Former Ripon pub to be converted into apartments

A former Ripon pub is to be converted into apartments.

The proposals, submitted by Leeds-based NRG Homes (Yorkshire) Ltd, will see the former Ship Inn, in Bondgate, converted into five apartments with car parking.

The plan will also see a further five homes built next to the former public house.

Harrogate Borough Council has given the go-ahead for the development.

As part of the proposal, five two-bed apartments, two three-bed houses and two two-bedroom homes will be built.

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Fourteen car parking spaces will also be provided.

The developer said in documents submitted to the council that the new homes will help to benefit “local enterprises in Ripon”.

It said:

“The site is now better suited for residential use, which help bring a more appropriate residential feel for the community, limited to scale and type which does not cause nuisance.

“The provision of new residents will potentially have some benefit to local enterprises and will add to and consolidate the general activity of Ripon.”

New Ripon pool to open on December 8

Ripon’s new swimming pool will open on December 8, Harrogate Borough Council announced today.

The new facility on Dallamires Lane will include a six-lane 25-metre pool, sauna suite and electric car charging points.

An AngelEye pool safety system using underwater cameras will help lifeguards detect whether swimmers are in danger or drowning.

Ripon Spa Baths will close on Sunday November 7 so staff can be transferred across to the new facility and receive training ahead of the opening.

Mark Tweedie, managing director of Brimhams Active, the council’s new arms-length leisure company that will run the pool, said:

“This amazing new facility will provide residents with local access to great swimming experiences for a generation to come.

“I’d like to thank Harrogate Borough Council for their bold and brave vision to provide unprecedented levels of investment into leisure and wellbeing across the district.”

Conservative councillor Stanley Lumley, the council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, and chair of Brimhams Active, added:

“The addition of the new swimming pool is a major development for Ripon and the surrounding area and I’m delighted to announce that it will be officially opened this December.”

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£3m over budget

The Stray Ferret revealed that the new pool is more than £3 million pounds over budget.

The running total for the scheme is now in excess of £13.5 million and that figure is likely to increase.

There has also been growing concern over the project after a ‘void’ was discovered while digging foundations at the entrance of the leisure centre.

Bar and restaurant planned for former Knaresborough bank

The former Natwest bank in Knaresborough could be turned into a bar and restaurant.

Under licensing plans submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, the Claro Chambers building on the town’s High Street would be converted into a “casual eating and drinking destination”.

Harrogate’s Major Tom’s Social and Knaresborough-based Turning Point Brewing Co have submitted the application as part of a collaboration between the two businesses.

The building has been vacant since NatWest bank moved out in October 2017.

In a statement, Major Tom’s and Turning Point said the project was in its early stages.

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They added that they had been working together for five years and took the opportunity to create the bar when the building became available.

Major Tom’s and Turning Point said:

“This project is currently in the early stages; we do not yet have a premises license for the venue, so we wanted to wait until we had that and the keys before officially announcing anything.

“We (Major Tom’s Social and Turning Point Brew Co.) are looking to collaborate on a bar in Knaresborough town centre. 

“Our aim is to create a casual eating and drinking destination in the Claro Chambers bank building on High Street, bringing the best of each business to the table. 

“We have an established relationship of working together for almost five years, and when the opportunity to create a unique venue in Knaresborough presented itself, we couldn’t wait to get to started. 

“We fell in love with the building at first sight and saw its potential to be restored into a thriving and well utilised space, and a great addition to the town for locals and tourists alike.”

The borough council granted planning permission to change the use of the building from a bank to a bar and restaurant in August last year.

If approved by the council’s licensing committee next week, the proposal would see the bar open from midday until 12.30am.

The application also seeks permission for recorded music and films.

‘Lancashire sink estate’ plans resubmitted in Boroughbridge

A proposal for hundreds of new homes in Boroughbridge that a councillor likened to ‘a sink development from Lancashire’ has been resubmitted.

Cllr Nigel Simms, a Conservative who represents Masham and Kirkby Malzeard on Harrogate Borough Council, apologised for any offence caused after he described the plans for 260 homes as “like a sink development from Lancashire, not something that we should be having in North Yorkshire”.

The council’s planning committee rejected the plans in June over concerns that too many terraced properties had been concentrated in a small area, and that residents would also not get enough garden or storage space.

Cllr Andrew Paraskos, a Conservative who represents Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale who also sits on the planning committee, said at the time “it looks like they have crammed as many houses in as possible”.

Barratt and David Wilson Homes have now lodged new plans for 256 homes — four fewer than its previous application — at Stump Cross, as part of a wider 450-home development.

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This proposal forms part of the first phase of housing at the Boroughbridge site.

Barratt and David Wilson Homes already have outline approval to build on the site and are seeking final permission.

The site layout for the planned 256 homes in Boroughbridge.

The site layout for the planned 256 homes in Boroughbridge.

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

“The development will respect Boroughbridge’s local character but also move the area towards a more sustainable future, through a significant increase in housing choice and mixed-use approach.”

The council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

Harrogate town council: the Stray’s future and relationship with business

One of the Harrogate’s most prized assets is the Stray.

The 200-acre grassland is owned by the Duchy of Lancaster, which manages the Queen’s estate.

But its management and upkeep lies solely with Harrogate Borough Council — which will no longer exist in April 2023.

The scrapping of the borough council also raises questions for businesses, which will need to deal with an entirely new authority in the coming years.

The key question is whether or not these important areas for the Harrogate district become the responsibility of the new unitary council or a newly formed town council.

Who will maintain the Stray?

When the borough council no longer exists, any maintenance of the Stray will be handed to the new authority.

This means that the upkeep will be carried out by the unitary authority. But, as an asset which is unique to Harrogate, a new Harrogate town council could bid for its control.

As previously reported, many of the powers which lower-tier councils in Cornwall decided to take on were the maintenance of parks and gardens.

So although a Harrogate town council might not be able to keep up with the demands of running the Harrogate Convention Centre, it may regard the Stray as a more manageable asset.

A year to forget on West Park Stray following the UCI Road World Championships.

A year to forget on West Park Stray following the UCI Road World Championships.

However, taking on control of the Stray can be complicated, as highlighted by the recent controversy over damage to the Stray caused by the UCI Road World Championships and the £130,000 cost of restoration work.

Plus, the current borough council has a parks and environment department which oversees it — something a town council would have to resource itself.

Judy D’Arcy Thompson, chairman of the Stray Defence Association, said it had been considering the Stray’s future post-Harrogate Borough Council.

She added:

“We have always worked in conjunction with the Duchy of Lancaster and Harrogate Borough Council to ensure the protection and upkeep of the Stray and are obviously concerned as to what any new council would be in a position to undertake. Clearly the Duchy of Lancaster would also be involved in any discussions and decisions about this

“Our hope is that any new authority would continue to care for the Stray and manage it in the best possible way to ensure it is maintained to a high standard for the use and enjoyment of all of Harrogate’s residents.”

Taking care of business

The loss of Harrogate Borough Council will also affect the town’s economy.

Harrogate’s traders will soon have to negotiate with a new council on matters such as planning, licensing and business rates.

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Thousands of pounds of grants were distributed through the borough council to keep traders afloat during covid.

There is also the ongoing debate over the £10.9 million Station Gateway project, which has seen battle lines drawn between some businesses and the borough and county councils, which both support the pro-cycling scheme.

David Simister, chief executive of the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, says business will continue to forge a relationship with the council, whether it is the new unitary authority or a town council.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“The chamber currently has a close working relationship with Harrogate Borough Council, and if there was to be a town council, then we would seek similar ties.

“Only by working in partnership with different organisations will Harrogate continue to thrive and prosper. Our members are drawn from the whole business spectrum, and collectively have a huge amount of knowledge which a town council can tap into.”

The future

The prospect of a Harrogate town council is already raising questions and creating uncertainties, which the new unitary council will need to address quickly.

The ball has been set rolling for devolution and the debate over where local power will reside and how assets will be run will grow ever more intense until matters are resolved.

First glimpse of how Harrogate will look after £10.9m transformation

Here’s how Harrogate’s Station Parade and James Street will look under the proposed £10.9m Station Gateway project.

North Yorkshire County Council today published an artist’s impression of the area that will be most affected by the ambitious scheme.

It shows a new cycle lane alongside a filter lane to Station Bridge on a section of a single lane Station Parade and a traffic-free, pedestrianised James Street.

The image was published in the run-up to further consultation on the scheme starting next week.

Plans to reduce Station Parade to single lane traffic and pedestrianise James Street have divided opinion.

Many people welcome the move to encourage cycling and walking but some businesses are concerned about the loss of parking spaces and the impact on trade.

Encourage sustainable travel

The Harrogate scheme is one of three projects worth a combined £42m in Harrogate, Skipton and Selby.

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 statement by North Yorkshire County Council said today the projects would “transform each travel gateway by boosting public transport, encouraging sustainable travel and upgrading the public realm for residents and visitors alike”.

It added feedback from the earlier consultation into the Harrogate scheme “had been taken into account when looking at the options for one lane in Station Parade and pedestrianisation of James Street, as well as the detailed layout of Station Square and the balance of parking, loading and taxi space provision within the gateway area”.

North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, the executive member for access, said:

“We listened to the feedback from the consultations earlier this year and have taken that response into account in the further development of the designs.

“Now, we are keen for residents to tell us how well these revised designs meet the objectives of opening up the towns’ gateways to facilitate and encourage cycling and walking and improve the quality and sense of identity in these locations.

“People can also help to define the final look of the schemes by giving their views on such details as benches and planting.”

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Councillor Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, said:

“We want to ensure this multi-million pound Transforming Cities Fund project provides an exciting and attractive gateway to Harrogate town centre that encourages people to use sustainable travel options and helps us achieve our carbon reduction goals.”

Work due to begin in summer

The schemes are being delivered with money from the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which aims to “transform gateways to towns and cities across the region by making it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport”.

Online events will take place from 6pm until 7pm on October 21 and October 28 for the Harrogate scheme.

Details of the online consultation, which runs until November 12, will be available from Monday at www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/northyorkshire

Following this consultation, a final business case will be prepared before approval is sought to deliver the schemes.

It is anticipated that work will begin by mid-2022 and be completed by March 2023.

Future of Kirkby Malzeard pub to be made in weeks

A decision on whether a Harrogate district pub under threat from demolition will regain its protected status will be made by next month.

The Henry Jenkins Inn at Kirkby Malzeard has been at the centre of a long-fought battle between villagers and a developer since it closed in 2011 and was later removed as an asset of community value by Harrogate Borough Council.

In a latest attempt to secure its future, a petition from the Henry Jenkins Community Pub group was delivered to a council meeting last Wednesday. The petition urged the authority to “do the right thing” and reinstate the 18th century pub’s protected status.

The council has now issued a statement saying it will make a decision “no later than 10 November”.

A council spokesperson said:

“The council received an asset of community value nomination for the ‘eastern part’ of the Henry Jenkins public house on 16 September from Henry Jenkins Community Pub.

“It is currently being assessed against the criteria in the Localism Act and a decision will be made no later than 10 November as required by the legislation.”

The status of an asset of community value means buildings must be used by the community and are protected from a change of use or demolition.

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If approved, the campaign group hopes to buy and take over the running of the pub for which it says it has the backing of £237,000 in share pledges.

One of the Harrogate district’s oldest pubs

The Henry Jenkins is named after the Yorkshire super-centenarian that legend states lived to be 169 years old.

It is one of the oldest inns in the Harrogate district and is the last of several pubs in the area named after Mr Jenkins, who is reputed to have lived from 1500 to 1670.

The Henry Jenkins pictured when it closed in 2011. Photo: Google.

The Henry Jenkins pictured when it closed in 2011. Photo: Google.

Despite its rich history, members of the Henry Jenkins Community Pub group say it has now fallen into a state of disrepair and is in need of a change of ownership in order to bring it back to its former glory.

Speaking at last week’s meeting, group member Richard Sadler said the pub was an “intrinsic part of the history, culture and identity” of Kirkby Malzeard, but had recently become a “blight” on the village.

He said: 

“We have now put together a business plan and have community share pledges for £237,000 to buy the pub.

“But there is a problem. The council has delisted part of it simply because that part was sold off.

“That is why we are asking the council to do the right thing and put the whole pub back as an asset of community value so we have a chance of bringing it back as a thriving pub for future generations.

“This could be a huge boost to our village and the whole region.”

‘Lack of engagement’ saw Knaresborough BID fail, say businesses

A “lack of engagement” and “vague plans” led to a proposed Knaresborough Business Improvement District being rejected, say businesses.

Local traders voted down the plan this week by 80 votes to 73, with 153 votes cast overall.

BIDs, which already exist in many towns and cities, including Harrogate and Ripon, aim to improve footfall in towns and cities.

Businesses in areas that vote for creating them have to pay a levy to fund their activities.

But traders in Knaresborough said they felt the plans for the town were unclear.

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Annie Wilkinson-Gill, who owns The Crystal Buddha, said the organisation could have been good for the town had the BID task group engaged more.

She said:

“The BID could have been a good thing for the town, 

“But the lack of engagement from the BID team and directors with the town’s businesses and lack of transparency is why it wasn’t successful, 

“The plan was completely vague and had very little information within for us to want to invest in it.”

‘The town will continue to flourish’

Ashleigh Lambert, who owns Cenheard at Conyngham Hall in the town, said:

“I feel the plan from the BID lacked direction and failed to engage local businesses with the impacts, positive or negative.

“Knaresborough businesses have come together against the odds of votes stacked against them to vote for what they wanted for the town. I’m confident the town with continue to flourish with the support of groups and the council.”

The Stray Ferret contacted Bill Taylor, secretary and treasurer of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce and a member of the BID task group for a response to the ballot but he declined to comment.

More than 300 firms were eligible to take part in the vote, which started in September and ran until October 8.

For the BID to succeed, a simple majority of those who vote, representing more than half the total rateable value of all properties, must be in favour.

But although Harrogate Borough Council threw its 28-strong block vote behind the scheme, it was unable to muster enough support.

Knaresborough businesses vote against setting up a BID

Knaresborough businesses have voted narrowly against setting up a business improvement district.

More than 300 firms were eligible to take part in the vote, which started in September and ran until October 8.

BIDs, which already exist in many towns and cities, including Harrogate and Ripon, aim to create safer, cleaner and better promoted city and town centres to improve footfall.

Businesses in areas that vote for creating them have to pay a levy to fund their activities.

Results published by Harrogate Borough Council show that 153 votes were cast in the ballot but just 73 voted for the Knaresborough BID. Eighty voted against.

For the BID to succeed, a simple majority of those who vote, representing more than half the total rateable value of all properties, must be in favour.

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In September, the borough council lent its support to the BID and cast 28 votes in the ballot as it has that many rate paying properties in the town.

Authority officials also previously agreed to lend £27,000 for start-up costs and would have contributed around the same amount in levy charges had the BID been given the go-ahead.

Work starts on controversial Harrogate Starbucks

Diggers have moved in to demolish a former dental surgery and make way for a Starbucks drive-thru on Wetherby Road in Harrogate.

Construction workers have been clearing overgrowth and moving out leftover furniture from 1st Dental Surgery before the site is levelled.

When complete, there will be a coffee shop with 19 car parking spaces close to the Woodlands junction on the busy road.

Developer Euro Garages has spent almost a decade trying to win permission for the work, which Harrogate Borough Council rejected three times.

The council turned down the latest bid back in 2019 on air quality and highways grounds.

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Euro Garages appealed and government planning inspector Helen Hockenhull overturned the decision in July and ordered the council to pay costs for the hearing.

The move comes despite fierce opposition from some local residents, who warned traffic on the road was already at “breaking point”.

Ms Hockenhull said in a decision notice:

“I recognise that my findings will be disappointing to the local residents and ward councillor who gave evidence at the hearing.

“With the proposed mitigation measures secured by planning conditions, I am not persuaded that the development would cause significant harm.”

The Stray Ferret has approached Euro Garages and Starbuck for comment.