Plan for new Claro Road care home set for approvalPlans to demolish a 20-bed care home on Claro Road in Harrogate and replace it with a new facility have been recommended for approval.
Disability Action Yorkshire has submitted the proposal, which would see a 34-bed facility built on its current site and on adjacent disused land.
The new home would be built in three three-storey blocks and would ease the shortage of accessible supported housing for local disabled people.
Senior Harrogate Borough Council officers have recommended that the scheme is approved at a planning committee meeting next week.
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The proposal consists of 24 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom flats.
Should it be approved, Disability Action Yorkshire plans to complete the scheme in partnership with Highstone Housing Association.
The council agreed to sell the adjacent land to the housing association for an undisclosed sum in November 2021.
It is hoped the project will be completed by the end of 2023.
Masterplan of the care home development on Claro Road as proposed by Disability Action Yorkshire.
Jackie Snape, chief executive at Disability Action Yorkshire, said previously:
“Our vision is to empower disabled people to live the lifestyle of their choosing, and independent living is at the heart of this.
“This is an incredibly exciting move for us, and something we have been planning for a number of years. Our partners, Highstone Housing Association, are experts in building supported housing.
“Whilst they will develop the site, it will be our staff supporting the residents, all of whom will have tailor-made care packages put in place before moving in.
“Our customers at 34 Claro Road have been fully consulted, and they looking forward to having their own front doors.”
Harrogate marketing agency celebrates 20th anniversaryA Harrogate marketing agency is celebrating its 20th anniversary this week.
Extreme was set up by Antony Prince and Mark Gledhill in 2002, predominantly focused on brochure websites and small search engine optimisations projects.
The multi-award-winning team has been in Harrogate’s Windsor House since 2014 and has worked with a range of B2B and B2C local, national and international brands including Severfield plc, Nisa, Lovat Parks, Black Sheep Brewery, Glorious! and Kura Organics.
Antony Prince, managing director, said:
“20 years in a fast-paced and sometimes fickle industry is something we’re very proud of. We’ve built a fantastic reputation for our creative and technical capabilities and we’ve worked with some amazing brands.”
Theakstons unveils new packaging for festival
Masham-based T&R Theakston is set to launch a limited edition packaging for its Old Peculier beer, ahead of this year’s Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival.
The brewery has repackaged the front of its bottles of Old Peculier to include a bloody thumbprint and the festival logo. Fans of the beer can see the special branding in all shops, and bars and restaurants stocking bottles of Old Peculier.
Simon Theakston, managing director at the brewery, and the packaging for the Old Peculiar.
Simon Theakston, joint managing director of T&R Theakston, said:
“We have worked closely with Harrogate International Festivals on the Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival for almost two decades now, and are so proud of what it has become.
“With household names such as Mark Billingham, Val McDermid and Ian Rankin regularly attending and participating in the festival, and with stories of book deals being signed over a pint of Old Peculier, it truly is the meeting place for anyone who is anyone in the crime writing world. We’re very pleased to relaunch our limited-edition Old Peculier packaging in anticipation of what we’re sure will be another hugely successful festival.”
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Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd gives up battle to bring back Montpellier Hill eventThe organisers of Harrogate Christmas Market on Montpellier Hill have given up their battle to bring the event back.
The market, which was staged from 2012 to 2019, attracted over 80,000 visitors, 187 coaches and nearly 200 traders.
But the event was scuppered late into its planning stages last year when Harrogate Borough Council refused its event management plan.
The council then staged an alternative 10-day Harrogate Christmas Fayre in the town centre in partnership with Market Place, a specialist market company from Greater Manchester.
Brian Dunsby, co-organiser of the Montpellier Hill event, had been campaigning to bring back the event but he has now conceded defeat.
‘Fed-up to the back teeth’
He told the Stray Ferret he was “fed-up to the back teeth” with the situation with the council and negotiations had “reached the end of the line”.
“It’s extremely disappointing after eight years of extremely successful events and then two years waiting in the wings trying to keep it going.”
Mr Dunsby added it was too soon to contemplate what might happen when Harrogate Borough Council is abolished next year and replaced by the new North Yorkshire Council.
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A statement from Mr Dunsby and his wife, Beryl, co-organisers of Harrogate Christmas Market Ltd, said:
“The Harrogate Christmas Market team leaders have now decided not to organise any future markets in Harrogate. We thank all our super local volunteers, voluntary organisations, local contractors and traders for all their support over the years.
“We wish those taking up the challenge of providing a good quality Christmas Market in Harrogate all the best as we know how hard it is to create something that is truly appreciated by visitors and traders and which supports local businesses.
“Thanks for your support over the past 10 years.”
Harrogate council open to selling Rotary Wood to Harrogate Spring WaterHarrogate Borough Council has said it would consider selling Rotary Wood to Harrogate Spring Water, as the company looks to expand its bottling plant on Harlow Moor Road.
The move was revealed in an email sent by Trevor Watson, the council’s director of economy and culture, to HSW in October 2021. It was obtained via a freedom of information request.
HSW leases the land where it is based, on Harlow Moor Road, from the council. The company pays the council ground rent of £13,000 a year plus turnover rent revenue, but this figure has never been publicly revealed.
The council is also the planning authority and in January last year councillors rejected a bid by HSW to expand its bottling plant into Rotary Wood.
The woodland was planted by the Rotary Club of Harrogate and local schoolchildren and is part of the council-owned Pinewoods.
In July 2021, Harrogate Spring Water said it would table new proposals to expand the bottling plant ‘within weeks’ but eight months on it has yet to do so.
Asset of Community Value
Pinewoods Conservation Group successfully registered the Pinewoods as an Asset of Community Value in 2015.
This means if the council decided to sell any of it, it must pause any sale for six months whilst it gives local community groups the chance to make an offer to buy it.
The email from the HSW employee, whose name is redacted, to Mr Watson reveals that representatives from HSW had a ‘helpful’ meeting with Conservative council leader Richard Cooper and deputy leader Graham Swift in September 2021. The ACV status of the woodland was discussed.
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In the email to Mr Watson, the HSW employee asked about the process for “releasing the land of this status”.
The email says as HSW decided to ‘do right by the town’ by not appealing last January’s refusal to grant planning permission, it asks the council to ‘lend your assistance’ around the ACV status of the wood, which it would like removed to speed up its planning application. It adds:
“A key element of the new application would be to try to expediate the process of releasing this land of its status, in order to avoid an unnecessarily protracted period of consultation and media scrutiny. I firmly believe this would be in the best interest of both parties.”
Open to offers
Mr Watson’s reply said that any sale of land with ACV status must follow due process but the authority would be open to offers.
Mr Watson added:
“The timing of all this therefore largely rests with HSW, in terms of how soon you wish to commence negotiations for the land and ultimately whether an in-principle agreement can be reached on potential disposal terms.”
He said informal discussions between the council and the business about buying the land took place “a number of years ago” but terms could not be reached.
Harrogate Spring Water’s head office on Harlow Moor Road in Harrogate.
Mr Watson said if a bid came in from HSW for the land, it would be subject to the usual six-month consultation period.
“We would therefore see the ball being in the HSW court in terms of formally approaching the council with a new, meaningful proposal for our consideration.
“If and when disposal terms are agreed in principle, the ACV process would then be formally triggered and we would carefully follow all the legal processes required, including public consultation as appropriate.”
Planning process ‘needs to be followed’
A Harrogate Spring Water spokesperson said:
“Harrogate Spring Water is evaluating its plans for the site and will communicate any update as and when that occurs. We are committed to working with the public and we will continue to keep people engaged and informed as part of the process”.
A Harrogate Borough Council spokeswoman said:
“This matter remains entirely in the hands of Harrogate Spring Water. We wrote to them back in Autumn 2021 setting out a factual response to questions that they asked us about our decision-making processes. We made very clear that there are distinct, statutory processes that we need to follow and that planning and land disposal processes are, quite rightly, dealt with as very separate matters. We have not had a response or any further discussions with the company on either the planning or land ownership situation”.
A spokesperson for Pinewoods Conservation Group said
“With each year that passes the Rotary Wood area of The Pinewoods becomes a more mature woodland with increasing bird and plant life, improving the biodiversity of the area and improving air quality.
“We are aware that Cllr Swift has been vocal in his support of this planned development but would be very concerned if any promises had been made to expedite any part of this complicated process and avoid full transparency and consultation. We also note that Cllr Cooper has recently been attending planning committee meeting and would hope he would now excuse himself from any future planning committee that considered these planning matters.
“However, we are somewhat comforted by comments from council officers restating the legal and planning processes that needs to be followed with respect to disposal of public land, and land that is protected as an ‘asset of community value’.
“Our lawyers will continue to monitor progress with interest.”
Ripon man who helped Ukrainian refugees set for hero’s return
A month after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lewis Edwards is planning to return to his home city of Ripon with Ukrainian partner Tanya Bogdanovska.
Teachers Mr Edwards and Ms Bogdanovska fled Kyiv, where they had been working at a private school, on February 25.
Joining the mass migration of refugees who sought safety in neighbouring NATO countries, they arrived in Slovakia.
There, they and eight friends created a shelter to help Ukrainian women, children and men over 60 find sanctuary in other parts of Europe.
This morning Mr Edwards told the Stray Ferret:
“We are awaiting the outcome of Tanya’s application to travel with me to the UK and once all is in place, our plan is to head straight to Ripon.
“That will give us time to find our feet again, while being with family, friends and meeting some of people who have been so generous in supporting our work with refugees.”
Former soldier Mike Heelan is also returning home to Harrogate after travelling to Slovakia to help. Mr Edwards said:
“I would like to say a massive thank you to Mike Heelan, who came over from Harrogate when he read about what we have been doing in Slovakia.
“His help has been invaluable and we will be wishing him well when he heads off back to the UK later today.”
Former soldier Mike Heelan is returning to Harrogate.
Fundraising for Ukraine to continue
Their efforts have been supported by a gofundme page launched by Mr Edwards’ family. More than £19,000 has been raised.
Though they are leaving Slovakia, the fundraising will continue.
Mr Edwards’ mother, Ali, said:
“We are excited that he will be returning to the UK with Tanya and look forward to their safe arrival in Ripon.
“Though they leaving Slovakia, we are committed to continuing the fundraising for the people of Ukraine, who face a desperate situation for the foreseeable future. The monies raised will go to other groups who will be providing humanitarian assistance.”
The flag of Ukraine flies above Ripon Town Hall
The Mayor of Ripon, Councillor Eamon Parkin, supported the gofundme appeal through an event staged this month at The Magdalens Pub, which he owns and runs with his consort, Nigel Guy,
Cllr Parkin, said:
“We already have the flag of Ukraine flying on the town hall and Lewis and Tanya will be welcomed as heroes, when they arrive in the city.”
Funds raised in Ripon have been used to source ambulances, buy and transport vital medical supplies and food and provide shelter.
This work will continue, through the increased involvement of the Slovakian government, acting in liaison with humanitarian aid agencies and on-the-ground volunteer groups.
Harrogate schoolchildren hold peace walk for UkraineMore than 200 children from a Harrogate primary school took part in a peace walk for Ukraine this morning.
Pupils from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, on Coppice Rise, walked from the school to St John’s Church on Bilton Lane to raise money and awareness for those fleeing the conflict.
Children were encouraged to come to school dressed in yellow and blue, the colours of the Ukraine flag, for the walk and to make a donation to the UNICEF campaign to support children in the country.
Beforehand, they took part in a liturgy led by pupils from years three and five.
Pupils at St Joseph’s with their banners which they created for the Ukraine walk.
Children sang peace hymns for Ukraine, held prayers and read from passages in the Bible.
Rachel Rouse, headteacher at St Joseph’s, said:
“We do a lot of fundraising for other things.
“We felt as a whole school that we needed to do something for Ukraine.”
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On the walk, pupils were given blue and yellow ribbons and waved banners at passing drivers on Skipton Road.
Once at St John’s, the whole school gathered to sing a hymn to show they were united for Ukraine before returning to finish with further prayers and singing.
You can donate to Unicef’s campaign for children here.
Harrogate stolen bank cards: police release CCTV image of suspectPolice are appealing for information about a man suspected of withdrawing hundreds of pounds on stolen bank cards.
The man is believed to have stolen a purse from an equestrian event at Rudding Lane near Harrogate between 11am and 1.30pm on Sunday, February 6.
Officers believe the purse was stolen from an unoccupied horsebox.
Police enquires have uncovered CCTV footage of the cards being used at cash machines in Wetherby between 1.50pm and 2.15pm the same day.
Cash was taken from the Halifax bank in the Market Place and Sainsbury’s on Crossley Street.
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A North Yorkshire Police statement added:
“If you can help identify the man in the CCTV images, please call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Colin Baker. Or email colin.baker@northyorkshire.police.uk.
“If you would prefer to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
“Please quote reference number 12220021901 when providing details.”
Drink-drive charge after car crashes into Harrogate gardenHarrogate roads policing sergeant Paul Cording has published photos of a car that crashed into a Harrogate home over the weekend.
Sgt Cording, who regularly tweets about police life on the road, said the driver, who has not been named, had been charged with drink-driving and would appear in court next month. He tweeted:
“Thankfully no injuries and no one was in the garden at the time.”
He posted about the incident at about 7am yesterday morning.
During two busy weekend night shifts, Sgt Cording also tweeted about a car driver in Ripon refusing to stop when asked by police and the recovery of class A drugs.
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Plan to convert disused Harrogate church into seven homesPlans have been submitted to convert the disused Church of St Mary on Harlow Terrace in Harrogate into seven homes and office space.
The homes would have either two or three bedrooms and 9 car parking spaces would be added.
The grade II* listed Gothic building was built in 1916 but has structural problems.
Mineral felt in the roof is leaking and the stone is deteriorating. It was designed by renowned architect Sir Walter Tapper.
In October 2020 it was placed on Historic England’s ‘At Risk’ register.
Previous plans
A different application to convert the church into office space was granted by Harrogate Borough Council in 2017 but it never materialised.
Shaw and Jagger Architects bought the church in November 2018 with the intention of turning part of the church into its offices with a business partner.
These plans were approved in 2020 but building work did not start.
The latest proposals for the church still include office space intended for the architect firm, but most of the building would now be turned into housing.
The council will decide on the plans at a later date.
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New hair salon opens in Harrogate tomorrowAllertons hair salon will open its fourth location, Allertons Harrogate, tomorrow.
The salon is located on Montpellier Street and will offer haircuts, colouring, treatments and styling.
Beauty treatments including massage and manicures will be available from the summer.
The company has two other locations in Leeds and one in Nottingham.
Founder Nicholas Nicola said:
“We think it will be well received. We aren’t led by fashion but what the clients want from root tints to bright blue. Harrogate already has so many lovely salons and hopefully we can bring something different.”
You can book online now by visiting this website or by calling us on 01423 608868.
Knaresborough-based maternity brand to launch next month
The Mum Collective is a Knaresborough-based maternity and nursing clothing brand that promises to offer “something different”.
Based in Knaresborough and set up by Sophie Baldwin, the online brand is launching with an essentials collection comprising of a t-shirt, sweater and hoodie. Each item has hidden zips for feeding.
Ms Baldwin said:
“When I fell pregnant one thing I found is that there wasn’t a great deal of clothes I actually wanted to wear that I would feel good in, that would also see me through my entire pregnancy as I was growing, and then through to my breastfeeding journey as well.”
“It was created with a mum and mum-to-be’s entire journey in mind.”
The new essentials range