Harrogate property developer considers Station Gateway legal action

A Harrogate property developer is considering legal action over the town’s £10.9 million Station Gateway project.

Chris Bentley, who owns Hornbeam Park Developments, has concerns about the legality of North Yorkshire County Council’s consultation process.

In a letter from his lawyers, Mr Bentley threatened to take the local authority to a judicial review.

The letter, which was sent to the county council, Harrogate Borough Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which all support the scheme, said that the second consultation “failed to include sufficient reasons for and information upon particular proposals to allow those consulted to give intelligent consideration and an intelligent response”.

In response, the council said that it did not accept that the second consultation was unlawful.

It argued that the council proposed to undertake further consultation on the Harrogate scheme.

In response, it said:

“A further consultation can address your client’s concerns, but also provide a pragmatic resolution and avoid the costs of formal litigation.”

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Mr Bentley told the Stray Ferret that he felt the council had come up with “utopian ideas” and that the plan should be shelved.

He said:

“They just keep throwing the dice until they get the right answer. I think it should be shelved.

“There is so much other stuff that the town needs.”

He added that he would still pursue a judicial review because he felt the council’s decision making process is “flawed”.

Last month, the Stray Ferret asked the county council if there had been a legal challenge against the scheme.

Karl Battersby, Corporate director of business and environmental services at the council, said there had been “no formal legal challenge in response to issues raised regarding the consultation last autumn”.

The gateway scheme is set to undergo a third round of consultation this year.

In a report, county council officers said the consultation will be held alongside the publication of traffic orders required for the scheme.

It said:

“A further consultation will commence in July alongside the publication of the draft Traffic Regulation Orders required to implement the changed highway layout. Construction is targeted for an early 2023 start.”

The gateway project includes proposals such as the pedestrianisation of part of James Street and the reduction of a section of Station Parade to single lane traffic to encourage walking and cycling.

How Truth Legal is offering legal comfort to Harrogate’s Polish community

This story is sponsored by Truth Legal.

Whether it is for employment or family support, Truth Legal offers a range of support for Polish people in the Harrogate district.

Based and founded in Harrogate in 2012, the firm has been helping people with legal advice for more than 10 years and has prided itself on a “honest and ethical” ethos.

In that time, it has expanded by opening a branch in Leeds and, as a result, its client base.

But one of its unique services is how it focuses on communities which are hard to reach – one being Polish speaking clients.

In an effort to tackle this, it decided to employ Polish-speaking staff to help bridge the gap for Polish nationals and offer support to those who need to navigate UK law.

So Truth Legal hired two experienced legal professionals in family and employment law, Katarzyna Zatorski and Mirek Ksiezarek. For other types of law Truth Legal can put you in touch with an interpreter.

But it didn’t stop there. The company also set up a Polish website aimed at offering support for those who may need help navigating the UK law.

When asked why Polish nationals should choose Truth Legal for legal advice, Mirek said:

“We are a local, moral legal firm that understand the difficulties the Polish communities may face when having to navigate the English legal system and want to offer the best support available in the clients own language.”

The site and experience of having Polish legal staff also allows Truth Legal to offer cultural understanding, emotional support and clarity for clients.

Mirek added:

“We know it is important when you are facing a legal dilemma to talk through them in your own language. We are here to provide some comfort in a turbulent time.”

If you are a Polish national who needs legal support with personal injury, employment, family law or immigration claims, visit the Truth Legal Polish website. Alternatively, call Truth Legal on 01423 788538 or email enquiries@truthlegal.com.

Harrogate and Knaresborough trains to Leeds to be reinstated in December

Early morning trains from Harrogate and Knaresborough to Leeds are to be reinstated in December.

Rail operator Northern has confirmed to the Harrogate Line Supporters Group that the company will revert to its December 2021 timetable.

It means the 6.07am and 6.33am services will return, and hourly rather than two-hourly trains will operate in the evening.

Northern reduced services in May, blaming lack of resources and the need to recruit and train more drivers.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones was among those criticising the move.

Pete Myers, stakeholder manager at Northern, has written to the Harrogate Line Supporters Group saying Network Rail has approved its plans to revert to the December 2021 timetable.

Brian Dunsby, of the Harrogate Line Supporters Group, welcomed the news, saying:

“This is what we have wanted all along. They cancelled services without consulting with us or anybody and got quite a backlash for it.”

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Which services are affected?

Mr Dunsby detailed what the changes will mean to commuters.

“This means that the 6.07 and 6.33 services to Leeds will be reinstated calling at all stations and due into Leeds at 06:44 and 07:10 respectively.

“These are very important for business and leisure travellers to London and other destinations from Leeds.

“They also hope to reinstate the 08:05 service from Harrogate to Leeds due into Leeds at 08.41.

“They also hope to reinstate the 16:29 service from Leeds via Harrogate to York, departing Harrogate at 17:05 and due into York at 17:42.

“Also reinstated should be the 18:13 service from York to Leeds via Harrogate departing Harrogate at 18:47 and due into Leeds at 19:23.

“Also reinstated should be the 19:29 service from Leeds to York, departing Harrogate at 20:05 and due into York at 20:44.

“Also reinstated should be the 21:10 service from York to Leeds, departing Harrogate at 21:44 and due into Leeds at 22:21.

“Also reinstated should be the 22:39 service from Leeds to Harrogate and due into Harrogate at 23:16.

“These services should all certainly be reinstated from December 11, 2022 and possibly from September 2022 if their driver training schedule continues as planned.

“This is very good news for Harrogate Line passengers. Many thanks to the Northern rail management team for responding to our pleas.”

 

Gang of girls admits causing actual bodily harm in Harrogate

Four teenage girls have pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm to a female in Harrogate.

The girls, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are between 14 and 17 years old.

They admitted jointly assaulting the victim on August 15 last year in Belmont Park, Starbeck.

Three of the girls are from Harrogate; another is from Blackpool.

They pleaded guilty when the cases were heard at North Yorkshire Youth Court, sitting in Harrogate, on Friday.

The girls were ordered to £200 compensation each and referred to youth offender panels for 12 months.

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Harrogate residents set to be asked if they want a town council

Senior county councillors are set to launch a review into whether to set up a town council in Harrogate.

Harrogate Borough Council will no longer exist from April 1 when the new unitary authority, North Yorkshire Council, is created.

It will leave both Harrogate and Scarborough as the only areas of the county with no parish authority.

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive will be recommended next week to start a community governance review, which will consult on creating a lower tier authority.

Conservative leader of the council, Cllr Carl Les, has pledged to offer more powers to parish councils when the new North Yorkshire Council comes into force as part of a ‘double devolution’ policy.

Cllr Les said:

“Parish and town councils will play a key role in representing the views and promoting the needs of communities, so it is vital we look at offering people in Harrogate and Scarborough the opportunity to give their views on whether they want town or parish councils and, if so, what these might look like.

“At this stage, no proposals would be put forward. Residents would be invited to give their views on the formation of town councils and the reasons behind them. Depending on the response, there would be a further consultation in which people would be asked to comment on detailed proposals.”

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The review will include a consultation with residents in Harrogate to ask their views on creating a town council.

Senior county councillors will be recommended to approve the review at a meeting of the council’s executive on July 19.

What is a town council?

Town and parish councils run services such as community centres and play areas, as well as maintaining bus shelters. Councillors are elected to serve on them but they are not paid.

The councils can also charge a precept as part of council tax bills to fund the services provided, meaning there is a cost to the people they serve.

In the Harrogate district, there are town councils in areas such as Ripon, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge and Kirby Hill.

Because Harrogate does not currently have a lower tier council, it also raises questions over what its boundaries would be.

Harrogate Organics expands to larger store in the centre of town

The Harrogate Organics Company has moved from Station Square to a larger premises on Market Place, the former home of the Bobbi Brown Studio.

The company which makes a range of aromatherapy, nutrition, skincare and CBD products launched in July 2020.

In a statement today it said it’s turnover by the end of the year will hit £1million and has seen an increase of over 850% in online sales over the past twelve months.

The new retail store will have a wellness lifestyle bar and treatment room and will open on Saturday 16 July.

Co-founder Dan Simpson said:

“We’re absolutely delighted with the progress we’re making but that has only been made possible by the support we are getting from our amazing customers.  We exist to serve them – to help them live the healthy and happy lives they deserve.

“Our growth means more people are getting access to products that can help aid wellbeing and help with some challenges they may be facing. That, coupled with the incredible feedback and reviews we receive, makes this whole journey we are on incredibly rewarding.”

The company has developed different products that work together to aid wellbeing and help with sleep issues, stress, anxiety and the menopause.

Its bestselling product is the Natural Repair Magnesium Spray, which promotes restful sleep, reduces stress and anxiety and lessens muscle pain and cramps.

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Harrogate MP elected to 1922 committee executive

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has been elected to the Conservative Party’s 1922 committee executive.

Mr Jones joins the 12 member executive, which announced its election results last night.

Sir Graham Brady remains chairman of the committee.

The committee is made up of backbench Conservative MPs and represents the views of the parliamentary party.

It is also influential in electing leaders of the party, including setting the rules for leadership contests.

The move to elect the executive comes as the party is in the middle of choosing a new leader after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced he would step down in the autumn.

Eleven MPs, including former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, current Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, have so far announced they will stand for party leader.

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Mr Jones’ election to the executive comes as he has been openly critical of Mr Johnson in the last few months.

Ahead of the Mr Johnson’s resignation, he said he felt “we have come to the end of the road with this Prime Minister”.

He also voted against him in a confidence vote.

However, Mr Jones has yet to publicly announce his support for a candidate in the leadership election.

Firefighter photos reveal extent of Harrogate district field fire

Photos released by Harrogate firefighters have revealed the extent of yesterday’s field fire near Ripon.

The blaze, which occurred just after 4pm at Hutton Bank, Sharow, was one of two crop fires in the district as the heatwave hits.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log says:

“Ripon and Harrogate crews attended reports of a field of standing crops on fire.

“They requested a further four appliances due to the 300m fire front. Crews worked with the farmer to extinguish the fire. Incident has been scaled down now.”

Sharow field fire

Sharow field fire

Minutes later crews from York, Northallerton and Colburn attended a large field fire measuring approx 100 metres at Dishforth.

They used pitchforks and beaters and a hose reel to extinguish the flames.

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New therapy and coaching centre opens in Harrogate

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal.

A new therapy and coaching centre has opened in Harrogate.

The Harlow, which is based at Cardale Park, aims to help businesses, individuals and families through tough times with a team of therapists and coaches.

The centre was set up by Gordon Bethell, who is chairman of Leeds-based marketing agency CreativeRace.

Mr Bethell said he set up the centre after becoming interested in psychology during his career in marketing.

He said:

“For many years I kept my own personal journey discreet as I didn’t want clients and colleagues to know I needed support.

“My whole experience gave me profound insight about my past and how it informed my behaviours. I recognised that therapy can be daunting and confusing for many and there is a critical need for quality triage or assessment so that clients are matched with the best approach.”

The Harlow will be running a series of workshops over the next few months that are for both practitioners and clients.

Topics include parenting, transitioning from primary to secondary school and guiding adults through career choices. For more information, visit The Harlow website.

Harrogate town centre businesses support fundraiser

Businesses in Harrogate town centre have backed a marathon challenge aimed at raising money for children from Wharfedale, Nidderdale and beyond.

Simon Thomas, 62, who is a trustee of The Principle Trust Children’s Charity, will embark upon a mammoth 26-mile walk this Sunday (July 17).

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The walk will begin at 7am at the war memorial on Parliament Street and go around the A61 around Harrogate town centre 13 times to clock up the marathon distance.

Thirty Harrogate town centre businesses have backed the challenge including Three’s A Crowd, Bambinos, Trotters Bar and Mountain Express.

Ahead of the challenge, Mr Thomas said:

“Over the last decade the trust has helped thousands of disadvantaged, disabled and poorly children to escape their everyday troubles and create valuable, happy memories. 

“The trust’s 100% donations policy ensures every penny raised directly benefits children and their families and we are indebted to all the Harrogate businesses who are supporting this fundraising challenge.”

To donate to the fundraiser, visit Mr Thomas’ page or visit one of the participating businesses.

Horror crash in Harrogate sees pair lucky to escape alive

Two people were lucky to escape alive after a car hit a tree in Harrogate in the early hours of this morning.

The car was severely mangled by the crash, which took place on Harlow Moor Road, close to Harrogate Spring Water’s headquarters, at around midnight.

North Yorkshire Police traffic officer Sgt Paul Cording tweeted that the two people inside the Vauxhall managed to get out with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

He added:

“I am still gobsmacked that we were not doing the long walk to someone’s house last night for ‘that knock’.

“The intrusion is unbelievable and testament to the advancement in vehicle safety & another reason we bang on all the time about wearing seatbelts #Fatal5″

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