Plan to expand Bishop Monkton caravan site

Proposals have been submitted to expand a caravan park at Bishop Monkton, near Ripon, by 31 caravans.

The plan, submitted by ELG Planning on behalf of the site owners, would see the Church Farm Caravan Park on Knaresborough Road in the village expanded.

The proposals seek to change the use of land to the south of the site to make space for 31 static caravans.

It would also see an existing farm building demolished to make way for a two-storey reception building, small shop and manager accommodation.

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In documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, the developer said:

“As illustrated by the site layout, the proposed development layout represents an attractive form of development, which compliments the existing caravan park and respects the existing public right of way which runs through the site.”

The developer added that the aim of the proposal was to create a “a high-quality form of tourist accommodation that will complement the existing caravan park”.

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

Government rejects £6m levelling up bid for Ripon and Masham

A £6 million bid for government funding for regeneration projects in Ripon, Masham and Skipton has been rejected.

Harrogate Borough Council and Craven District Council made the joint submission for “high-quality place-making, improved cultural and community assets, and improved sustainable connectivity” across the three areas.

However, the authorities were dealt a setback when the government announced during its budget last week that the bid had been unsuccessful.

A joint statement from the councils said: 

“We’re very disappointed to hear that the joint bid between Craven District Council and Harrogate Borough Council in the government’s Levelling Up Fund has been unsuccessful.

“The Levelling Up Fund is a competitive process and sadly only a small proportion of priority three areas – which we were identified as – received funding in round one.

“There also appears to be no areas in North Yorkshire that have received funding.”

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More than 100 bids around the UK have been awarded a combined total of £1.7 billion from the fund, with another £3.1 billion to be awarded after the next application window opens in 2022.

£187 million awarded in Yorkshire

In Yorkshire, around £187 million was secured by councils for 10 projects, including a major waterfront extension in Doncaster and a refurbishment of Halifax Swimming Pool.

The cash will be used to improve transport connections across west Leeds and to help convert a derelict site in Wakefield into a new museum and art gallery.

The funding is said to be targeted at areas in the greatest need and for investing in “infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centres and high streets, upgrading local transport, and investing in cultural and heritage assets”.

The joint bid from Harrogate Borough Council and Craven District Council required an approval from Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith.

If approved, match funding from the private sector would have seen the total cost of the regeneration projects climb to £8.8 million.

The joint statement from the councils continued: 

“We are grateful to all the organisations who supported the bid, which would have delivered a wide range of regeneration projects across Skipton, Masham and Ripon.

“We still believe that there is a strong case for investment and we will continue to work with partners to try and bring these schemes forward in the future.”

Plan to convert Hampsthwaite surgery rejected

Plans to convert a former Hampsthwaite doctors’ surgery into a house have been rejected.

Dr Bannatyne and Partners, which was based at Winksey Cottage, High Street, in the village closed in March.

The surgery was part of Church Avenue Medical Group and shut down after practitioners felt the cottage was no longer a viable place for a medical practice.

Mozaffar Mari, a developer who bought the property, submitted plans to Harrogate Borough Council to convert the building into a house.

However, the borough council has refused the proposal on the grounds that Mr Mari had not demonstrated that the site had been empty for more than three months.

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In a decision notice, the council said:

“It has not been demonstrated that the building has been vacant for a continuous period of at least three months immediately prior to the date of the application for prior approval.”

The developer said in an application to the council that the building had been previously used as a house before becoming a surgery and could be “readily converted back” into a home.

Knaresborough caravan park extension plan withdrawn

Developers behind plans for an extension of a caravan park in Knaresborough have withdrawn the proposal.

The proposal by Lido Leisure Parks would have seen the Low Bridge Holiday Park, Abbey Road, expanded with a further 28 caravans.

Documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council say the plan would have seen the development built on Orchard Cliffs on Briggate.

As well as the holiday lodges, car parking and access were also included in the application.

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However, residents wrote the borough council to raise concern over increased traffic, impact on amenities and damage to wildlife.

The site layout for the caravan park in Knaresborough as submitted to Harrogate Borough Council.

The current holiday park includes 36 privately owned static caravans.

The developer said in its plans that the site would be a “valuable investment” in the town.

In documents submitted to then authority, it said:

“Detailed and careful consideration has been given to the proposals. The proposals create a development that not only respects the site and its surroundings but also provides a high quality and well considered place to live and holiday.

“The proposal will be a valuable investment in the town’s tourism offer.”

Harrogate businesses set for crunch talks on £10.9m Station Gateway

Transport chief Don Mackenzie has agreed to meet sceptical Harrogate businesses for crunch talks about the £10.9 million Station Gateway project.

Many firms in Harrogate have deep reservations about the scheme, which aims to make the town centre more attractive and encourage cycling and walking.

Some fear a reduction in parking spaces, the part-pedestrianisation of James Street and potentially a year of major road works would damage businesses already struggling to recover from covid.

One recent survey of businesses, which received 180 responses, revealed 72% were against reducing the A61 from Cheltenham Mount to Station Bridge to a single lane, which is one of the most controversial aspects of the scheme,

Cllr Mackenzie, the executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, which is leading on the scheme, has agreed to take part in a question-and-answer session at Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce’s next monthly meeting at the Cedar Court Hotel on November 8,

Phil Ireland, cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability at Harrogate Borough Council, which also supports the gateway initiative, will also participate.

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Members of the project team will give a presentation before chamber members get the chance to quiz them on issues such as what assessments have been made of the likely impact on the town’s economy.

David Simister, chief executive of the chamber, said:

“Our meeting will hopefully put businesses fully in the picture about the Harrogate Station Gateway Project, and the implications for them and their customers.

“I must stress this is a business meeting and open to our members, those in the Harrogate BID area, as well as members of Independent Harrogate.

Those planning to attend the meeting must register their interest in advance on the chamber website.

What is the Harrogate Station Gateway?

The Harrogate scheme is one of three projects worth a combined £42m in Harrogate, Skipton and Selby funded by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which encourages cycling and walking.

They are being delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Craven District Council and Selby District Council.

A consultation is currently taking place on the revised designs. It is anticipated that work in Harrogate will begin by the middle of next year.

Harrogate council leader confirms he will stand down

The leader of Harrogate Borough Council has announced he will stand down after more than 20 years of service as a councillor.

Cllr Richard Cooper, who was first elected as a Conservative councillor in 1999, said he will not seek election to the North Yorkshire unitary council but will continue in his role until the new authority is created in 2023.

Multiple senior political figures in the Harrogate district told the Stray Ferret earlier this month that the Conservative council leader would not be standing when voters head to the polls in May 2022.

Cllr Cooper has now confirmed the news. He said: 

“I have been a councillor now for 22 years and leader of the council for eight. That’s a long time and it is time for me to do other things and for others to have the opportunity to serve our communities at a senior level.

“Although I am not standing for the new council in May 2022, Harrogate Borough Council continues until April 2023.

“So although I am not standing for that new council it isn’t quite goodbye yet.”

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Cllr Cooper was first elected when he took the Liberal Democrat seat of West Central in 1999 and has since held several cabinet positions, as well as being deputy leader and serving on North Yorkshire County Council.

Council leader since 2014

He was elected as leader of Harrogate Borough Council in 2014 and will be the longest-serving holder of the position if he is re-elected next May.

Among his achievements, Cllr Cooper said he will remember increasing funding for homelessness, defeating the Nidd Gorge relief road proposal, raising the profile of sustainable transport and leading on the construction of the new Harrogate Civic Centre.

Cllr Cooper added: 

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the voters who have elected me to represent them over the past 22 years, my fellow councillors for having trusted me with leadership roles throughout that time and the amazing people in our community groups who I have been privileged to meet and support.

“We are fortunate to have many young and talented councillors in our district alongside those with many years of service. It is a great combination which will serve our district well on the new council.

“I wish them all, of every political persuasion, luck and success as they continue to champion sustainable transport, carbon reduction, support for the homeless and funding for our local voluntary groups among the many other brilliant things Harrogate Borough Council does.”

Racist graffiti sprayed in Harrogate playground

Racist graffiti has been sprayed onto playground equipment in Harrogate.

Two instances of the graffiti were found in a play area in Panhandle Park, just behind Sherwood Drive in Hookstone Chase.

It was reported to North Yorkshire Police between Saturday, October 23, and Tuesday, October 26.

The graffiti has since been removed but required specialist attention to do so by Harrogate Borough Council.

Sergeant Alex Sellars, of Harrogate neighbourhood policing team, said:

“We take hate crime very seriously and it has no place in society. We would urge anyone who knows anything about these incidents to get in touch with us to assist with our investigation.”

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North Yorkshire Police added in a statement:

“Anyone with information is asked to report it on our website or call 101.

“You can also provide information anonymously via independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or through their website.

“Please quote 12210229225 when providing information.”

Council submits plans for new Knaresborough leisure centre

Harrogate Borough Council has submitted plans for a new multi-million pound leisure centre in Knaresborough.

It is anticipated that, with approval from the council’s planning committee, construction could start on the facility as early as spring next year. It is expected to take 18 months to build.

Under the plans, the new building would be built on the playground to the rear of the existing pool, which would remain open during the work.

The new leisure centre will include a six-lane 25 metre pool, a learner pool with flume, sauna and steam room, fitness suite and studio, cafe, electric car charging points, bicycle storage and play area.

A public consultation held by the council earlier this month received 209 responses. Of those responses 54% were positive and 25% were neutral about the scheme.

However, local resident David Hull, who launched the ‘Not On Fysche Field’ campaign has criticised the plans over the loss of the existing play park. The council has said it will create a new play park on the site.

The plans have been altered to change the brickwork and cladding, to remove the glazing in an effort to reduce light pollution. There are also changes to the type of trees that will be planted.

An aerial view of the plans.

Trevor Watson, Harrogate Borough Council’s director of economy, environment and housing, said:

“It is clear residents are keen for us to provide modern and fit-for-purpose leisure facilities in the east of the district that complement the surrounding area, while also ensuring we retain the existing pool while the new facility is built.

“It has also allowed us to address any concerns and tailor the scheme where practically possible.

“I’m confident that the revised scheme will encourage a healthier and more active lifestyle and something Knaresborough residents will be proud of.”

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Mark Tweedie, managing director of Brimhams Active, the company set up by the council to run its leisure facilities, said:

“Through the provision of fantastic modern leisure and wellness facilities and engaging, inclusive services we will be able to help many more people become active, lead healthier lifestyles and therefore live longer, more independent and happier lives.”

Harrogate council ‘at constant threat from developers’, say councillors

Harrogate councillors have raised concerns that the authority is at “constant threat from developers” when making planning decisions.

Liberal Democrat councillor Pat Marsh, a member of Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee, said councillors were “constantly” being told that decisions they make could lead to the council being challenged at appeal.

This year, the council has seen refusals over a Starbucks on Wetherby Road and 72 homes in Spofforth challenged and overturned by the government. It has also had costs awarded against it for “unreasonable behaviour” after those appeals.

At a meeting on Tuesday, Cllr Marsh raised concern that the committee had become a “tick box exercise” and that the authority was at the mercy of developers.

She said:

“We are under constant threat from developers, we can only go with them in case we get hauled over the coals.

“I find that very, very difficult as a member of this committee. To be reminded ‘you made this decision, this is what happened’. Why have a council planning committee? It’s just a tick box exercise and I don’t want to be that.”

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Conservative Cllr Sue Lumby agreed with Cllr Marsh. She said:

“Why on earth are we sitting here if we just agree everything the officers recommend?”

Councillors were debating plans for 36 homes in Goldsborough when they raised concerns.

However council officers said councillors “hands were not tied”, but added that they must “act on the evidence” when deciding to go against officer recommendations.

“If members for whatever reason, having seen the site or know the site, disagree with the conclusion of the officer’s report then they need good evidence to justify coming to a different conclusion.”

Lost planning appeals

This year, the council failed to defend a decision to refuse a controversial plan for a Starbucks on Wetherby Road because officers said it could lead to legal costs of £50,000.

The council turned down the development back in 2019 on air quality and highways grounds, but later withdrew its objection.

The proposal, which was submitted by Euro Garages, was later approved by the government and full costs for the appeal were awarded against the council.

Meanwhile, last week a controversial plan for 72 homes in Spofforth was granted permission by the government despite Harrogate Borough Council refusing the scheme.

Siobhan Watson, a government planning inspector, awarded costs against the authority after finding its reasons for refusal to be “vague and illogical”.

In September, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that planning appeals lost by the borough council had cost taxpayers almost a quarter of a million pounds in legal fees since 2012.

Harrogate council fines landlords more than £100,000 over safety issues

Harrogate Borough Council revealed today that it has fined seven landlords a total of £109,000 since 2018 for failing to comply with private sector housing requirements.

The council said in a press release it most recently took action against landlord Mr Jamshid Jalali-Ghazaani, who failed to comply with an improvement notice on his property on the High Street in Starbeck.

According to the release, the council found several hazards including excess cold, structural issues and kitchen safety issues. He was fined £25,000.

Mr Jalali-Ghazaani appealed the penalty in September but a property tribunal dismissed it.

The council said it had successfully defended every appeal made by private landlords, including a fine of £15,000 for Stephen Archer’s Providence Terrace property, a fine of £13,500 for Andrew Norman’s Dragon Road property and Kingspark Limited’s £15,000 fine for its property on Electric Avenue.

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In addition, the council has also issued financial penalties totalling £40,589 against landlords of other properties did not appeal the penalty.

The release was published days after the council was criticised by residents for not taking firmer action against to prevent trouble at the privately-let 38 Mayfield Grove, Harrogate, which has been the subject of 255 police reports since 2008.

Trevor Watson, Harrogate Borough Council’s director of economy, environment and housing, said:

“While there are no doubt many landlords who provide excellent residential accommodation, there will sadly always be those who put the financial gain ahead of the safety of their tenants.

“This is an important reminder for landlords that as the housing authority we have the powers, and where necessary, will use them to protect tenants and residents. And hopefully encourage landlords to improve housing standards in the private rental sector.”