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26
May 2021
Harrogate council threatens vicar with criminal charges in planning row
Harrogate Borough Council has threatened a vicar with criminal charges in a planning row over a stone plaque at a church near Pateley Bridge.
Reverend Darryl Hall became embroiled in the dispute after parishioner and builder Carl Foxton made the plaque, along with several others for sites across the Harrogate district.
Mr Foxton, who is in his late 70s, made this latest plaque to welcome people to Bewerley Grange Chapel, which was built by Marmaduke Huby, the abbot of Fountains Abbey from 1495-1526
Mr Foxton's work can be found attached to the wall outside the church, which is a listed building.
Revd Hall believes the wall is not part of the listed structure of the church and therefore the plaque should stay but the council disagrees.
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Andrew Lancashire, the council's planning enforcement officer, has written to Revd Hall requesting the plaque's removal. Mr Lancashire wrote:
The letter goes on to give the vicar until May 31 to respond, otherwise the council has said it will be forced to take formal action.
Revd Hall, who is the Dales Vicar in Upper Nidderdale, told the Stray Ferret:
A Harrogate Borough Council spokesperson said:
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