Police cordon lifted after hand grenade discovered in Harrogate

A Harrogate street has returned to normality after bomb squad officers dealt with a hand grenade in a garden.

Police cordoned off three streets in Bilton after the discovery on Gordon Avenue, just off Bilton Lane, late this morning.

A bomb disposal unit from the Ministry of Defence rushed to the street, which is between Richard Taylor Church of England Primary School and Bilton Cricket Club.

The team departed at about 1.40pm and the police cordon was lifted and people allowed to return to their homes.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“An explosive device was found by a member of the public in their garden at a property on Gordon Avenue today.

“Police evacuated a small number of houses whilst the MOD made an assessment on the device.

“The MOD recovered the device and the cordon is now lifted.”

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A resident on Gordon Avenue told the Stray Ferret about the “mad moment” police knocked on their door.

The resident, who requested anonymity, was evacuated at around 12.30pm, said:

“This is obviously not something that happens everyday, it is quite mad really. Definitely rare for Harrogate.

“We saw that the police were on the street. The next minute the officers were knocking on my door.

“They said that they had called in the bomb squad because the neighbour had found a bomb.

“Not everyone was evacuated, just the residents who live quite close by. Police were quick to get people away.”

Police cordon off Harrogate streets after ‘bomb discovery’

Police have cordoned off three streets in Harrogate after a resident found what they believed to be an unexploded shell in their garden.

Bomb disposal unit from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) are currently on the scene.

A small number of houses have been evacuated in the area. There is currently a police cordon and scene guard on Gordon Avenue, Hall Lane and Bilton Lane.

Residents have been told to stay indoors and avoid the area if possible.

North Yorkshire Police have cordoned off Gordon Avenue.

North Yorkshire Police have cordoned off Gordon Avenue.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:

“It was found by a member of the public in their garden at a property on Gordon Avenue today.

“Police have evacuated a small number of houses whilst we await the arrival of the MOD to make an assessment on the device.

“A scene guard and cordon is currently in place on Gordon Avenue, Hall Lane and Bilton Lane.”

This is a breaking news story, which we will update as we gather more information. We have sent a reporter to the scene.

Harrogate Pine Marten pub closes for month-long refurbishment

A well known Harrogate pub and restaurant has closed for a month-long refurbishment.

The Pine Marten, on Otley Road near RHS Harlow Carr, closed today and is planning to open again on Saturday, October 30.

When it reopens in October the pub has promised that it will have a “glamorous” new look and feel with its own personality and style.

It will also bring a new feature bar, which will be at the centre of the social space.

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As well as a new feel for the pub, the owners have also developed a new menu inspired by food trends from across the world, including a new range of small plates.

The pub dates back to the 1820s when it was the original home of Robert Wigglesworth, who created the world’s largest telescope at the time.

The Stray Ferret approached owners Mitchells & Butlers for comment. The company declined to comment but said it would share more information closer to the reopening date.

Live: Harrogate district traffic and travel

A very good morning to you and welcome back once again to the traffic and travel blog. It’s Connor with you bright and early today, hoping to help you avoid any problems by road or rail.

Give me a call on 01423 276197 or get in touch on social media if you spot anything on the roads or are waiting for a delayed bus or train. Also let me know if you have any updates for our petrol stations.

The morning blogs are brought to you by The HACS Group.

9am – Full Update 

Thanks for checking out the traffic and travel blog this morning. I will be back from 6.30am tomorrow, heading over to the news desk now.

Petrol stations:

Roads

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8.30am – Full Update 

Petrol stations:

Roads

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

8am – Full Update 

Petrol stations:

Roads

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7.30am – Full Update 

Petrol stations:

Roads

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

7am – Full Update 

Petrol stations:

Roads

Otley Road is likely to be particularly busy as work has started on a new cycle route near Harlow Moor Road. Ripon Road near McCarthy’s Storage World is also likely to be busy with temporary lights in place.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

6:30am – Full Update 

Petrol stations:

Roads

Otley Road is likely to be particularly busy as work has started on a new cycle route near Harlow Moor Road. Ripon Road near McCarthy’s Storage World is also likely to be busy with temporary lights in place.

Road closures:

Temporary lights:

Trains

Buses

Harrogate MP criticises Dunlopillo housing plan

The MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough has weighed in on a plan to demolish the former Dunlopillo offices in Pannal to make way for apartments.

Otley-based developer Quattro Property Group has submitted the plans, which would see the 1961 office block replaced by 48 one-and two-bedroom apartments.

However, Andrew Jones has criticised the plan and said should not have been lodged under the permitted development rights, which the application has been made under.

The proposal has also proved controversial among some residents, one describing the plan as “awful”.

Mr Jones has written Harrogate Borough Council to call for a special planning committee to scrutinise the proposal.

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He has also written to communities secretary, Michael Gove, to ask for him to intervene “should the council’s local planning powers not be sufficient to enable full scrutiny of the application”.

Mr Jones said on his community news website:

“Permitted development rights are to enable positive development and apply in specific circumstances to achieve a specific goal.  I do not believe that these rights were introduced for the situation in respect of this development in a semi-rural location.

“Such a significant proposal should go through the normal planning process, be thoroughly appraised by council officers and scrutinised by the councillors at a committee meeting where the public can also have their say.”

The proposal would be split into two blocks, one with four storeys and another with six.

There would also be one car parking space per apartment plus additional spaces for visitors at the back of the building.

Planning consultants Johnson Mowat has submitted planning documents to Harrogate Borough Council on behalf of the developer that says the scheme would be an improvement on the current empty office block, which has been deteriorating for several years.

 It says:

“This site has been a blot on the landscape for far too long and we are looking forward to delivering a high quality building.”

The Stray Ferret approached Johnson Mowat for comment, but did not receive a response.

What is permitted development?

Permitted development means that a developer can apply for certain types of applications to go ahead without the need for planning permission.

The last major change to permitted development rights was in 2015, under the Conservative-Liberal Democrat government. However, many changes have since been made since 2020 in response to covid.

Developers can also apply for “prior approval” to carry out a development under permitted development, such as converting retail or office space into homes.

In this case, the developer will ask whether prior permission is required before proceeding with a proposal.

It can take between 28 and 56 days for a council to grant approval to an application.

Harrogate to get second Christmas market

A second Christmas market is to be staged in Harrogate on the first weekend of December.

Harrogate Borough Council said in a statement today it had agreed a partnership with Little Bird Made to hold a festive artisan market in Valley Gardens on December 4 and 5.

The statement added that subject to an acceptable event management plan, the artisan market will feature around 60 local traders and producers.

The stalls will sell a variety of festive arts and crafts, clothing, homeware, jewellery, as well as locally produced food and drink.

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It will accompany the new Harrogate Christmas Fayre, organised across town by Market Place Europe, which will run from December 3 until December 12.

The fayre will see 50 stalls erected in Cambridge Street, Market Place, Station Square and Cambridge Crescent.

Harrogate Borough Council is also working with Harrogate BID and North Yorkshire County Council on the fayre, which will take the place of the one traditionally held on Montpellier Hill.

‘Festive cheer’

Little Bird Made’s website says its markets offer a “diverse, quality, shopping experience that celebrates independent producers”.

Ripon resident Jackie Crozier, who set up Little Bird Made in 2018, said:

“I am delighted to be working with Harrogate Borough Council to bring an additional Christmas market to Harrogate this year.

“Our markets showcase some of Yorkshire’s finest small businesses and are a great opportunity to bring some festive cheer and buy that special gift for the holidays.

“We are always looking for new traders to join our growing portfolio of markets, so anyone looking for a stall should get in touch.”

Cllr Andy Paraskos, cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said:

“We’ve said for some time that we want to ensure festive cheer returns to Harrogate town centre this year and I’m delighted that Little Bird Made will complement Market Place Europe’s offering.

“They provide fantastic artisan markets that showcase the best home-grown traders and producers and I’m confident there will be something for everyone. I’m eager to see what will be on offer.

“Hopefully this leads to a longer-term relationship with Little Bird to deliver a monthly artisan market in the Valley Gardens in the future.”

18-month road closure order begins on Starbeck’s Bogs Lane

An 18-month closure order came into place on Bogs Lane in Starbeck today amid ongoing development work in the area.

The street, just off the main A59, is a busy residential area that has been affected by numerous new housing schemes.

Henshaws Specialist College, which has about 80 students with special educational needs and disabilities, is also based on Bogs Lane.

North Yorkshire County Council‘s roadworks map says the closure is for ‘carriageway works’ and is due to end on March 26, 2023.

The Stray Ferret understands residents and businesses will still able to get in and out of the road during the work but we were unable to get clarification from the council on precisely how often the road will be closed over the next year and a half.

With a similar 18-month closure order already in place on Kingsley Drive, locals are already used to dealing with road closures.

Barrie Mason, assistant director for highways and transportation at the county council, said in a statement:

“An 18-month order is processed should there be a need for multiple works on site, for example, surface dressing.

“An-18 month order also allows for changes in the programme if necessary. When the dates are confirmed they are published on our roadworks map.

“Wherever possible we alert residents and road users to roadworks in advance.”

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The road is often used as a cut-through by motorists to avoid tailbacks on the A59 so any closures over the months ahead could increase traffic on Knaresborough Road.

Follow our morning Traffic and Travel blogs for live updates on roadworks and delays. 

Fuel Watch: Which pumps are working across Harrogate district

Despite warnings from the government that there is no fuel shortage, drivers have been struggling to fill up cars across the Harrogate district.

As tankers arrive to refill stock at forecourts, the Stray Ferret has created this live blog to help people find petrol and diesel.

Have you just been to fill up? Help other drivers in need by letting us know what the situation is like at your local petrol station.

Send an email to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk with your reports and we will add them to this rolling coverage throughout the day.

6.40pm – Queues look to be calming down at petrol stations in Harrogate

Queues are short at the Esso garage on Skipton Road.

6.10pm – Update on Harrogate’s petrol stations

The BP filling station on Leeds Road in Pannal has shut all its pumps.

6pm – Queues building at Morrisons in Boroughbridge 

After a delivery of fuel earlier today, the queues have been continuous at Morrisons in Boroughbridge.

One of our Stray Ferret readers James has gone in touch to say queues are now five cars deep for the pumps.

5.20pm – Esso garage on Knaresborough Road receiving a fuel delivery tonight

A local taxi driver has got in touch with the Stray Ferret to say the Esso garage on Knaresborough Road, heading out of Starbeck, is without fuel.

The station, which also has a Tesco Express store, is expecting a fuel delivery this evening at 7pm.

Please keep getting in touch with your updates.

3.30pm – The fuel station picture across the district

Harrogate

Knaresborough

Boroughbridge

Pateley Bridge

Ripon

2.52pm – Tanker arrives in Boroughbridge

A tanker is replenishing fuel supplies at Morrisons in Boroughbridge. Traffic is already queueing to get in.

2.15pm – Fuel station situation across Harrogate

Our reporter has been out and about in Harrogate check on fuel stations across Harrogate.

2.05pm – Esso on Harrogate’s Wetherby Road serving fuel

The Esso station on Wetherby Road has fuel and our latest update says there is no queueing.

1.50pm – One pump only at Knaresborough forecourt

The Co-Op petrol station on Wetherby Road in Knaresborough currently has just one pump serving fuel at the moment.

1.30pm – Morrisons at Boroughbridge out of fuel

Morrisons at Boroughbridge is out of fuel. Let us know if it reopens and what the situation is like on forecourts elsewhere in the district.

12.15am – Fuel storage warning

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has warned drivers of the hazards of storing fuel in cars and at home.

The fire service released the advice after people were pictured over the weekend filling up containers across the UK.

“We would like to remind people to take extreme care when handling and storing fuels and to be aware of the risks associated with the incorrect use and storage.

“In homes fuel containers must not be stored in living accommodation such as kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms or under staircases.

“Any storage place should be well away from living areas and be secured to protect against the possibility of vandalism or arson.”

11.30am – Pateley Bridge low on fuel but set for delivery

The Dales Market Corner in Pateley Bridge has reported that it no longer selling diesel and only has a small amount of petrol left.

It has created a £30 petrol limit which the staff have said they will try to keep for local people after some “came from miles around in a panic over the weekend”.

Stacey Brookes, manager at the Dales Market Corner, posted on Facebook about the situation this morning.

After a “very difficult weekend” the petrol station is expecting delivery of diesel and petrol at 6am tomorrow. It should be ready for customers 30 minutes later.

10.30am – Ripon petrol stations open and ready for busy week

As dawn broke in Ripon this morning, the city’s three main petrol stations were open in readiness for the working week ahead.

There was a steady flow of motorists filling up their vehicles at the two Morrisons Esso stations on Harrogate Road and within the supermarket’s site.

Across Ripon, on North Street, the BP station at the Spar store was also busy from early on.

As motorists rushed to the pumps over the weekend, the Morrisons Supermarket station was temporarily closed on Sunday.

Tim Flanagan

 

Unison Harrogate rejects ‘derisory’ council staff pay offer

The Harrogate Borough Council branch of Unison has voted to reject a pay offer following a ballot with members.

The trade union held a ballot, which closed on Friday, over whether to accept a proposed increase of 1.75%. The offer followed a national consultation from the Local Government Association over a pay increase.

Unison officials described the offer as “derisory” and recommended members reject the proposal.

Of a turnout of 62% of its members, 74% voted to refuse the pay offer.

Dave Houlgate, Harrogate branch secretary of Unison, said it was “little surprise” that staff voted to reject the proposal.

He said:

“Staff are worn down after years of real-terms pay cuts and with inflation at nearly 4%. Despite this they’ve continued to go above and beyond during the pandemic in providing much needed services to support residents and businesses alike in the district.

“There has still been no formal public recognition for their efforts from the council but to be clear, Unison is in no doubt that council staff have been fantastic over the past 18 months or so and at the very least deserve a decent pay rise for once.”

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The Harrogate branch balloted borough council staff, while North Yorkshire Unison consulted with school staff.

The branch will now await the results from ballots across England and Wales before taking further steps, which could include industrial action.

Harrogate Borough Council have been approached for comment.

Harrogate dementia group reopens doors to new members

A wellbeing group offering support for people with dementia and their families is looking for new members as it reopens post-covid.

The group, based at St Luke’s Church in Harrogate, has been open for nearly five years and offers a space for anyone in the local community to come and meet friends and take part in activities.

Initially set up for families affected by dementia, the weekly group now hosts sessions for anyone wanting to make new friends.

The group had to stop during the pandemic for 17 months but reopened three weeks ago.

Before the pandemic around 35 people came each Thursday between 1-3pm but now it is only 15.

Group leaders Lizzy Turner and Victoria Amella are determined to get more people involved. They say the benefits to someone who may feel isolated can be huge.

Ms Turner said:

“The group look forward to coming each week, especially after the pandemic. A lot of our members are older so had to isolate so the group has been great to come back to.

“We want to grow it so more people can benefit from what we offer. We’re a great little group and have built some great friendships over the years.”

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The sessions are £2 and visitors will get soup and a cup of tea as well as the chance to take part in different activities.

As well as the usual domino games and arts and crafts, Ms Turner said visiting teachers also come to teach members music and chair yoga.