Metal fences to remain in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens until next year

The metal fencing around the pavilion in Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens will remain in place until the new year, North Yorkshire Council has confirmed.

The fencing was erected last month as a “temporary measure” to prevent a group of rough sleepers from occupying the building.

The group, which inhabited the pavilion for two weeks in September, returned twice after being dispersed by officials.

A spokesperson for the council told the Stray Ferret this morning:

“The fencing is a temporary measure, but will remain in place until the new year as a result of the Christmas ice rink going into the gardens this month.”

The ice rink, which was put up on Crescent Gardens for the first time last year, is part of a three-year Christmas activity licence introduced by the former Harrogate Borough Council.

In a report at the time, Kirsty Stewart, the council’s grounds and maintenance manager, said the festive licence “will generate a minimum income of £37,500 per year”.

A rose arch has been erected as part of the Crescent Gardens revamp.

This has helped to fund a £21,000 revamp of Crescent Gardens.

Last year, the pavilion was used as a makeshift boot room for ice skaters, however its use this year is uncertain following the recent update.

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Rose arch erected — but will Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens be renamed?

A rose arch has been erected in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens — but a decision on whether to rename the area has yet to be finalised.

Harrogate Borough Council, which was abolished in April, announced plans to re-landscape Crescent Gardens in February, shortly after it hosted an ice rink and funfair last Christmas.

The activities are due to return for a longer period this year and for the following two years.

A report at the time by Kirsty Stewart, the council’s parks and ground maintenance manager, said “we would like to take the opportunity to upgrade the area to enable better accommodation of future events with less disruption to the planting in this area”.

The report also proposed changing the name of the area to The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Garden as part of the £21,000 makeover, stating:

“A large plaque in the central bed to be relocated is dedicated to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. The plaque has recently been removed as it required repair.

“Given the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II, the relocation of the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother plaque and the sale of the Crescent Gardens building, we are proposing the gardens area is renamed as the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Gardens and would welcome cabinet members view on this.”

Although Harrogate Borough Council approved the recommendation, the Stray Ferret asked the successor authority North Yorkshire Council if the new name will be adopted.

Jonathan Clubb, head of parks and grounds at council, said:

“In February, the former Harrogate Borough Council agreed to look into whether the area of Crescent Gardens can be renamed the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Garden.

“There is a process we have to follow to apply for the naming and we will continue to pursue this.”

The steel rose arch, which will nurture climbing roses, has been installed along with flower beds as part of the re-landscaping, which used £10,000 of the budget.

The works were part of the ongoing management of Harrogate’s parks and grounds to maintain a vibrant, attractive location for residents and visitors, Mr Chubb added.

However, the nearby pavilion remains sealed off by fencing after it was recently used by a group of homeless people.

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Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens £21,000 makeover underway

Works to re-landscape Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens have begun.

Harrogate Borough Council, which was abolished in April, announced the revamp in February, shortly after the area hosted an ice rink and funfair last Christmas. The activities are due to return for a longer period this year.

A report at the time by Kirsty Stewart, the former council’s parks and ground maintenance manager, said “we would like to take the opportunity to upgrade the area to enable better accommodation of future events with less disruption to the planting in this area”.

It also added a three-year licence for the Christmas activities “will generate a minimum income of £37,500 per year.”

The report also said the area would be re-named The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Ground, but at the time of publication North Yorkshire Council had yet to confirm this will still happen.

Jonathan Clubb, the council’s head of parks and grounds, told the Stray Ferret:

“We are carrying out work as part of our ongoing management of Harrogate’s parks and grounds to maintain a vibrant, attractive location for residents and visitors.”

A steel rose arch will be installed today and climbing roses and flower beds will be planted in the coming weeks, Mr Clubb added.

The council also said the planting, which has cost £10,000, is part of the overall £21,000 budget that also included the costs of groundwork and materials.

This is the first redesign of Crescent Gardens since 1990, following the Gateshead Garden Festival, when the central glass structured was erected.

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Metal fencing to remain indefinitely in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens

Metal fencing looks set to remain outside a Harrogate town centre attraction indefinitely.

The fencing was erected across the entrance of the pavilion in Crescent Gardens on Friday last week to block a group of rough sleepers.

The group had occupied the pavilion for two weeks and returned twice after being dispersed.

The fencing has now been in place for five days and nearby residents, who complained of anti-social behaviour during the encampment, are keen to know what long-term measures are being taken to deal with the situation.

There are also concerns about how long the pavilion will be out of bounds from the public as well as the fencing creating an eyesore in the middle of Harrogate.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council, which worked with North Yorkshire Police to disperse the encampment, how long the fencing was expected to remain in place.

A council spokesperson did not give a date but said:

“The fencing was put in place as a temporary measure in response to the issues.  Any decision to remove the fencing will be made in partnership with all agencies working on this matter.”

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The spokesperson said no legal powers were used to move on the rough sleepers, who had turned down offers of accommodation.

They added:

“We followed our unauthorised camper procedure, and following discussions with those in situ they voluntarily cleared the site and moved location.”

Asked what other measures it was taking, besides the fencing, to deal with the situation, the spokesperson said:

“There is a multi-agency approach to this with regular meetings – the situation is being monitored.”

 

Metal fences put up around Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens pavilion

Metal fences have been put up to prevent people entering the pavilion in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens.

The fences, which appeared this morning, were erected following a two-week occupation of the pavilion by a group of rough sleepers this month.

The group set up camp in the pavilion and have returned at least twice since they were dispersed last Friday in an operation carried out by North Yorkshire Council and North Yorkshire Police

The encampment led nearby residents to express concerns about anti-social behaviour and a lack of action from the council and police.

The pavilion encampment

How it looks this morning.

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The group returned to the pavilion on Sunday evening and again on Tuesday morning — but were removed again both times.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council earlier this week what legal powers it used to disperse the people in the pavilion and what action it planned to take to prevent repeat occupations but has not yet received a response.

Rough sleepers return to Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens

A group of rough sleepers has repeatedly returned to Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens – just days after being moved on.

The group’s two-week occupation of the pavilion in the gardens sparked concerns about anti-social-behaviour.

It was finally dispersed by North Yorkshire Council and North Yorkshire Police on Friday last week.

However, the group returned on Sunday evening — and again this morning.

Nearby resident Kirk Wilber-Moran said:

“They came back Sunday night but were moved on early yesterday morning.

“However, they came back again this morning and not just in the bandstand — three were stood in an empty shop doorway drinking cider at 6.45am this morning.

“There’s roughly 10 people, some I have seen previously but some new faces too. They’ve not managed to establish a full set-up like before.”

The rough sleepers were removed again this morning.

The Stray Ferret first reported the encampment two weeks ago after residents raised concerns about anti-social behaviour and a lack of action from the council and police.

Following the move-on operation, residents also wanted to know what measures would be taken to resolve similar situations in the future.

The Stray Ferret has asked the council what measures it has taken to prevent repeat occupations.

Andrew Rowe, the council’s assistant director of housing, said this morning:

“We worked with the police last week to ensure that advice and support was offered to all the individuals who were congregating in the Crescent Gardens.

“It’s important to note that not all of these individuals are homeless or rough sleepers, however, offers of support and accommodation were made to all those who needed it. We understand that despite being encouraged to move on by the police a number of people have returned to the area.

“We will continue to work with all agencies to find solutions to this issue.”

North Yorkshire Police declined to add to a statement it gave last week, which described the situation as “complex” and said it was working with partners and residents to find a solution for everyone.

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Rough sleepers evicted from Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens

A group of rough sleepers in Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens has been evicted this morning after occupying the pavilion for two weeks.

Representatives from North Yorkshire Council‘s property services division and North Yorkshire Police began the move-on operation just before 9am this morning.

The council also brought a van to gather the rough sleepers’ belongings.

One nearby resident, who asked not to be named, said some people started arguing with the council after they were told to disperse but there was no violence.

He added:

“One or two sleepers appeared frustrated and declined to cooperate, but they eventually started packing and leaving from 9.15am.

“The police were present to ensure the operation was non-violent.”

The operation ended at approximately 9.40am.

Larger items, such as mattresses, were removed by the council.

The Stray Ferret first reported the encampment after nearby residents raised concerns about anti-social behaviour last week.

One of those residents, Eileen Dockray, said after today’s developments:

“I’m now concerned that the police and the council, who both tried to pass this problem back and forth between each other, should now come together and work out who’s responsible for dealing with this sort of problem in the future.

“We, the public, also need to know who we can go to for help when a situation like this arises again, as it surely will.”

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No resolution in sight for rough sleeping den in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens

The occupation of the pavilion in Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens by a group of rough sleepers shows no sign of ending.

The rough sleepers, who have refused offers of accommodation, have been living in the pavilion for 12 days.

The Stray Ferret first reported concerns about anti-social behaviour last week.

Nearby residents continue to express frustration while police and council officers say resolving the situation is complex.

North Yorkshire Council told the Stray Ferret last week the people in the pavilion had been “offered accommodation daily”.

In an update yesterday, Andrew Rowe, the council’s assistant director for housing, said:

“We continue to work with our partners to tackle this complicated issue.”

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police, which had not previously commented, said:

“Local officers and PCSOs have attended the location regularly and will continue to engage with the individuals going forward.

“Homelessness is a complex issue that requires the input of a number of local partners to resolve.

“We are committed to working jointly with partners, local businesses, and residents to find a solution for everyone involved.”

Nearby residents remain frustrated by the apparent stalemate.

Kirk Wilber-Moran, who wrote a letter to us expressing his concern last weekend, said this morning:

“Whilst the amount of people there has reduced the armoury of belongings and/or rubbish has doubled, if not tripled, since the weekend.

“We still have people using the bandstand as a hangout base to congregate and drink and are there into the late evening. Still lots of noise and yesterday a woman aggressively shouting at people walking through the gardens.

“Nothing seems to be happening and no one seems to care as it’s not on their doorstep.”

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Reader’s Letter: Who does have the power to tackle rough sleeping camp near Crescent Gardens?

This email letter was sent to the Stray Ferret following our story yesterday: Crescent Gardens rough sleepers offered accommodation ‘daily’, council says. 

Mr Kirk Wilber-Moran has also circulated his letter to his MP, Andrew Jones, North Yorkshire Council leader, Carl Les , The Harrogate Homeless Project and North Yorkshire Police.  

Dear all,
I am writing to you in connection, as you can imagine, to the rough sleeping compound that has been created and allowed to continue over the last week in the (former) band stand in Crescent Gardens, as I am sure many local residents have.
Now, I do appreciate that homelessness exists, often through no fault of that person, that said what I am witnessing is unacceptable on several different levels.
Over the past few months, I have made several reports to the council and completed a police report in relation to this situation that we find ourselves in.
Over the last few days, I have witnessed drinking, drug taking, fires, public urination and some rather unsightly behaviour and believe me, I am no prude.
If you haven’t yet visited the sight, it really is quite an impressive set up with a double mattress (with bedding), a makes shift/travel wardrobe, chairs, cooking equipment, lighting, there was even curtain hung at one point…. and more liquor than Cold Bath Brewery.
Living so close we are unable to open our living room windows, especially in the evening due to shouting, swearing and often in coherent noise. If you leave the building by car, you have to dodge people half-drunk crossing the road on their way back from the latest ‘booze run’ or risk a middle finger and colourful language aimed your way.
I do understand that when someone is homeless that they have to find somewhere is that warm and dry however, what is being done to support them and find them more suitable accommodation?
Having read Flora Grafton’s article in the Stray Ferret, in which in states that neither the police nor the council have the power to do anything, I would like to know who does? I find astounding that resident’s day to day lives are expected to change, we can no longer feel safe walking through the gardens for the fear of being shouted at or coming face to face with someone who is so far gone on drink and/or drugs they have forgotten how to walk.
As a town we have a large tourist industry and one of the great things about coming to Harrogate is the free walking tour operated by Harry, the fact this has now changed route to avoid the area is just beyond words.
It is very easy for all of us to sit in our warms homes or offices passing blame, passing judgement and saying ‘it’s not my job’ but who’s job, is it? Who is going to take a stand and do something?
This is a very real situation that needs not just addressing but real action taking for both residents and our new neighbours.
I look forward to your thoughts.
Kind regards
Kirk Wilber-Moran

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Crescent Gardens rough sleepers offered accommodation ‘daily’, council says

North Yorkshire Council has said it has provided a group of rough sleepers in Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens with daily offers of accommodation.

The group, which it is claimed contains up to 10 people at various times, took over the pavilion near the public toilets a week ago.

The Stray Ferret reported yesterday anti-social behaviour concerns among nearby residents.

One resident, Eileen Dockray, said she had reported the group to both the council and North Yorkshire Police on Tuesday but was passed between the two.

Andrew Rowe, the council’s assistant director for housing, yesterday said:

“We are aware of a group of people sleeping rough in this area and have been engaging with them daily with offers of accommodation made to them all.

“In the evening there is a larger congregation but those visiting the site are not homeless.

“A multi-agency meeting takes place weekly and this site is on the agenda for actions by everyone involved. Reports from the public of anti-social behaviour have been minimal, but it is important that we are notified to enable the police to pursue any appropriate actions needed.”

The pavilion has been used by rough sleepers for a week.

Mr Rowe added:

“The council is committed to its work with rough sleepers in the county and will continue to engage with this group, in an attempt to secure a suitable housing outcome.

“The area is monitored by our community safety team and any issues of an anti-social nature should be referred to the police.”

One resident from the nearby Grosvenor Buildings, who asked not to be named, said this morning the group were “talking, yelling and laughing” between 3am and 4am this morning.

The resident added:

“It has been like this for a few days. They are occupying a central public space, depriving residents of its use and causing day-to-day nuisances to the neighbourhood.

“I called the police and was told it is a council issue.

“A few residents in my building are also frustrated by the lack of action from any authority to remove the encampment.

“This Crescent Gardens pavilion attracted a few entrenched homeless people before and now even a large group — over 10 during certain times — so should be identified as a ‘vulnerable site’.”

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