Council backs down from legal battle with housebuilder over 53 homes in Harrogate

A long-running campaign to prevent 53 homes being built off a quiet cul-de-sac in Harrogate has suffered a severe setback.

Teesside developer Jomast applied to build the homes off Knox Lane in Bilton.

Councillors on North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee overruled a council officer’s recommendation when they voted to reject the scheme in September last year.

The campaign group Keep Knox Natural hailed the the outcome, which it said had “strengthened local community spirit and resolve”.

Jomast subsequently appealed to the government’s Planning Inspectorate and indicated it intended to seek costs. It said the plans had been recommended for approval by council officers four times and councillors were wrong not to approve them.

Trevor Watson, the council’s assistant director of planning, said today it had “agreed not to contest” the appeal.

Mr Watson said:

“In October 2023 we refused planning permission for 53 houses at Knox Lane, Harrogate on grounds relating to highway matters, landscape impact and biodiversity issues. The developer Jomast appealed the decision with the Planning Inspectorate.

“The public inquiry to consider the appeal will take place from July 23, 2024 where all interested parties will be able to put their views forward to the independent planning inspector who will make a final decision.

“However, following external legal advice, members of the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency planning committee have decided not to contest the appeal.”

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Harrogate College taking ‘massive gamble’ with parking space reduction, councillor saysHarrogate and Knaresborough MP pledges to ‘work hard’ to win voters’ trust

The MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough has greeted the news of the impending general election with a combative statement and a pledge that he will be “working hard” to win voters’ trust again.

Andrew Jones was first elected to Parliament in 2010 and has won the constituency at four general elections. Unlike 65 of his parliamentary party colleagues, such as Theresa May, Sajid Javid, Dominic Raab and Ben Wallace, he intends to stand again and win a fifth on July 4.

In a statement, Mr Jones contrasted his strong links to the area with those of his opponents. He said:

“I am standing again to be Harrogate and Knaresborough’s MP. I have never stood anywhere else but here. I have lived here since the last century. I have been a local councillor here. I worked in business here before becoming an MP. I have a long-term track record of action and delivery in our community.

“My principal opponents cannot match that local record. One [Liberal Democrat candidate Tom Gordon] has been a councillor in Newcastle, was a councillor In Wakefield as recently as last year and has stood for Parliament twice already in other seats. The other [Labour candidate Conrad Whitcroft] is a councillor in York.”

The constituency, and the previous Harrogate constituency that included Knaresborough, has been held by Conservatives continuously since 1950, except when the Liberal Democrat Phil Willis was MP from 1997 to 2010. He now sits in the House of Lords as Baron Willis of Knaresborough.

Before 1950, Harrogate and Knaresborough were part of the Ripon constituency, which was held by the Tories continuously from 1910.

Nevertheless, speaking to the Stray Ferret last year, Mr Jones said he’d never regarded the constituency as “anything other than a marginal”, and in his latest statement cautioned against change. He said:

“Nationally, the choice has become clearer as the economy has turned a corner. We embed that progress and build on it or we risk it all on a Labour party with no plan for our future and no policies.

“On 5 July we will wake up with Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister or Keir Starmer. No other outcome is possible. And there has only ever been a Labour Prime Minister when this constituency has elected anyone other than a Conservative.

“Choosing that local champion combined with choosing our next Prime Minister is the responsibility that lies with us all on 4 July. I hope that Harrogate and Knaresborough residents will choose me again and I will be working hard win that trust once more.”

Other than Mr Jones, four candidates have so far declared their intention to stand for election as MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough: Tom Gordon, Liberal Democrats; Shan Oakes, Green Party; John Swales, Reform UK; and Conrad Whitcroft, Labour.

The general election was called yesterday (Wednesday, May 22) by the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, and will take place on July 4.

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Harrogate florist wins third gold medal at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

A Harrogate florist has been awarded its third gold medal at this year’s Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show.

Helen James Flowers, based on Station Parade, received the accolade for the RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year category.

It is the fifth year the company has been invited to compete at the show.

Laura Pannitt, daughter of owner Helen James, created the design and represented the business at the show.

She told the Stray Ferret:

“This year was the first time I’ve submitted a design and exhibited at Chelsea.

“The RHS usually release a schedule at the end of the previous year or beginning of the year. You then submit your design with an explanation of how it would be executed and what flowers would be used, then you’re selected from there.”

Ms James said her daughter was one of just 10 lucky florists selected to compete in the category.

Helen James Flowers’ display at Chelsea Flower Show.

The category brief was ‘colour’, Ms Pannitt said, adding she felt inspired to create something “bold” and “energetic”.

She said:

“I wanted to represent something like the cycle of nature.

“The base structure was neutral, a little like a seed first being sowed, then it becomes this colourful and exciting display. It’s a bit like the seed then blossoming into a plant or flower.”

The display, which had to sit on a 40cm x 40xcm plinth, featured a range of fresh flowers, including gloriosa, knipofia, scabious, clematis, dahlias and more.

The base structure took around a week to build, Ms Panitt said, adding the flower arrangement then took another 7 hours to put together.

She added:

“I was so excited but it’s also so nerve-wracking. You know you’re down there with the best of the best.

“I’d love to do it again though. Hopefully, if we get selected again, I can.”

Helen and Laura are only the second mother-daughter team to win gold medals at the show, Ms James said.

Helen James Flowers also struck gold at the show in 2019 and 2023. It was awarded a silver gilt medal in 2022.

The floristry firm was also named RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year in 2019.

Lara Thorpe of London-based Wild at Heart Flowers won the RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year award this year.

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Police launch investigation after girl, 13, attacked on the StrayOpposition parties prepare for chance to end Tory stranglehold in Harrogate and Knaresborough

Opposition parties have welcomed the chance to end 14 years of Conservative domination in Harrogate and Knaresborough at the general election.

Andrew Jones has held the seat for the Tories since 2010, winning four elections in a row.

But with some national forecasts predicting a Liberal Democrat win, and Labour buoyant after David Skaith’s mayoral victory, there appears to be everything to play for on July 4.

Electoral Calculus currently gives the Lib Dems a 65% chance of success in Harrogate and Knaresborough, compared with 22% for the Conservatives and 12% for Labour.

But UK Polling Report says the Conservatives have a 35.78% chance, the Lib Dems 35.62%, Labour 24.05% and the Greens 4.1%

Tom Gordon, the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate said it was a “once-in-a-generation chance to kick the Conservatives out of power”, adding:

“It’s clear that only the Liberal Democrats can beat the Conservatives in Harrogate and Knaresborough, it’s neck and neck here and every vote will count.

“After years of struggling to get GP and dental appointments, soaring rents and mortgages and our rivers being polluted by filthy sewage, it’s time for a change in Harrogate & Knaresborough.”

Conrad Whitcroft, who was named Labour’s parliamentary candidate yesterday (May 22) just hours before Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the election, said:

“After 14 years of Conservative-led failure I am glad that Rishi Sunak has finally had the guts to call a general election. The people of Harrogate and Knaresborough now have the chance to give their verdict on this government’s record of chaos and decline.

“I am proud to have been chosen by the Labour Party to stand in Harrogate and Knaresborough. I am ready to give Harrogate and Knaresborough the chance to vote for change.”

Green Party candidate Shan Oakes said a vote for her party was “a vote for real change”, adding:

“We’re the only party to have clear and consistent policies to move us all towards a fairer,  healthier world where we work with nature instead of trashing her. I’m deeply saddened by the outrageous  profiteering we are seeing at the expense of nature.

“People and nature have been sacrificed on the altar of corporate greed . The Greens have been clear on this for at least half a century…and it’s time our voice was heard.”

John Swales, Reform UK’s candidate, said he hoped to poll a higher percentage of votes in Harrogate and Knaresborough than the 12% to 14% the party was generating nationally.

Mr Swales said Harrogate was no longer a genteel spa town; it had expanded hugely and many people had concerns about issues such as housing that were shared by Reform, he said, adding it was the only real party for change.

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Harrogate surgery accused of discriminating against older people

A Harrogate charity for older people has raised concerns about a GP surgery making it more difficult for patients to request prescriptions.

Spa Surgery at Mowbray Square Medical Centre has sealed up letterboxes outside the surgery where patients could deposit prescriptions to encourage more people to post orders online.

It prompted 68-year-old patient Michael Burlinson to claim the move was an “egregious example of ageism’, as reported by the Stray Ferret last week.

Kate Rogata, director of Supporting Older People, told the Stray Ferret the move “does feel discriminatory”.

Ms Rogata, whose organisation alleviates isolation and loneliness, said the surgery should recognise “not everyone can use the technology to order prescriptions online”, adding:

“It feels as though they are disenfranchising elderly people. We have to remember the minority and make sure there are options that everyone can use.”

The sealed letter boxes.

Ms Rogata urged the surgery to “reverse” the move, which she described as “slightly retrograde”, and “consider all means for people to request their prescriptions”.

Spa Surgery has said patients can still drop off paper requests in person at the surgery. Ms Rogata welcomed this but said she still had concerns:

“That can only really be done when the practice is open. There should be methods in which people can request or send their requests at any time – like posting it in the letterbox.

“My own surgery welcomes any method of requesting prescriptions.”

‘We are sorry if there’s been any confusion’

Spa Surgery said it had nothing to add to its previous statement in response to Mr Burlinson’s concerns.

Practice manager Clare Hedges said at the time:

“We are sorry if there’s been any confusion.

“In the letter to our patients we wanted to first direct people to our telephone and online services. However, we realised that people who had contacted us with issues which prevented them using digital media or a telephone service may still have a paper prescription.

“If they were heading to our surgery with the intention of using our post box – now sealed – we thought it would be helpful for patients to know they could still drop these off in person or post them to us using Royal Mail.”

Mowbray Square Medical Centre comprises of Spa Surgery, East Parade Surgery and Park Parade Surgery under one roof.

The sealed letter boxes belong to all three practices.

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Who will be standing in the Harrogate district at the general election?

Five candidates have so far been announced to stand in Harrogate and Knaresborough at this year’s general election.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed today that the country will go to the polls on July 4.

The announcement came amid heightened speculation in Westminster after Mr Sunak called ministers to a cabinet meeting this afternoon.

It means Andrew Jones, Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, will be defending his 9,675 majority in six weeks’ time.

Mr Jones will be hoping to win the seat he won in 2010 for the fifth consecutive election.

He will be up against at least four other candidates from the Liberal Democrats, Labour, Green Party and Reform UK.

The confirmed candidates so far are:

Skipton and Ripon

Meanwhie, Julian Smith, Conservative MP for Skipton and Ripon, will also be defending the seat he won in 2010.

Mr Smith currently holds a 23,694 majority in the constituency, which he has held since 2010.

So far, Andy Brown has been confirmed as the Green Party candidate for the seat and Simon Garvey will stand for the Reform UK.

The upcoming election will also see the newly created Wetherby and Easingwold be contested for the first time.

The new seat was created as part of parliamentary boundary changes announced by government and will include locations including Boroughbridge, Spofforth and Bishop Monkton in the Harrogate district.

So far, Elmet and Rothwell MP Alec Shelbrooke has been announced as the Conservative candidate for the seat and Mike Jordan will stand for Reform UK.

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Labour names candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough

The Labour Party has selected Conrad Whitcroft as its candidate for Harrogate and Knaresborough at the next general election.

Mr Whitcroft, who has never previously stood for parliament, lives in York and works as a project manager for insurance firm Aviva.

He was elected to represent Fishergate on City of York Council this month and supported David Skaith’s successful mayoral campaign for Labour.

Mr Whitcroft attended school in Northampton then graduated from the University of York with a degree in politics.

A profile on the York Labour Party website describes him as an ‘active union rep’ and environmental campaigner. He has also been an intern in the House of Commons.

Mr Skaith’s victory in this month’s York and North Yorkshire mayoral election boosted local Labour supporters.

But the party faces an uphill battle to win in Harrogate and Knaresborough at the next general election. Mark Sewards, its candidate in 2019, polled just 10% of votes to finish third behind Conservative Andrew Jones and Liberal Democrat Judith Rogerson.

Mr Jones will defend the seat for the Tories while Tom Gordon will stand for the Lib Dems.

Conrad Whitcroft with supporters.

In a Labour press release today, Mr Whitcroft said Harrogate and Knaresborough “has been let down by more than a decade of Conservative-led government”.

He added:

“It will be an honour to lead the campaign for Labour in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

“My priorities in our area include tackling anti-social behaviour, building more affordable housing and working closely with David Skaith.

“I know Harrogate and Knaresborough well and enjoy campaigning there with the local Labour Party. I particularly enjoy the Knaresborough-based Turning Point Brewery which I have had a tour of in the past.”

The press release added:

“As a councillor, Conrad has delivered ward funding to fight the cost of living crisis and has recently taken a leading role in a campaign to stop a new takeaway in a residential area.

Harrogate-born Mr Skaith said:

“Conrad worked hard for my election campaign and has proven himself as a councillor. He will make an excellent Labour candidate for my home town.”

Chris Watt, chair of Harrogate and Knaresborough Labour Party, said:

“As Labour’s win in Harrogate and Knaresborough in the recent mayoral election showed, it’s all to play for locally and when Rishi Sunak finally has the courage to call the election the choice will be clear: more chaos under the Tories or real change and a fresh start with Labour.

“Conrad has shown that’s he an effective and energetic campaigner who gets results and we are looking forward to working with him for the people of Harrogate and Knaresborough.”

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Harrogate Cat Rescue unable to take in any more pets

Harrogate Cat Rescue has said it is unable to take in any more cats or kittens.

The Harrogate charity shelter cats and cares for them until they can find their forever homes.

It said in a statement today it had received a record number of animals this year and due to slow adoption rates did not have the capacity to take in any more.

The organisation is not a traditional cat rescue with an animal shelter where it can host cats; it relies on foster carers for cats until they are adopted.

Technically it does not have a maximum capacity but the charity currently has more than 80 kittens in its care, not including older cats. and needs more volunteers to help shelter cats until they can be adopted.

Volunteer Lisa Francis told the Stray Ferret the cost of living crisis and education about the care cats needed were the biggest factors limiting the adoption process. She said:

“We know that times are tough, and this is very noticeably reflected in the rate of adoptions.

“Normally, there is a reasonably steady flow of enquiries and subsequent adoptions, which in turn adds to our resources and frees up foster space to allow us to take in other cats and kittens in desperate need.”

“Due to the incredibly slow rate of adoptions, we are currently stuck, unable to take in any more cats and kittens until we can free up space through adoptions.”

Many people buy young kittens without doing any research first and they the animals later end up in care. The charity currently has cats in foster care ranging from young kittens, older kittens (6 months+) to cats over 1 year all ready to be adopted.

The charity educates people on the advantages of adopting an older cat or kitten. Including that older cats do not need so much attention and are less demanding, they don’t have to be closely monitored with young children, they can be homed alone and they generally already know house rules.

Ms Francis added that pressure on the charity would be reduced if people considered adopting older cats. She also said cat owners can help the situation by neutering their pets.

She said:

“Many people don’t realise that kittens can get pregnant after four months and after having a litter they can be pregnant again within two weeks.”

The charity urged anyone considering getting a pet to speak to them prior to buying a cat.

Ms Francis said:

“People might want to buy a cat but can’t afford one at the moment. Fostering can be a great opportunity for this situation, we cover the main costs such as medical bills and someone gets a cat to look after.

“Please bear us in mind if you are looking to adopt a cat or kitten and talk to us about options. Quite often what people think will be right for them isn’t, and we can help you find the right new addition to your family.”

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