100 trees to be planted in Harrogate district for Queen’s jubilee

Tree planting has begun across the Harrogate district to mark the queen’s platinum jubilee next year.

About 100 elm, oak, hornbeam, sycamore and lime trees will be planted in the district as part of a nationwide initiative called The Queen’s Green Canopy, which invites people from across the United Kingdom to ‘plant a tree for the jubilee’.

The trees will be planted on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road, Jacob Smiths Park in Knaresborough, High Cleugh in Ripon, Pateley Bridge recreation ground and Boroughbridge recreation ground.

One tree from each location will be saved to plant on February 6, the queen’s accession day.

Harrogate Borough Council is organising the project and hopes the initiative will also help it achieve its carbon reduction initiatives. It is encouraging everyone, including individuals, community groups, businesses and landowners to also plant a tree.

Councillor Andy Paraskos, the council’s cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:

“The Queen’s Green Canopy is a wonderful opportunity for us to not only honour Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee but also help address the climate situation and deliver carbon reduction initiatives throughout the Harrogate district.”

The Queen’s Green Canopy will coincide with the borough council’s plans to plant thousands of trees in Bilton Beck Wood and Willow Wood, Harrogate and Upper Horse Shoe Fields, Knaresborough as part of the White Rose Forest partnership.

To get involved and plant a tree, people can pin it to the Queen’s Green Canopy map. It will then count towards Harrogate’s total.

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Councillors weren’t ‘bullied’ into approving plans for 200 Harrogate homes, says council

Harrogate Borough Council has “entirely refuted” claims from its own councillors that they were “bullied” into approving plans for up to 200 homes at a former police training base.

The proposals for the Yew Tree Lane site in Pannal Ash were approved during a three-hour meeting last Tuesday when the applicant Homes England was accused of making legal “threats” over any further delays on the application first submitted in June 2020.

Councillors had initially rejected a recommendation of approval during the meeting before claiming they had been “bullied” into the final decision.

This claim was supported by residents who said councillors “were unduly influenced” by the “threat” of a costly appeal from Homes England – the government’s housing agency.

The council has now issued a statement saying planning committee members must base their decisions on local and national planning policy. It added:

“Although the committee initially voted not to accept the officer’s recommendation, it is incumbent of them to provide acceptable planning reasons to support their decision.

“The decision was discussed at length and committee members were unable to identify sound reasons to justify such a vote, explaining their return to the original vote on the recommendation before them.

“Views that members were bullied, misled or voted due to fatigue are entirely refuted.”

Formal complaint

The council’s handling of the application has led to it receiving a formal complaint from Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents’ Association, and Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council.

David Oswin, deputy chair of the parish council, this week described the decision from councillors as “shambolic” and “embarrassing”.

He said:

“Coupled with threats of a legal challenge by the developer and misinformation from the officers, councillors were frankly bullied and bamboozled into reversing a decision that potentially sets a dangerous precedent for those with the deepest pockets to exploit.”

During last Tuesday’s meeting, it was also revealed that Homes England had written to the council claiming it acted “unlawfully” when councillors delayed a decision on the plans in summer.

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Homes England was asked to comment on this and the claims of “bullying,” but only provided a short statement explaining the council’s decision:

“Members of the Harrogate Borough Council planning committee approved our planning application at the former police training centre last week.

“The scheme will deliver 200 new homes – including 30% affordable homes.”

A decision on the plans was previously delayed to allow time for work on the West Harrogate Parameters Plan – a long-delayed document which sets out the infrastructure needs for the up to 4,000 new homes set to be built in the west of the district.

It was due to be completed last year, but will now not be published in draft form until at least February net year.

The plans from Homes England include the conversion of several former police buildings into 16 homes and the construction of 184 new properties at the former training centre which closed in 2011.

A reserved matters application is expected in spring 2022 and if approved, construction could start in autumn.

Five females aged 16 and 17 at Harrogate army college reported rape or sexual assault

Five females aged 16 and 17 based at Harrogate’s Army Foundation College have reported rape or sexual assault since 2015.

Sexual assault allegations by junior soldiers in the British Army came to light in October following a freedom of information request to the Ministry of Defence by the charity Child Rights International Network (CRIN).

The MOD revealed there had been 41 complaints of rape or sexual assault by under 18s in the army since 2015.

Government junior defence minister Leo Docherty said yesterday in a written response to a question on the subject that five of these complaints were from young females based at Harrogate.

The college on Pennypot Lane recruits about 1,500 young men and women each year. It is the only British Army establishment that delivers military training to soldiers under the age of 18.

Allegations of bullying and abuse at the college were raised in the House of Lords last month.

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The college was recently rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, which gave positive feedback on safeguarding at the college, saying it investigated incidents thoroughly and made necessary improvements.

A British Army spokesperson said:

“We have very strong duty of care and safeguarding mechanisms at AFC (Harrogate) to ensure junior soldiers have the right support structures.  This includes multiple methods of accessing welfare support, including confidential support lines. We take every incident seriously and will refer an allegation to the Royal Military Police for investigation. We also have a Ministry of Defence police officer based at AFC (Harrogate) to assist in education and investigation.

“The armed forces takes any allegation of rape or sexual assault very seriously, and investigates all allegations thoroughly, taking action where appropriate.

“Since 2018 the Royal Military Police has provided sexual offence and consent training at all army basic training establishments in support of the army’s approach to eradicating offending amongst its ranks and educating on the complexities of consent. So far this year, sexual offence and consent training has been delivered to over 600 soldiers at AFC (Harrogate).”

‘Positive’ feedback from stroke patients sent outside Harrogate for emergency treatment

Feedback from stroke patients sent outside the Harrogate district for emergency treatment has been “largely positive,” an NHS official has said.

Under major changes introduced in 2019, ambulances began taking patients to specialist units at Leeds or York hospitals rather than Harrogate after evidence showed they had a better chance of survival – even if travel times are increased.

Simon Cox, director of acute commissioning at North Yorkshire’s NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups, said there are now “early indications” that the changes have had a “positive impact” on patients, although he added a full review would be carried out.

He said in a report:

“We have carried out a qualitative survey of those patients who have been through the direct transfer stroke pathway to gather feedback on their experiences which have been largely positive.

“It is timely now, as part of the integrated care system-wide review of hyper acute provision, to conduct a thorough review of the outcomes of the changes.”

The changes were introduced following a national review which found larger, more specialist stroke units were better equipped to increase survival rates and improve recovery times.

Around 300 people in the Harrogate district fall seriously ill with a stroke each year, with two thirds being taken to Leeds and the other third to York.

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Once patients have received treatment at the specialist units, they are either discharged home with support from a rehabilitation team or transferred to Harrogate District Hospital for ongoing care.

Mr Cox previously said figures on survival rates had been “significantly skewed” by the pandemic and would be published at a later date.

He explained the figures were “skewed” as fewer patients had presented at hospitals with stroke symptoms due to Covid fears – something he added was “concerning”.

In his report to a meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s scrutiny of health committee on Friday, Mr Cox provided some examples of the positive feedback.

One patient said:

“The doctors and staff in the stroke unit of York Hospital were fantastic – so kind and caring and I will always be indebted to them for literally saving my life.”

However, not all feedback has been positive with some residents in Scarborough raising concerns over similar changes introduced in the area.

Mr Cox said in his report that questions over transport times and staffing levels had  been raised during public consultation events held in November.

He said:

“There was a vocal minority who challenged the move to the new stroke pathway, despite the clinical benefits.

“Although some anxieties remain about the new stroke pathways for the east coast and Harrogate areas, particularly from residents on the east coast and mainly related to travel and  transport times, those who experienced the new pathway were very positive about the care that they received.”

Harrogate business groups criticise ‘confusing’ Plan B ahead of Commons vote

Harrogate business groups have described the government’s Plan B coronavirus restrictions as confusing, ahead of tonight’s vote in the House of Commons.

Both Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce and Harrogate Business Improvement District are concerned about the impact the measures would have on businesses.

David Simister, chief executive of the chamber, said:

“To me, Plan B makes no sense whatsoever. Whilst being asked to work from home we can still go to the gym, restaurants, pubs, bars and Christmas parties – all without the need of wearing a mask!

“If businesses do close offices, working from home will have an impact on the economy – public transport, car parks hospitality and retail will all suffer as a result.”

More than 80 Conservative MPs are expected tonight to vote against the measures, which include vaccine passports for large gatherings, compulsory face masks in more settings and the reintroduction of the work from home policy whenever possible.

Harrogate MPs Nigel Adams, Andrew Jones and Julian Smith.

Harrogate MPs Nigel Adams, Andrew Jones and Julian Smith.

The Stray Ferret contacted Harrogate district Conservative MPs Andrew Jones, Julian Smith and Nigel Adams to ask whether they intended to vote with the government.

However, we did not receive a response by the time of publication. MPs are expected to vote at around 6.30pm.

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Harrogate BID manager Matthew Chapman said:

“The message we are consistently promoting is that Harrogate is open for business – and that will continue after tonight’s Commons vote.

“If this confusing message does have an impact on Christmas trade, then I feel the government should be considering financial support to counter this.

“The rail commute into town is certainly quieter than last week, and I know a large number of office levy payers are now working from home, which will have an impact on the economy.

“However, with covid measures still in place in many businesses, I’m not sure how many employees will work from home.

“Whilst it looks likely the government will have a majority, covid passports and lateral flow tests to visit nightclubs and indoor venues will prove problematic, as who’s going to police it? I hope that people can continue to be kind and considerate to those who are working so hard in these sectors.”

Police cordon off Jennyfields house after serious incident

There has been a heavy police presence today at a house in Jennyfields after a serious incident.

North Yorkshire Police arrived at Norwood Grove at about 10am this morning and were still there when the Stray Ferret attended the scene at 2.30pm this afternoon after being alerted by a concerned resident.

Two police cars and a crime scene investigation van were in attendance and a house had been cordoned off.

We contacted the police for further details but had not received a reply by the time of publication.

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Tim Walls, a resident on nearby Hartwith Drive, said:

“We left the house to go to the dentist at around 10am. As we were leaving two big police vans came onto the road.

“When we got back they were still here. I walked over to Norwood Grove and noticed police there with a police cordon at the house next to the ginnel.

“Later I also saw some police officers searching the waste bin in the park behind my house. They were there for around 30 minutes.”

As soon as we receive a reply we will update this story.

Tesco submits plans for new Skipton Road supermarket

Tesco has submitted a planning application to build a new supermarket on the former gasworks site on Skipton Road in Harrogate.

The new store would be 38,795 square feet and include a petrol filling station, 200 car parking spaces, electric vehicle charging points and 24 cycle spaces. Tesco says 100 new jobs would be created.

For access, a new roundabout would be created on Skipton Road. It would be built close to the New Park roundabout.

Tesco ran two-week consultation on the plans in September and October and received feedback from 190 people. Tesco said 70% of respondents supported its proposals.

If Harrogate Borough Council approves the plans, Tesco said it hopes to open the store in 2023.

Andy Boucher, development executive at Tesco, said:

“We are thrilled with the response we have received from local residents to our consultation and I would like to thank all of those people who took part.

“Our consultation found a majority of local residents support the proposed new supermarket.

“We will now be working closely with Harrogate Borough Council and hope to receive planning permission next year.”

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A 20-year history

Tesco has harboured ambitions to build a supermarket on the site for almost 20 years.

The Stray Ferret obtained Land Registry documents that reveal Tesco bought the site for £2.8m in 2003.

It submitted a proposal to build a supermarket there in 2009, which was approved by Harrogate Borough Council in 2012.

However, Tesco pulled out in 2016 following a changing retail landscape and years of opposition from retailers, which said the supermarket would damage local trade. An Aldi supermarket opened on the retail park just off Skipton Road in 2016.

In 2021, Tesco has signalled its intention to return to opening new large-scale supermarkets in the UK.

This year, it opened its first new superstore in six years in Penwortham, Lancashire. Four more supermarkets are scheduled to open this year.

Vaccination centre to open at Harrogate hospital

A vaccination centre is set to open at Harrogate District Hospital this weekend as part of the ramping up of covid booster vaccines.

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust confirmed today that it hopes the site will open on Saturday.

It will provide another booster option for over-18s, who can currently receive jabs at the GP-run Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate and Ripon Races or one of several pharmacy sites in the district.

Dr Matt Shepherd, deputy chief operating officer at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said: 

“The trust is responding as quickly as possible to the national ask to rapidly expand and support the covid-19 booster programme.

“We are currently establishing a vaccination centre for the public at Harrogate District Hospital where we can provide them with covid-19 booster vaccinations.

“The centre is aiming to be open from Saturday, December 18, and members of the public can book their vaccination via the national booking service.”

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Following the announcement of the speed-up in the booster programme, Health Secretary Sajid Javid told the House of Commons that some non-urgent and elective surgery “may be postponed until the new year”.

The Stray Ferret asked Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust whether any non-urgent appointments would be delayed as part of the booster vaccine programme.

In response, Dr Shepherd said:

“We are also reviewing our services to see what treatment we could potentially defer for a few weeks to provide more staff to the community vaccination programme.

“Currently we are not considering delays to surgery, urgent or cancer work. We will of course keep any disruption as minimal as possible and will contact any patients as soon as we can if their care is going to be deferred in any way.”

‘Tidal wave of Omicron’

News that the hospital will provide vaccines follows Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcement on Monday that every adult in Britain will be offered a booster jab by the end of December, as he warned there was a “tidal wave of Omicron coming”.

As part of the effort, the showground site has extended walk-in booster jabs until Christmas Eve.

The showground site, which is run by Yorkshire Health Network, a federation of the 17 GP practices in the Harrogate district, is also offering walk-in clinics for 12 to 18-year-olds from 2pm to 4pm tomorrow and 2pm to 4pm on Monday next week.

So far, 74,680 booster vaccines have been given in the Harrogate district, according to government figures.

Harrogate’s Valley Gardens to get monthly artisan markets

An artisan market is set to be held monthly in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens after the success of a festive event there this month.

Little Bird Artisan Markets will relocate to the sun colonnade in the gardens from February.

Little Bird Made, the company that runs the events, has held monthly markets at St Wilfrid’s Church on Duchy Road in Harrogate since the summer.

It plans to continue staging occasional pop-up markets at the church but its regular monthly events in Harrogate will move to the more central Valley Gardens.

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Harrogate Borough Council invited Little Bird Made to Valley Gardens to attract more visitors to the town at the start of the first Harrogate Christmas Fayre, which was held from December 3 to 12 in the streets of Harrogate town centre.

At the time, Cllr Andy Paraskos, cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said the council hoped that first event would lead to a longer-term relationship.

The two-day event in the first weekend of December hosted about 60 stalls and a steady stream of visitors.

Jackie Crozier, managing director of Little Bird Made, said it was one of the company’s busiest events so far. She said:

“We are really excited to be moving our monthly Little Bird Artisan Market to the bigger venue of Valley Gardens in the heart of the town from February 2022.

“Valley Gardens is the natural progression for Little Bird to expand and offer more opportunities for small local business and to promote our ethos of shopping local.

“It will be great to work with Harrogate Borough Council throughout 2022 and we are looking forward to delivering our events with them.”

When can you next visit Little Bird artisan markets in the Harrogate district?

Christmas Events: diary of festivities in the Harrogate district

Christmas is coming to the Harrogate district. The Stray Ferret has compiled a list of events from across the district so you don’t have to miss out on any festive fun.

Whether you want to meet Santa himself, visit a Christmas market or enjoy an evening of late-night shopping in Boroughbridge this list will tell you where to go.

The list runs in date order. We’ll be updating and re-posting it every day. If you want us to add an event get in touch at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Harrogate Father Christmas Experience

Where: The Crown Hotel, Harrogate

When: Between November 20 and December 24 (check for dates and times)

Tickets: Adults £9.50 and children (under 18) £12, plus a £1.75 booking fee

Knaresborough Christmas Tree Festival

Where: St John’s Church Knaresborough

When: Saturday, December 4 until December 23 

Church opening times: 12-5pm weekdays, 10-5pm Saturday and 1.30-5pm Sunday

Tickets: Free. No tickets are required but weekends are likely to be very busy and numbers in church will be limited. A one way system will be in operation and visitors may be required to queue outside the building

Washburn Heritage Centre Christmas Stall- RESCHEDULED

The Christmas market was initially planned for December 27 but was cancelled due to the bad weather. A Christmas Market stall has now been set up in the Tea Room.

Where: Washburn Heritage Centre

When: 11am to 4pm every Sunday from December 5

Tickets: Free to enter

Mackenzies Late Night Shopping

Where: Mackenzies Farm Shop and Café

When: 5pm to 7pm on Thursday, December 16

Tickets: Free to enter

Knaresborough’s Christmas Carol Pub Sing

Where: Half Moon Inn, Knaresborough

When: 3pm to 5pm on Sunday, December 19

Tickets: Free to enter

Mayor’s Christmas Carol Concert

Where: Royal Hall, Harrogate

When: 6pm on Thursday, December 23

Tickets: Free to enter but must be booked in advance via this link