley Road area say they have had enough of large-scale housing developments on their doorsteps.

Around 600 homes are already under construction or completed in the area after previous planning applications were given permission.

Today’s application is from Persimmon Homes and is for 162 homes in a field along Kingsley Drive.

Starbeck resident Chris Watt is set to speak at the meeting on behalf of the Kingsley Ward Action Group.

1.44pm Long-running Tesco plans

The decision over whether to grant Tesco planning permission for its supermarket at the junction of Ripon Road and Skipton Road is just the latest in a saga dating back more than a decade.

The supermarket giant was giving planning permission for a store at the site in 2012 after many years of debate.

At the time, Harrogate was the only postcode area in mainland UK without a Tesco superstore.

However, the company later announced it had shelved the plans as part of a wider national strategy. The former gasworks site remained empty.

The current proposal was put forward in late 2021.

1.36pm Protestors outside meeting

Residents from the Kingsley Road area are already outside the civic centre ready for the planning meeting to begin.

They may not all be able to speak during the meeting, but they want to ensure their views are heard by the councillors who will decide whether another 162 homes can be built in the area.

Read more:

• Decision today on Harrogate Tesco and two major housing schemes
• Kingsley anger reaches ‘boiling point’ as another 162 homes set for approval