Developer challenges Nidderdale solar panels ‘visual harm’ claim

A developer has appealed a decision to refuse the installation of 30 solar panels at a farm in Nidderdale over “visual harm” concerns.

John Adams submitted the proposal for Gillbeck Farm on Peat Lane at Bewerley to Harrogate Borough Council in September 2022.

It would have seen 30 panels installed in order to “maximise the use of renewable energy sources”.

However, the authority rejected the proposal on the grounds that it would cause “visual harm and have a negative impact on the landscape and the character of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”.

It added:

“The solar panels will dominate the landscape and become a very prominent feature within it, in a negative and unacceptable manner.”

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Mr Adams, who owns the farm, has since taken the case to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which deals with planning appeals.

In a statement to the inspector, Mr Adams argued that the land would not be not visible to passers by and that Peat Lane was “infrequently” used by cars, walkers and cyclists.

He said:

“We respectfully disagree with Harrogate Borough Council in that we do not believe that ground mounted panels would be visually offensive to the small number of passing public, given our now clear collective responsibility to cut the use of fossil fuels and move towards reliance on renewable and sustainable energy sources.”

Bewerley Parish Council made no objection to the scheme.

A government planning inspector will make a decision on the appeal at a later date.

It comes as the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority questioned whether it needed to do more to tackle climate change.

The authority, which covers part of Nidderdale, revealed at a meeting in September 2022 that the carbon footprint of the residents of the national park was estimated to be around 18% higher than the UK average.

MP calls for clarity over Scotton solar farm plan

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones has called for clarity over a planned 88-hectare solar farm on farmland north of Scotton.

Sustainable energy company Gridserve is proposing to build the power plant and substation at Lawrence Moor Farm.

Its plans envisage thousands of solar panels generating up to 49.9 megawatts of green energy that could power up to 14,000 homes.

However, Mr Jones has called for clarity over the plans after the proposals have yet to be finalised.

The Conservative MP was prompted to write to the company in March after residents in Scotton, Farnham and Brearton contacted him concerned about the lack of information about the proposals.

Mr Jones wrote to Gridserve, which is headquartered in Buckinghamshire, to ask for an update, but was told there had not been “any material update to the status of our potential development in Scotton”.

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At the end of July 2021, Harrogate Borough Council confirmed that a detailed EIA would be required, but Gridserve has taken no action since.

Now, Mr Jones has called on the company to decide whether it wishes to continue with the proposal.

Andrew Jones

He said:

“People in the area need certainty on what is happening with this proposal. I want Gridserve to bring them that certainty sooner rather than later. 

“All that we really know about the proposal is that it covers a massive area and will dominate the landscape. 

“Surely after all this time Gridserve can decide whether it wishes to proceed and, if it does, get a formal planning application in so that its merits and otherwise can be properly debated.”

Plan for 50 new homes near Cattal station

A plan has been submitted to build 50 homes near to Cattal station.

London-based Ptarmigan Land North has submitted the proposal to North Yorkshire Council for land south of the station.

It would see 50 homes built, including public open space and potential connections to the railway.

The land near to the station is not included in wider proposals for at least 3,000 homes in the area, known as Maltkiln.

However, the developers said the site could be influenced by the project in terms of appearance.

In documents submitted to the council, the developer said:

“The focus of the proposal is to create a sustainable development within the heart of the new settlement. 

“People and vehicles can easily access all areas of the proposal and make good connections to nearby roads and services. Importantly the proposal includes a potential pedestrian link to the station to the north and potential pedestrian link to the south of the site.

“It has attractive features including a series of arrival spaces and a large area of open space. 

“The proposal has opportunity to create areas for the benefit of biodiversity and generate new habitats. 

“The proposal does not prejudice future development of surrounding spaces. Potential connections to future development could be provided.”

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

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North Yorkshire councillors voice frustration at 20 year delay to food waste collection service

North Yorkshire Councillors have voiced frustration at proposals to delay the introduction of a separate food waste collection service for another 20 years.

The delay has happened due to the government’s failure to state how much funding it would give the service.

Several members of the council’s executive underlined that the recommendation to delay the service until up to 2043 did not reflect their determination to rapidly reduce carbon emissions.

The urgent calls for government action appear to mark a significant shift in policy for the authority. Four years ago its leadership stated it was opposed to the introduction of a separate food waste collection service.

In 2019 the council stated it did not support the separate collections as it already recovered organic matter from residual waste at the county’s Allerton Park energy-from-waste plant in a “very cost-effective way”.

When a year later, the government committed to rolling out separate household food waste collection across the country by 2023, 51% of local authorities already collected food waste separately.

A meeting of the council’s current executive heard how separate collections could realise up to a 3,300-tonne reduction in carbon emissions a year compared to the current arrangements.

By collecting food waste separately, the council could increase the amount that can be converted into green electricity using an anaerobic digester. The delay would mean the carbon equivalent of an extra 18 million kilometres of diesel car emissions every year.

Although the council has effectively been given consent by Whitehall mandarins to delay implementing one of its flagship carbon cutting schemes due to its waste disposal contract running until 2043, the authority’s executive members said they wanted the service launched long before that “backstop position”.

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However, officers told the meeting the council had received “no further clarity” over government funding for introducing the new food waste collection service, saying the authority faced a bill of anything up to £6.4m annually.

Climate change boss Cllr Greg White said while council wanted to launch the separate collections with a county-wide overhaul of bin collections in 2027, it faced “very significant additional costs” over the separate food waste service.

He said: 

“Three thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide saved is huge, significant and something we want to do, but we can’t do that – with the best will in the world – if we don’t know what it’s going to cost us and at the moment we haven’t got sufficient clarity from the government.”

Other executive members said the authority, which is already facing having to cut a 30m annual deficit, needed “crystal clear” figures from the government before it could launch separate food collections and emphasised they had been left facing a choice of cutting carbon or funding other council services.

Cllr Simon Myers said: 

“As a responsible executive what we can’t do is take a decision when we don’t know the financial consequences for our residents at a time when there are financial pressures anyway.”

Newby Hall plans solar panel scheme to generate renewable energy

Newby Hall Estate near Ripon has tabled plans for a solar panel scheme to help generate renewable energy.

In proposals submitted to North Yorkshire Council, the estate has earmarked arable land outside the historic park and gardens for the project.

It would see four rows of solar panels installed which would generate 142,145kW hours per annum.

The estate estimates that the scheme could save 28.5 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.

In documents submitted to the council, Carter Jonas, which is acting on behalf of Newby Hall, said the proposal was designed to complement the estate’s existing hydroelectric scheme in the River Ure.

It said:

“The proposed solar scheme is designed so that when the hydroelectric scheme isn’t generating as much energy in the summer, the solar panels will provide an additional renewable supply. 

“During summer, the water levels in the river typically reduced, meaning sometimes the hydro scheme does not run at all – this season is when the demand for the visitor attraction peaks and therefore the generation profile from solar will complement the hydroelectric scheme.”

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

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Harrogate College sets 2035 carbon neutral target

Harrogate College has pledged to become net zero by 2035.

The college, which is based on Hornbeam Park, has made the commitment as part of Luminate Education Group’s drive to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

It aims to reduce its carbon footprint by building a new campus building in Harrogate, which will include energy-efficient, electric-based heating systems.

The college has also pledged to publish annual updates on its progress towards net zero.

Danny Wild, principal at Harrogate College, said:

“Climate change and ecological destruction are some of the biggest challenges of our time and education providers, like all institutions, have a responsibility to play their part by cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

“The government’s target for the UK to reach net zero is 2050, but here at Harrogate College we’re aiming to do so much sooner.”

He added:

“Key to achieving this will be the £20m project we have lined up to replace our campus building at Harrogate. This will allow us to build a sustainable, purpose-built facility, focused on technical and vocational education, that will incorporate energy-efficient, electric-based heating systems.

“We are also recycling materials as much as possible across every single one of our courses, while looking into ways of generating our own energy and introducing a sustainable travel plan.”

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The pledge comes as the college was awarded £16 million from the government to replace its main building on Hornbeam Park.

It means the Harrogate district will get a new a purpose-built space for technical and vocational education.

The new energy-efficient building will include a workshop providing facilities aligned to industry needs. It will complement the college’s existing tech centre, which is home to its motor vehicle, electrical, joinery and welding workshops.

An existing £4 million budget will be used to pay for the demolition of the old college building.

Bacteria linked to sewage at ‘concerningly high’ levels in River Nidd

Recent testing of water pollution in the River Nidd has shown the harmful bacteria E. coli is at ‘concerningly high’ levels.

The testing is taking place to support a campaign to clean up the river so a section of it can eventually be designated Bathing Water Status.

This would mean people could enjoy wild swimming in the river by the Knaresborough Lido caravan park without falling ill.

Currently in England, only two rivers, including a section of the River Wharfe in Ilkley, have achieved the status.

Scientists say E. coli in water is a strong indicator of sewage or animal waste contamination and consuming it can lead to severe illness.

Last week in the House of Commons, MPs said raw sewage and micro plastics in the UK’s rivers were putting health and nature at risk.

The campaign in the Harrogate district is gathering momentum and is being led by Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, who secured a debate on the topic in Parliament in November.

Anglers and other concerned groups have set up Nidd Action Group and a meeting was held in Knaresborough this week about how to clean up the river.

A cross-party working group of councillors has also formed to help tackle the problem.

Cllr Monika Slater, Liberal Democrat councillor for Bilton Grange and New Park, updated councillors at North Yorkshire County Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee today about how the campaign is going.

She said several councillors attended the Nidd Action Group meeting, adding: 

“It was a really good turnout. There’s a lot of community support and estimates are around 70 people attended.”

Cllr Slater said anglers as well as scientists at the University of Leeds are testing the river once a month for pollutants and have found that E. coli is at “concerningly high” levels.

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Testing will be increased to every fortnight from May 15, which is the beginning of the bathing season.

Earlier in the meeting, councillors heard from Sarah Robinson, corporate affairs advisor at Yorkshire Water.

Ms Robinson gave details about the scale of the problem in the Nidd and what the company is doing to improve its infrastructure.

Water companies are allowed to release sewage into rivers when the sewerage system is at risk of being overwhelmed, such as during heavy rainfall, through what are called storm overflows.

Ms Robinson said Yorkshire Water had 2,221 storm overflows during 2022 — a figure that is down slightly on last year’s number.

She said the company is set to spend up to £39 million by the end of the decade to improve its infrastructure in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

Ms Robinson added:

“We’ve got a long way to go before we’re up to the standard our customers expect.

“We will work out where best to spend our money to reduce our impact and spill less. That process is ongoing. The goal is to reduce the average spills by 20% by 2025.”

Business Breakfast: Small indies to pop up on Harrogate high street

It’s time to join the Stray Ferret Business Club!

The second in our series of networking events in association with The Coach and Horses in Harrogate is an After Work Drinks event on February 23 from 5.30pm. Don’t miss out on this chance to network with businesses from across the Harrogate district, get your tickets now by clicking or tapping here.

Harrogate’s initiative to give more independent retailers a spot on the high street will see a clutch of new names take over a unit in the Victoria Centre this spring. 

Harrogate Pop Up, on the corner of Cambridge Street and Station Parade, was first made available for short-term rent by retail property agent Barker Proudlove in autumn 2021. 

Jessica Swain, from Barker Proudlove, helped set up the pop-up shop. She said: 

“It is fantastic to see the pop-up shop so heavily in demand. Harrogate has such a diverse mix of businesses already and we hope those businesses popping up with us will see a space for them to be part of this community permanently after their pop-up ends.”

This year’s spring line-up includes Beauchamp Accessories, Bamboo Beautiful, Headlock Vintage, We Got U Covered and Martha and Bea:

Beauchamp Accessories, a York firm specialising in Italian leather handbags, will fill the space during February and April, following a series of successful pop-ups in the space in 2022. 

Bamboo Beautiful, which sells sustainable bamboo products including homeware and gifts, will occupy the unit from the March 13 for one week. 

Headlock Vintage will be selling its range of vintage and “preloved” clothing from March 27. 

We Got U Covered returns to the space from the April 10, offering its range of swimsuits, clothing and holiday supplies. 

Martha and Bea will return from the April 17, to transform the space into a boutique of ladies clothing and accessories. 

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Free eco-friendly building course in Harrogate

Harrogate College is hosting a free course where construction business can find out how to build energy-efficient buildings.

Passive House for Construction Professionals and Management is a four-week, one-day-a-week training programme, funded by the government.

The course will start on Tuesday, March 7.

‘Passive houses’ are eco-friendly houses built to be extremely energy efficient. They are designed to remain at an almost constant temperature, reducing bills and emissions.

Passive house in construction

The course is run by Leeds-based passive house manufacturers Pure Haus, who are going to build a mini example-house in the college grounds.

Kevin Pratt, director of Pure Haus, said:

“We’re looking forward to installing a ‘mini pure haus’ at the college… It will be a real eye-opener for students and help educate them about how we need to build homes to play our part in tackling climate change.”

Harrogate college is aiming to achieve carbon zero status by 2035, and is planning a variety of environmentally-focused events for March, which is its Green Month.

Events include a free talk on retrofitting your home on March 16.

Harrogate College principal Danny Wild said:

“It is such practices that we all need to adopt, as organisations and individuals, if we are to make real change, reduce our collective carbon footprint and, of course, save money.”

Rudding Park installs 12 new electric vehicle charging points

Rudding Park in Harrogate has commissioned 12 new electric vehicle charging points as part of a £50,000 investment.

The charging points will be available to the public and will be powered from the Rudding Park Energy Centre.

The hotel and spa teamed up with Yorkshire-based Utley-EV in order to design and install the facilities.

Managers at the hotel and spa said they intend to increase the number of charging points at the site in order to accommodate drivers of electric vehicles.

Matthew Mackaness, Rudding Park director said: 

“As a responsible business it is vital we do our bit and ensure the environment is at the heart of all business decisions.

“The way to give people confidence to switch to electric is to increase the provision of chargers across the district.

“We are therefore delighted to welcome Harrogate residents and visitors to use our EV chargers.”

Mr Mackaness added that the charging points can be activated on a “tap and go” basis, rather than drivers requiring a mobile app to use the facilities.

Meanwhile, Adam Utley, director Utley-EV said:

“As an independent local business like Rudding Park, we are pleased to support them with their EV charge point design and installation roll out and look forward to working with them in the future.”

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North Yorkshire County Council rejects calls to brand fracking as ‘inappropriate’

The leadership of North Yorkshire County Council has rejected calls to label fracking as “inappropriate”.

The council’s Conservative-led executive said it would not support Liberal Democrat and Green motions to declare hydraulic fracturing as inappropriate in the county, despite the council having declared a climate emergency and pushing forward plans to reduce carbon.

While the authority’s leaders have pointed towards Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reimposing the government’s ban on fracking which was last year lifted by Liz Truss, opposition councillors have claimed the moratorium could be ended again.

The recommendation to a full meeting of the authority later this month comes three years after Third Energy announced it would not use planning consent for the hydraulic fracturing of rock to extract gas in Ryedale which the council’s planning committee granted it, triggering a huge and sustained outcry.

The planning decision in 2016 lead to hundreds of thousands of pounds of North Yorkshire taxpayers money being spent on policing protests outside the Kirby Misperton site.

A meeting of the executive heard opposition members implore the authority to show leadership over climate change policies and agree that fracking, which was “the most polluting fossil fuel extraction” was incompatible with its ambition to be part of the country’s first carbon negative region.

Green councillor Arnold Warneken, who represents Ouseburn, said the motions simply looked to reinforce the council’s policies over fracking.

He said: 

“In this case we are not discussing the rights and wrongs of what we allow in our county, we are talking about saving our very existence.

“If we are going to ask all those third parties who are the major contributors to carbon emissions in this county to take us seriously, we can send strong messages out to tell them that we believe fracking is inappropriate.”

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However, the authority’s top legal officer, Barry Khan, advised the executive that approving the motion could leave councillors open to accusations of pre-determining potential hydraulic fracturing planning applications, which in turn could undermine the council’s ability to decide on schemes.

He said the Localism Act stated councillors could not be accused of pre-determining a proposal solely on the basis of something they had previously stated and while some other councils may have taken “a more liberal view” of the legislation he believed a cautionary approach was right.

Mr Khan said approving the motion would create “an element of risk” that was unnecessary given that the council had already set out its positions in its Minerals and Waste Plan.

Cllr Simon Myers, whose executive portfolio includes planning, said those pushing the motions risked having decisions taken out of the hands of locally elected councillors and given to government inspectors instead.

The authority’s opposition leader Cllr Bryn Griffiths highlighted how neighbouring East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which also has significant amounts of its jurisdiction under oil and gas exploration licences, had recently passed a similar policy opposing fracking.

The Liberal Democrat said councils had set out their belief that fracking was environmentally-damaging without raising issues over pre-determination.

Green councillor Andy Brown added it was quite reasonable for a councillor to take a political position on fracking as well as sit on a planning committee and consider evidence about whether the proposal would be environmentally damaging.