Harrogate Borough Council leader reshuffles top team

Harrogate Borough Council’s Conservative leader Richard Cooper has made changes to his top team, 10 months before the local authority is abolished.

Cllr Cooper has appointed Cllr Sam Gibbs, who represents Harrogate Valley Gardens, as cabinet member for the environment, waste reduction and recycling brief on his six-person cabinet.

Rebecca Burnett, who represents Harrogate St George’s, has been appointed chair of the planning committee, which makes decisions on major housing and development projects.

Ed Darling, who was elected in Knaresborough Castle, is the new chair of the 12-person licensing committee, which can grant or refuse alcohol and Hackney cab licences.

Sam Gibbs

Cllr Gibbs, who has represented Valley Gardens since 2018, will replace Cllr Andrew Paraskos.

Collecting household waste is one of the council’s biggest responsibilities and this year it will be trialling wheelie bins for housing recycling.

According to the Richmond Conservatives website, Cllr Gibbs is employed as the constituency agent for Chancellor and Richmond MP Rishi Sunak.

He is also a county councillor, winning the Valley Gardens & Central division in this month’s local elections.

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Rebecca Burnett

Rebecca Burnett replaces Cllr John Mann as chair of the planning committee.

Cllr Burnett has been a councillor since 2014 but will be stepping down from local politics when the council is abolished in April 2023.

She was the cabinet member for planning from 2015 until 2020, during the formation of Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which allocates over 13,000 new homes for building in the district up to 2035.

Other appointments

Ed Darling will become the new chair of the licensing committee, replacing Cllr Victoria Oldham, who will become the council’s final Mayor.

The Stray Ferret asked Cllr Gibbs, Cllr Burnett and Cllr Darling for comment but none responded.

The committee memberships will be confirmed at next week’s full council meeting. Read the full list here.

Bettys to close early for staff celebration tonight

Bettys will close its tea rooms early today as staff gather to celebrate the end of two difficult years.

The ‘Big Get Together’ will see all 1,600 staff from Bettys & Taylors invited to mark the hard work done by the company’s individuals and teams since 2020.

Today will be the first time everyone has been able to get together for what has been an annual celebration since the start of the covid pandemic.

Organiser Victoria Turner said:

“Every year we hold our internal Honours Awards which recognise the achievements and successes of our people over the 12 months.

“This year also marks the 60th anniversary of Bettys & Taylors coming together as Group, so it’s a special opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate and reconnect after the challenges of the last two years.”

The tea rooms at Harrogate, York, Northallerton and Ilkley will close at 3.30pm today, while Harlow Carr closes at 4pm, to allow staff to join the celebrations.

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Andrew Jones MP says Harrogate and Knaresborough train cuts ‘a bad mistake’

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has told Parliament that cuts to train services in the towns will damage business and make it impossible for some commuters to be at work on time.

The two early morning weekday services from Harrogate to Leeds were axed this week, meaning the earliest commuters can arrive in Leeds is 7.28am

Speaking in a Commons transport debate yesterday, Mr Jones said it was a “bad mistake” to think that the decline in passenger numbers due to covid was now at a fixed level and “service levels can be cut back accordingly”.

He added:

“We have seen some of the implications of this locally on the Leeds-Harrogate-Knaresborough-York line.

“The services that have been cut back are the early morning services to Leeds, although many people from Harrogate commute to Leeds for work.

“Some will now find it impossible to be in work on time. For other service users, it is now impossible to connect with the Leeds to London services that get into our capital before 10am.

“That is not good enough for business people, and Harrogate has significant conference business at its convention centre, with many people travelling to it from across the country.

“Other rail cuts have created long gaps in the evening services and an earlier finish on the Knaresborough service. These cuts are obviously bad for our night-time economy.”

Harrogate rail station

Mr Jones, a former transport minister, said the cuts were “not great to see” because rail services had been “making such great progress after all of the years of Labour’s no-growth northern franchise”.

He cited the six daily direct London services and better rolling stock as examples.

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Mr Jones said he’d had a “very positive meeting” with Robin Gisby, the chair of rail operator Northern, who he said “recognised the significance of the services that have been cut, and he is working on reinstatement for later this year”.

One of the key issues, he added, was training more drivers.

Praise for local buses

Mr Jones also used his speech to praise the “excellent leadership” of Don Mackenzie, who was the North Yorkshire county councillor in charge of transport until the local elections on May 5, for securing £8m from the government for a scheme with Harrogate Bus Company to bring 39 electric buses to Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Mr Jones added:

“The bottom line is that the new electric buses are very popular, and the customer response has been excellent.

“I have checked this with the bus company and with passengers. People like the ride quality and the quietness, alongside the fact that the vehicles are bright, airy and pleasant to be in. They are obviously also emission free, which is highly popular.”

Mites to be released to tackle invasive plant at Harrogate nature reserve

Mites will be released into Rossett Nature Reserve in Harrogate in a bid to tackle the growth of an invasive species of water weed.

The crassula mites attack Crassula helmsii — also known as New Zealand pygmyweed — an invasive non-native species which is causing problems for the wastewater network.

It grows on the arms of filter beds, stopping them functioning properly, and can become dominant in wetland areas which then poses a threat to the breeding habits of native species, including the protected great crested newts.

The release of the mites is a joint trial project between Yorkshire Water, Harrogate Borough Council, the Centre of Agriculture and Bioscience International and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

Dr Steph Bradbeer, invasive species and biosecurity advisor at Yorkshire Water, said:

“Invasive non-native species pose a very real risk to Yorkshire’s environment and wildlife. They can also impact on our ability to treat and distribute water to homes and return wastewater safely to the environment.

“Crassula is one such species and we hope this trial will provide an environmentally friendly way of tackling it in the environment and at our wastewater treatment works.”

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The mites have been quarantined and tested extensively to ensure they will only tackle Crassula helmsii and will not attack other species of Crassula, such as stonecrops, which are attractive plants that brighten up stone surfaces in the summer.

The announcement of the trial coincides with Invasive Non-native Species Week, which began on Monday and aims to raise awareness of and prevent the spread of invasive plants.

Invasive non-native species not only impact on the environment, but also have a large economic impact, costing the UK economy an estimated £1.8 billion per year.

Councillor Andy Paraskos, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:

“This is a new approach for us in the Harrogate district and we welcome this opportunity to work with Yorkshire Water and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust – and of course the Crassula mites – to use a practical solution to help tackle this non-native weed at Rossett Nature Reserve.”

World champion boxer Josh Warrington visits Harrogate gym

World champion boxer Josh Warrington thrilled members of a boxing club in Harrogate last night when he dropped in on a training session.

Warrington, the IBF featherweight king, was accompanied by IBO lightweight world champion Maxi Hughes at H Hour Boxing Gym on Skipton Road.

Rob Smith, head coach at the club, has known the fighters for years and invited them down.

They brought their world title belts and posed for pictures first with junior members and then with the seniors.

Josh Warrington visit

Maxi Hughes (left) and Josh Warrington with juniors Eduardo Pereira (front left) and Jeno Laki.

Warrington told the Stray Ferret he often visited Harrogate with his wife and daughters and found it peaceful compared to his home city of Leeds.

He has visited H Hour Boxing previously and said he particularly liked having the opportunity to inspire kids.

“It’s easy for them to go down the wrong path. I like to talk to them and say ‘life is hard, boxing is hard but stick at it because it’s worthwhile.

“I started at seven or eight and never thought I had the natural ability to succeed. It was my mindset that did it and now I like to instil that in other kids.”

Some fans brought memorabilia for Warrington and Hughes to sign and were clearly thrilled to meet them.

Maxi Hughes, Dane Hall and Josh Warrington

Dane Hall poses with the champs.

Dane Hall, 22, who has been training at the club for just under a year, got the fighters to sign his gloves. He said:

“Josh is bloody brilliant. He’s one of the boys. My dad is also a massive fan.”

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Rob Smith, who puts on training sessions three times a week at the club, is well connected in boxing. He is chairman of the central area of the British Boxing Board of Control and has brought the fighters to the gym on previous occasions. He said:

“Harrogate is perceived as an affluent area but boxing is a working class sport.

“Some of our members are not from the wealthiest families and they look at Josh and Maxi and see guys from similar working class backgrounds who have done the business at world level so it inspires them.”

H Hour Boxing Club

Training at the gym last night.

Plan to demolish Harrogate Debenhams withdrawn

A plan to demolish Harrogate’s former Debenhams store on Parliament Street has been withdrawn.

Wetherby-based property company Stirling Prescient submitted a proposal to demolish the three buildings that Debenhams was situated in and replace them with 50 flats and two commercial units.

The site on Parliament Street has been home to different retailers for more than a century. Before Debenhams, it housed the Buckley’s and Busby’s stores.

However, according to Harrogate Borough Council’s online planning portal, the application has now been withdrawn.

It follows an objection from Emma Gibbens, the council’s conservation officer, who raised concerns that the demolition of the building would harm the local area.

She said:

“The loss of the traditional building form and architectural detail would be harmful to the street scene and character and special interest of the conservation area, the building forming part of the designated heritage asset in a manner that contributes positively to its character.”

A view of the new apartments on Parliament Street.

A CGI view of the planned apartments at Debenhams on Parliament Street.

Ms Gibbens added that the developer needed to prove that the demolition was justified.

The objection followed similar concerns from campaign group Save Britain’s Heritage, which said the developer had failed to provide “clear or adequate justification” for demolishing the building.

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However, Historic England said it supported regeneration of the site but added that there should be a “sensitive conversion” of the two older department store buildings.

Stirling Prescient said in documents submitted to the council:

“The proposals as a whole will strengthen the town’s vitality and viability, increasing footfall and contributing to the local economy.

“The proposal represents a sustainable form of development and therefore benefits from the presumption in favour of sustainable development, meaning planning permission should be granted without delay.”

The Stray Ferret contacted Leeds-based planning consultants Quod, which were the agent for the developer, to ask why the application was withdrawn.

However, we did not receive a response by the time of publication.

New craft shop to open in Masham

A new craft and haberdashery shop is opening this Saturday in Masham.  

Through the Looking Glass, Each One Unique will open at 10am, with an Alice in Wonderland themed celebration, hoping to attract the attention of local shoppers.

The Queen of Hearts will be there to cut the ribbon, along with Alice, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, the caterpillar and Tweedledum and Tweedledee.  

Manager Emily Swift said:  

“I’m really looking forward to the new adventure and being a part of Masham community, although I am really nervous as well. 

“I hope the people of Masham will welcome us in with open arms and embrace us”.  

Through the Looking Glass was previously a women’s clothing shop that had been open for 40 years, and was forced to close during the pandemic. Ms Swift said she opted to keep the original name of the store, but wanted to take the shop in a new direction.  

She added that crafting has become more popular amongst teenagers recently, particularly during lockdown when lots of people took up the hobby.  

Often labelled the ‘crazy crochet lady’ by her friends, Ms Swift’s father taught her to crochet 13 years ago. Now, she is hoping more people will get involved and commented that crafting is “not just a female hobby”.  

Local solicitors shortlisted for legal firm award

Harrogate based solicitors Raworths LLP, has been shortlisted for an award that celebrates the achievements of law firms internationally.  

The trusts, wills and estates team are up for the ‘out of London practice of the year’ award, along with four other firms across the country.   

Head of trusts, wills and estates Rachel Tunnicliffe said:  

“This shortlist is particularly gratifying as, unlike a lot of awards, it isn’t something for which you nominate yourself.  

“This is testimony to the great team we have built, who are doing exciting work for top quality clients.” 

She added the team at Raworths are feeling confident about the award, but understand there will be stiff competition.  

The winners will be announced on 21st July at the Chambers event in London.   

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‘Where’s the infrastructure?’: New councillor queries 480-home Bluecoat Wood plan

Questions remain about how an extra 480 homes near Harlow Hill will impact roads, schools and doctor’s surgeries, according to the new councillor for the area.

Homes England last week submitted plans for the development at Bluecoat Wood opposite Cardale Park.

The site covers 28 hectares of largely green fields and the homes would wrap around horticultural charity Horticap.

The proposals include new cricket and football pitches.

A mix of one, two, three, four and five-bedroom houses are proposed for the site. Homes England says 40% of the houses will be allocated as “affordable”.

“Fed up with housebuilding”

Michael Schofield is the Liberal Democrat councillor for Harlow & St George’s on North Yorkshire County Council, after being elected this month.

The councillor, who is also the landlord of the Shepherd’s Dog pub, claims there is “no provision” in the plans for services that residents will use.

Cllr Schofield said:

“Don’t get me wrong, the idea of playing fields and a cricket pitch is great, but you do have to think about extra traffic and infrastructure.

“There’s no provision for services. I’d like to see more planning for residents.

“Yes the homes look attractive, but there’s no clear plan for infrastructure. I don’t want them to do anything until they have one.”

Cllr Schofield said there is strong feeling locally about the scale and speed of housebuilding.

“I see residents out walking their dogs and it’s the main issue people are telling me, they are fed up of seeing building site after building site.”

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Last month, a separate application was submitted by Anwyl Land and national housebuilder Redrow Homes for 780 homes on fields opposite Bluecoat Wood on Otley Road.

At Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association‘s (Hapara) AGM in April, the group’s secretary David Siddans said residents are bracing themselves for “15 years of disruption” due to the sheer number of homes that will be built in phases around Otley Road.

Hapara has been highly critical of the delayed West Harrogate Parameters Plan (WHPP), a document drawn up by Harrogate Borough Council that is supposed to address the infrastructure associated with the different housing developments.

A final version of the plan has yet to be signed off by the council.

The plan will also be supplemented with an ‘infrastructure delivery document’ to nail down the infrastructure requirements in greater detail, but it’s yet to see the light of day.

‘Pause a decision’

Mr Siddans called on Harrogate Borough Council to pause any decision on Bluecoat Wood until the infrastructure delivery document is published.

He said:

“Hapara accepts that the principle of development on this site has been established through the Local Plan process, but considers it essential that the proposals are considered in the wider context of the whole western arc expansion, particularly regarding infrastructure provision, sustainability, landscape protection and adherence to net zero carbon targets.

“Low building density, high-quality design and appropriate housing mix with tree-lined streets are also matters that we will be looking at in our response. That is why no decisions should be made on this application or any of the adjacent sites until the West of Harrogate Parameters Plan is finalised, including the detail of the infrastructure delivery plan.”

Mr Siddans’s words were echoed by Cllr Howard West, chair of Beckwithshaw and Haverah Parish Council.

He said:

“The parish council’s standpoint is that the application should not even be logged, let alone considered, until the infrastructure delivery plan part of the WHPP has been finalised and approved.”

Homes England

A planning statement by Homes England says the development has been guided by the WHPP.

It says the sports pitch will be used by local schools, improving facilities for the area’s children.

On transport, it says the development will eventually link up with the Otley Road Cycle Path and an existing bus service to Cardale Park.

“The site has a good level of accessibility with Harrogate town centre, via a comprehensive network of footways and cycleways and is within a short cycling distance of Harrogate town centre.

“There are existing bus services which are accessible from the site and offer a relatively frequent level of services and Harrogate Rail Station, Hornbeam Rail Station and Pannal Rail Station which can be accessed as part of a multi-modal journey to [and] from the site.”

Council hopes to start Otley Road phase two in autumn

North Yorkshire County Council bosses have said they hope to start work on phase two of Harrogate’s Otley Road cycle route in the Autumn.

The first phase of the route, which runs from Harlow Moor Road to Cold Bath Road, was completed in January.

However, residents raised concerns over its design and the length of time it took to complete the project.

As a result, county council officials delayed progress on the second phase to review its designs.

Now, the authority is expected to begin procurement for a contractor in June to start work on the second section of the route.

The new cycle lane will run from Arthurs Avenue to Beech Grove.

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Costs have yet to be revealed for the next section of the route, but Hull-based PBS Construction was awarded a contract worth £827,000 for the first phase.

When asked whether residents had been consulted on the next section of the cycle path, a county council spokesperson said:

“The phase two design was consulted on in 2019 but we will be engaging with local stakeholders to update them of progress to date and next steps.”

Meanwhile, phase three of the scheme, which would run from Harlow Moor Road to Cardale Park, is expected to be funded via contributions from housing developers.

Kevin Douglas, chair of Harrogate District Cycle Action, said previously that lessons needed to be learned from the first phase of the project.

He said:

“The higher quality cycle path we get, the more people will use it – that has always been our view as we want a scheme that delivers facilities which everyone can use.

“We also want lessons to be learnt from the first phase, and hopefully there is a genuine willingness to take on board the points we made.”

Thieves attempt break-in at Harrogate’s Marks & Spencer

Thieves attempted to break into the Harrogate Marks & Spencer store on Cambridge Street on Friday night.

It follows other town centre businesses reporting similar incidents to the police in recent months.

Burglars raided Browns jewellers in January, which is close to M&S on nearby Beulah Street.

Last week, the antiques shop 27 West Park was also targeted over night, but thieves left empty-handed after they failed to get in.

An M&S spokesperson said:

“We are supporting the police with their investigations into an attempted break-in at our Harrogate store on Friday night.”

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