harrogate borough council Archives - Page 36 of 159

Fears for trees over plans to build 62 houses at Harrogate plant nursery

Pinewoods Conservation Group has called on Harrogate Borough Council to be “transparent” over a housing plan amid concerns over loss of green space.

The council looks set to press ahead with plans to build on the Harlow nursery site next to the woods.

Consultants hired by the local authority came up with two options this year. The first was to build 57 homes and flats. The second was to build 62 homes and flats with smaller gardens.

A report due before councillors next week recommends the 62-home option and invites expressions of interest for the land before proceeding to tender for a conditional sale.

The nursery, where the council cultivates plants for floral displays and sells plants to the public, falls within the 96-acre woodlands known as the Pinewoods.

A spokesperson for Pinewoods Conservation Group, a charity set up to protect the area, says it has concerns over the potential loss of green space due to the need for an access route.

They said the proposals indicate that trees would be lost and have called for the authority to be transparent with the group and address the concern.

The spokesperson added:

“We were pleased by the early consultation in May 2021 but had heard nothing since on plans or feedback regarding our initial concerns. The nursery site is a key across point to the Pinewoods used by hundreds of people every week, especially local residents.

“Whilst we are encouraged by the confirmation that it seems public access will continue, there will obviously be major disruption for a substantial period, and we suspect path closures during any development works. However, this is still likely to be several years away.”

They added:

“Our main concerns raised during the consultation were around proposals to widen Nursery Lane East, from the proposed development site to Harlow Moor Road. This is currently a single width track and we understand that the highways authority were looking for two-way access with associated footpath.

“This would likely require the loss of an area of the Pinewoods with this area being a designated green space under the local plan with additional protection under the Localism Act as an asset of community value.

“The published proposals seem to indicate the building on an additional access route that would result in loss of trees and green space.

“We would encourage the council to be transparent on its plans and engage further with groups such as us to help address the concerns already being raised.”

In response to the concerns, a council spokesperson said:

“The existing horticultural nursery off Harlow Moor Road is allocated for new homes within the council’s adopted local plan. This site provides an exciting opportunity to deliver innovative, high-quality private and affordable homes to help meet the current housing demand.

“It is also hoped that this development will complement the surrounding area and provide a dedicated pedestrian and cycle tree-lined avenue at its heart.

“Any proposals for the development of the site would need to go through the formal planning process and at this stage no plans are yet to be submitted. Once an application has been submitted, community groups and members of the public will be able to share their views that will be considered through the planning process.

“If the proposal identifies any loss of trees, these will be replaced at a minimum ratio of 2:1 should the application be approved.”

Grantley Hall appeals council order preventing it from using helipad

Grantley Hall has appealed a council order to prevent it from using a helipad after an alleged planning breach.

Harrogate Borough Council issued an enforcement notice against the hotel for using the helipad for take off and landings without planning permission.

The luxury hotel, which is located five miles west of Ripon, withdrew plans to operate the helicopter landing pad in June 2021.

The authority then ordered the hotel to “cease the use of the land for the taking off and landing of helicopter flights” and remove the helipad from the land.

According to the notice, the helipad’s location causes damage to the area and the significance of a heritage asset in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The order adds:

“It fails to protect or enhance those features which contribute to the special architectural or historic interest of the heritage asset and does not make a positive contribution to the character of the area.”

Picture of the helipad in the Grantley Hall grounds, as submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.

A picture of the helipad in the Grantley Hall grounds submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.

However, Grantley Hall has since appealed the order and requested that permission is granted for the helipad.

The hotel said that 70 flights took place at the hotel between October 2021 and September 2022, with visitors coming from Jersey, Bournemouth and Melrose in Scotland.

It added that all the flights took place during the day time and it was “clear evidence for the demand for this facility”.

In documents submitted to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which deals with appeals, the hotel said it had met with the council in September 2022 and confirmed it had stopped taking helicopter bookings.

The hotel said it was happy for conditions to be placed on its proposals and was willing to meet with the council to discuss mitigation measures.

It said in its planning documents:

“The appellant is eager to work with Harrogate Borough Council to ensure that Grantley Hall’s ability to deliver a first-class service and contribution to the local and regional economy does not compromise the local amenity and setting and significance of Grantley Hall.”

The Stray Ferret approached Grantley Hall for comment, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

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

Three planning withdrawals

The hotel withdrew plans for the helicopter landing pad for a third time in June 2021 after council officers recommended rejecting the proposal.

Nidderdale AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), Grantley and Sawley Parish Council and several residents objected to the plans, with one local describing the application as “totally unnecessary” and “self-fulfilling”.

The hotel has withdrawn three applications and had another rejected since first asking for permission to use an existing helipad in 2018.

Grantley Hall opened as a hotel after a £70 million refurbishment in 2019.

It was once used by West Riding County Council between 1947 and 1974 as an adult education residential college, as well as a training and conference centre by North Yorkshire County Council.

62 homes set to be built at council’s Harlow Nursery

Harrogate Borough Council looks set to press ahead with plans to sell land at Harlow Nurseries for housing.

The site next to the Pinewoods is owned by the council and sells plants, pots and compost to the public.

The council’s Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines where development can take place, allocates 40 homes to the site. The nursery will relocate if a development goes ahead.

Consultants hired by the council came up with two options this year. The first option was to build a mix of 57 family homes and flats. The second was to build 62 homes and flats with smaller gardens.

A report due before councillors next week recommends the 62-home option and invites expressions of interest for the land before proceeding to tender for a conditional sale.

The council says the area “provides a good opportunity for sustainable, low carbon and high quality place-making”.

The report says:

“The masterplan illustrates how a bespoke, high quality, carbon efficient, housing development could be delivered at Harlow Nurseries.

“It would create a community that sits well in its setting with a dedicated pedestrian and cycle tree lined avenue at its heart.

“A mixture of dwellings is proposed totalling 62 homes including 40% affordable.”

The plans have previously been met with anger from residents who objected to the closure of the Harlow Hill nursery where thousands of plants are grown each year for the district’s award-winning gardens.

In June, Cllr Sam Gibbs, the council’s cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, signed off £50,000 for “in-depth professional advice,” site surveys and other works to progress the replacement nursery plans.

At the time, a council spokesperson said the proposals were in the early stages and that it wanted to see whether the unnamed preferred site is “viable”.

The Stray Ferret has approached the council to ask whether it has now identified a preferred site for the existing nursery.

Grants up to £3,000 available to Harrogate district community groups

Community groups in the Harrogate district are being invited to apply for grants of up to £3,000.

The Local Fund for the Harrogate District opened today for applications to its latest round of awards.

The fund is a three-way partnership between Harrogate Borough Council, Harrogate & District Community Action and Two Ridings Community Foundation.

it focuses on small organisations with charitable aims where a small amount of money can make a significant difference.

The guidance notes say:

“Local groups can apply for activities and services that support people, keeping them connected to their community and with each other.

“This may be particularly important during the cost-of-living crisis, you may want to run more activities throughout the winter months, so people have a warm space to access.

“We cannot support overheads alone but encourage you to include them as part of your application and our commitment to full cost recovery.”

A total of 14 groups received a total of £40,688 in the last funding round, which was celebrated at an event at West Park Hotel in Harrogate last night.

Successful applicants included Boroughbridge and District Community Care, Nidderdale and Pateley Bridge Men’s Shed, St. Andrew’s Church in Burnt Yates, Pannal Ash Junior Football Club and Harrogate District of Sanctuary.

A total of £84,681 was given to 29 groups in the previous year.

The deadline for the new funding round is January 9. Decisions will be made by mid-February.

Grants from £200 to £3,000 are available.

Applicants must be based in and/or working in the area served by Harrogate Borough Council.

Further details are available here.

Jan Garrill, chief executive of Two Ridings Community Foundation, said:

“It is five years since The Local Fund was launched and since 2018, 88 projects have been supported and £237,266 paid out in grants.

“These grants have supported activities around mental health, inequality, hidden poverty and loneliness. More recently they have assisted in the response to and recovery from covid and now the impact of increases in the cost of living.

“Despite the local government changes in 2023 the fund will remain for the long term, supporting local grass roots community action across the whole of the district and with local people involved in decisions about the awards.”

Pic shows: Harrogate borough mayor, Councillor Victoria Oldham (centre), with voluntary sector representatives at last night’s event.

New £17m Knaresborough leisure centre starts to take shape

The steel frame for the new leisure and wellness centre on King James Road in Knaresborough is starting to take shape.

The centre, which is due to open at the end of next summer, will include a six-lane 25-metre pool, activity pool with flume, sauna and steam room, fitness suite and studio, spin studio, café, electric car charging points and cycle storage.

It is being built next to the current leisure centre, which will stay open until the new facility is ready.

Harrogate Borough Council, which is funding the project, previously said this will be in July next year.

Once it opens, the existing pool will be demolished and replaced by a new play area, which is due to take a further 15 weeks.

The council has appointed Bristol-based firm Alliance Leisure to carry out construction work.

Councillor Stanley Lumley, the council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, said in a statement today:

“This new facility for Knaresborough will be a fantastic asset for the town and shows our commitment to investing in leisure provision across the district.”

Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre (October) 02 (1)

Councillors Stanley Lumley (left) and Phil Ireland

Councillor Phil Ireland, cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability and borough councillor for the Knaresborough Aspin and Calcutt ward, said the centre would be “a brilliant addition for the town of Knaresborough”, adding:

“What is also so important is the fact it will be built to BREEAM standard of ‘Excellent’, ensuring that is as energy-efficient as possible to help us achieve our net-zero emissions target.”

The BREEAM standard is based on an assessment of the building’s sustainability and energy performance.

Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre (October) 01 (1)

Councillors Phil Ireland and Stanley Lumley with project manager Julian Donnelly.

Civic society view

The centre will be powered by air source heat pumps and solar panels to reduce the carbon footprint.

Andy Grinter, secretary of Knaresborough Civic Society, said it was pleased the centre was not going to be run on gas.

Speaking after a recent civic society visit to the site, Mr Grinter said it was also heartened to hear the council planned to appoint local caterers.

He aded:

“We were disappointed by some aspects of the planning process; in particular the lack of interaction by Harrogate council officers, who appear to have taken decisions without any consultation with residents eg the design of the new play area, which has it seems already been designed, bought and paid for.”

He said senior manager “gave us reassurances that it is on time and on budget” but the society was surprised to discover the centre is only expected to have a shelf life of 25 to 30 years.

Mr Grinter also said the society remained unconvinced there was a need for a new centre and was disappointed by the modern design, close to Knaresborough conservation area. He said:

“I don’t think we will ever be happy about the look of it.”

Main photo shows Councillors Stanley Lumley and Phil Ireland, Alliance Leisure business development manager Sean Nolan and ISG project manager Julian Donnelly.

Permission sought to demolish Ripon homes affected by subsidence

Planning permission is being sought to demolish a block of four empty Ripon homes in a perilous condition caused by subsidence and sinkhole issues.

The properties at Bedern Court and Skellgarths were evacuated in October 2020, after being deemed unsafe for habitation.

A section of Peacock’s Passage, which is adjacent to the site, has been blocked off ever since.

In a document confirming his support for demolition of the block, Harrogate Borough Council’s principal building control officer Darren Sykes said:

“We have been involved with these buildings as a dangerous structure in recent months so we are aware of the concerns regarding their stability.”

The application also seeks demolition of these steps and walls, where the effects of subsidence can be seen

A report prepared by Architecture:AB on behalf of Bedern Court Ltd, which manages the 29-unit residential development, says:

“Bedern Court Ltd are seeking consent to demolish 1, 3 and 5 Bedern Court and 17 Skellgarths because of damage to the building’s structure caused by subsidence.”

The report adds that the buildings have been monitored by structural engineers for more than a decade after subsidence occurred on an adjacent site.

With movement in the structure continuing, residents had to vacate the properties, which have been deemed unfit for habitation.

Last November, councillors at a full Ripon City Council meeting called on North Yorkshire County Council as highways authority to intervene and bring about an urgent demolition of the stricken block.

At that time, city council leader Andrew Williams, said:

“The movement of the affected block caused by sinkhole activity in the area is gaining speed and the implications for public safety are enormous.

“The block fronts onto the public highway and pavement and the potential impact of collapse and possibility of opening up of more damaging sinkholes in neighbouring areas cannot be ignored.

“If the perilous state of the building means it’s not safe to walk along Peacock’s Passage, it can’t be safe to walk or drive past it on Skellgarths. It needs to be demolished as quickly and safely as possible.”

Harrogate Borough Council will decide whether to give permission for the demolition in the coming months, with the date for the decision yet to be confirmed.

Bins causing access problems in Ripon car park to be relocated

Two new bins that have created access problems for wheelchair users at Sainsbury’s car park in Ripon are to be relocated.

Harrogate Borough Council recently installed the waste and recycling bins on a footpath with drop kerbs that provides a link from The Arcade to the supermarket.

But they leave little room for wheelchairs, or people with prams and pushchairs, to pass safely.

After being contacted by fellow wheelchair users and parents with young children, Jeremy Dunford, a trustee of Ripon Disability Forum, raised the issue with North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council.

The bins leave little room for manoeuvre for people with limited mobility.

He told the Stray Ferret:

“We have been looking at this area for some time, because cars, even when legally parked, have been encroaching on to the path on either side, making it hard to get along with mobility equipment and wide buggies.

“The addition of the bins made the position even more difficult.”

In response to Mr Dunford’s request for urgent action over the bins, a spokesperson from Harrogate Borough Council, which has installed many large new bins across the district lately, said:

“We’re in the process of having them moved and are working with local partners to find a more suitable location.”

Mr Dunford said:

“I would like to thank the council for their swift response. By working with organisations like the disability forum, we can hopefully avoid issues like this from arising in the future.”

Campaigners launch petition to save Bilton’s Knox Lane from housing

Campaigners have launched a petition to save land on Knox Lane from housing.

Keep Knox Natural has called on Harrogate Borough Council to remove a parcel of land in the area from its Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines where development can take place.

The move comes after councillors on the authority’s planning committee voted to delay a decision on a proposal to build 53 homes on the land amid concerns over contamination.

Last Sunday, campaigners took to Nidderdale Greenway, off Bilton Lane, dressed as woodland creatures to collect signatures for the petition.

The group argues that the council should reject the current application and remove the land from the local plan.

A spokesperson from the group said:

“We believe that this land should never have been included in the Harrogate local plan; it is entirely unsuitable for development.

“It lies within a designated special landscape area and building on this land will severely damage bio-diversity and destroy a range of landscape and historical features.

“Additionally, we believe that the development would cause serious risk of floodwater damage to Spruisty Bridge and houses near the site on Knox Lane.”

Spruisty Bridge

The council’s planning committee has yet to make a decision on the Knox Lane housing plan.

The plans first submitted in April 2020 initially included 73 homes, but this was reduced to 53 after local complaints.

Despite further changes, residents have continued to strongly oppose the development with a total of 313 objections and no letters of support being submitted to the council.

The proposals – which include 30 homes classed as affordable – will be brought back to another meeting of the council’s planning committee in the coming months.

You can view the Keep Knox Natural petition here.

Parish councils fear new Harrogate district town will be rushed and poor quality

Seven neighbouring parish councils have jointly raised concerns about the quality of the proposed new town in the Harrogate district.

Harrogate Borough Council is running a six-week consultation until November 14 on plans to create a new settlement called Maltkiln, which will be roughly the size of Thirsk. Up to 4,000 homes could be built.

The consultation sets out a 30-year vision and policy framework on how the site is designed and developed and proceeds any formal planning application.

Parish councils representing Moor Monkton, Nun Monkton, Tockwith, Whixley, Green Hammerton, Kirk Hammerton, Hunsingore, Great Ribston with Walshford and Cattal met last week to consider a joint response.

A summary of their response describes the documents residents are being urged to comment on as “technical and jargon-heavy”.

The summary acknowledges “major development is coming to the area” but adds Harrogate Borough Council’s development plan document “doesn’t provide a sound framework for delivering the ‘exemplar’ new settlement that’s required; nor does it address with sufficient care the implications for nearby villages”.

There are also concerns about the extent to which a genuine consultation is taking place for the new town, the name for which was chosen by developers Caddick without consultation with residents.

The summary says:

“Residents have raised concerns that the consultation process itself hasn’t been inclusive. Despite its far-reaching implications, there have been no in-person exhibition/public-hall meetings about the development plan document.

“The development plan document documents and response forms themselves are difficult to navigate, potentially preventing many residents from taking part.”

Alex Smith, a spokesman for the councils, said:

“There are several important areas — the development framework itself, transport, flooding — where the development plan document offers a wish-list, not deliverable policies backed up by evidence.”

Mr Smith said the speed at which the development was being considered, five months before Harrogate Borough Council is abolished, had “added to the confusion” and the development plan document felt “premature”. He added:

“It’s about meeting a political objective and getting outline approval for the Caddick application before the council is disbanded on April 1 — not about making sure that we get the best possible development for the future generations who will live in, and near it.”

Concerns about transport, flooding and schools

Arnold Warneken

Arnold Warneken, a Green councillor who represents Ouseburn on North Yorkshire County Council, also attended the parish councils’ meeting.

He said many residents had concerns about issues such as transport, flooding and education and “a combined voice” was more powerful. Cllr Warneken added:

“The consultation process has been questioned by residents for lots of reasons wondering why it was so arms-length and not at all easy to understand or comment on by those residents not at ease with planning terminology and also those who struggle with computers and emails

“I think this coalition of councils is showing how a community can come together for the good of the wider community.”

150-year-old Harrogate church could be turned into house

A Harrogate church which is more than 150 years old could be turned into a home, under new plans.

All Saints Church on Otley Road was formerly opened in 1871 as a cemetery chapel.

It was designated as a grade-II listed building in 1975, but was forced to shut in November 2006 due to wet and dry rot.

Three-years later the church closed for good as it was considered unsafe.

Now, under plans submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, the building could be converted into a three bedroom house.

The application, submitted by ELG Planning on behalf of Mr and Mrs Hunter, said the church could be salvaged and brought back into use.

In a planning statement, the developers said:

“The former Church of All Saints is a building in much need of attention.

“The applicant has belief that the existing building can be resurrected with restoration and modification to form a long term home for themselves and enjoyed by family members.

“Without foresight the building can, with the right approach be salvaged, and put to continued use as a sanctuary and place of continued life.”

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

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Three planning withdrawals

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Civic society view

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Concerns about transport, flooding and schools

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