The Harrogate district could be set for its first significant snowfall of the winter.

According to the BBC’s weather forecast, which is provided by MeteoGroup, light snow will fall on Monday followed by heavy snow showers on Tuesday. Further snow is possible later in the week.

But the Met Office forecast for next week does not include any snow for the district.

Both sites, however, agree there will be a return to icy conditions with some areas struggling to get above sub-zero temperatures until Thursday.

Despite today’s drier weather, some roads remain flooded.

Group manager Bob Hoskins, who works for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, tweeted about three cars getting stuck at Cattal.

Further flood related incidents today.
3 cars stuck in flood water at Cattal, who had followed each other into the water.

Can I remind people the Fire Service DO NOT recover people’s cars

Whilst at the scene 3 further cars drove past appliance and into the water??????? pic.twitter.com/vXoFfX43ku

— Group Manager Bob Hoskins (@Golf_One4) January 12, 2023

Environment Agency flood alerts remain in place for the Lower River Nidd catchment area and the Lower River Ure, which burst its banks yesterday.

However, the flood warning for the caravan park at Roecliffe, near Boroughbridge, has been removed.

Read more:

• Firefighters called to rescue horse in Ripon which turned out to be a sculpture
• GPs ‘extremely concerned’ about new housing in Harrogate

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

In this final week before entries close, we are revealing the last of what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.

Next up is the Best Employee Development Award, which is sponsored by Jones Myers, Family Law Solicitors.

This award is designed to highlight businesses that develop their employees, giving them the best start for a new career.

Those looking to enter this award need to give details of the business values and culture that lead to the creation of the training programme and highlight employee successes that came as a result.

Do you know a person that deserves to win the Best Employee Development Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 16. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.

The Environment Agency has warned that flooding is ‘expected’ at a caravan park in the Harrogate district.

The caravan park at Roecliffe, near Boroughbridge, is situated alongside the River Ure.

At 12.29am this morning the Environment Agency urged people in the area to ‘act now’. It said:

“Flooding is expected in this area. This means properties are at risk of flooding. Please take action to protect yourself and your property and monitor local weather and river conditions.

“Avoid contact with, walking or driving through flood water. Consider activating any property flood protection products you may have.”

The government department also activated a less severe flood alert for the River Ure at 3.19am this morning.

It applies to low-lying land including agricultural land and local roads in the areas around Masham, Boroughbridge, Aldborough and Bishop Monkton. The alert said:

“Flooding is possible in this area. Monitor local water levels and weather conditions. Avoid using low lying footpaths or entering areas prone to flooding.”

Last night the Environment Agency issued a flood alert for the Upper River Nidd catchment area, which remains active.

A map showing where flood alerts and warnings are active.

Read more:

• Flood alert issued for Upper River Nidd catchment
• Rain highlights concerns about state of Harrogate district drains and gullies

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023 are for businesses across all sectors in the Harrogate district.

In this final week before entries close, we are revealing the last of what our judging panel is looking for when it comes to each of the 10 categories.

Next up is the Unsung Hero Award, which is sponsored by Big Bamboo.

This award is designed to shine a light on those people who are truly the glue of the team.

These people are not only integral to the day to day, but they also bring a personal touch that makes the business that bit brighter.

Those looking to nominate for the Unsung Hero Award need to provide details of the contribution and the impact this person has made as well as details of the person’s background and current position.

Do you know a person that deserves to win the Unsung Hero Award at the Stray Ferret Business Awards? Entries close on January 16. It’s simple and quick, so enter today!

Click here or the banner below to enter for the Stray Ferret Business Awards, sponsored by Prosperis.

A flood warning is in force for the Harrogate district from 6am to 8pm tomorrow.

Many roads were hit by flash flooding on Saturday and water levels remain high. Now the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for tomorrow due to persistent heavy rain, although the north-west is expected to bear the brunt.

Yellow warnings, which are less severe than amber and red warnings, are usually issued when it is likely the weather will cause some low level impacts, including some disruption to travel in a few places

In this instance, the Met Office has warned “flooding of a few homes and businesses is likely” and “bus and train services probably affected with journey times taking longer”.

The Environment Agency issued a flood alert on Thursday last week for low-lying areas around Masham, Boroughbridge, Aldborough and Bishop Monkton that are close to the River Ure.

It was removed over the weekend and there are currently no flood alerts or warnings active in the Harrogate district.

Read more:

• Flood alert issued in Harrogate district
• Firefighters rescue horse trapped in floodwater in Harrogate district

More drivers have been arrested in the Harrogate district as part of North Yorkshire Police’s Christmas drink drive campaign than any over district.

The force tested 1,035 people throughout December for drink and drug driving.

It comes as part of North Yorkshire Police’s campaign to clamp down on people driving under the influence.

Following roadside tests carried out by the force 121 people have been arrested.

Of that number, 33 drivers were in the Harrogate district. The second most were in York, which saw 30 people arrested.

Ryedale and Craven saw the fewest arrested with six and three drivers.

Drink driving arrests made by North Yorkshire Police during the force’s campaign. Data: NYP.

Seventy-three of the arrests were for drink driving, 40 arrests for drug driving (one person was arrested for both drink and drug driving) and nine people were arrested for failing to provide. 

Eighteen of those arrested followed a road traffic collision.

Superintendent Emma Aldred, head of specialist operations at North Yorkshire Police, said:

“Along with other emergency services we see far too often the devastating consequences that drink and drug driving causes.

“We often use the term ‘the ripple effect,’ as the mindless actions from one individual can lead to trauma and heartache for many more people.

“Although a vast majority of people were driving within the legal limits, 121 arrests is an alarming number, and it makes this set of results a difficult read.

“This campaign has focused on asking people to call us with information about drink and drug drivers.

“I’m pleased to say we’ve received a significant amount of calls over the past month and often these calls have often resulted in arrests and most likely the prevention of further devastation.”

Read more:

• Criminals in North Yorkshire could make written apologies to victims
• Police plea to call out drink drivers amid increasing Harrogate district incidents

Firefighters rescued a horse trapped in floodwater today in the Harrogate district.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log said it was alerted to the danger at 8am this morning. It occurred off the A59 York Road at Kirk Hammerton.

The incident log said:

“Crews from Acomb and Tadcaster attended an incident where a horse had become trapped in floodwater.

“Crews attached a general purpose line and dragged the horse to safety.

“The horse was then covered with a blanket to keep warm.”

The Environment Agency issued a flood alert today for the Lower River Ure in the Harrogate district.

Read more:

• Firefighters rescue horse after collision in Killinghall
• Flood alert issued in Harrogate district
• Knaresborough man admits assaulting two police officers in Harrogate

The Stray Ferret Business Awards 2023 sponsored by Prosperis is set to celebrate the best of businesses from across the Harrogate district.

With the deadline for entries fast approaching on Monday, January 16 we are revealing the top reasons why businesses simply cannot miss the opportunity to get involved.

The entry process is simple, fast and free, so what are you waiting for? Enter or nominate today!

Shout about your achievements

We know the Harrogate district is home to thousands of incredible small, medium and large businesses.

In the face of the coronavirus pandemic and now a cost of living crisis, local businesses are doing amazing things for their staff and customers.

So why not get recognition for those achievements? Whether your business has seen significant growth, made positive changes for sustainability or inclusivity, we can help you celebrate.

Attract top talent and keep employees motivated

Now more than ever we know just how important it is to attract new employees and keep your existing employees motivated.

Winning or being shortlisted for an award is a great way to set your business apart from the rest. Who doesn’t want to make for an award-winning business?

Not only do we have awards celebrating overall business achievements, we also have awards geared specifically towards celebrating the work of your best staff.

So if you have a Rising Star Under 30 or an Unsung Hero at your business then show them your appreciation and nominate them today.

Exposure with the Stray Ferret’s audience

The Stray Ferret has a huge, local audience. We get more than 200,000 readers every month from across the Harrogate district and beyond.

With ten categories come ten winners and we will profile the great work of all of our winners. So this is a great chance to get your business in front of our readers.

Incredible judging panel

When you are looking to get recognition for your business, it is key that those on the judging panel are the best of the best.

That is why we have handpicked the leaders of top businesses from across the Harrogate district with expertise and experience in a wider variety of sectors.

We have Charlene Lyons, CEO of Black Sheep Brewery in Masham, Marcus Boardall, CEO of Reed Boardall in Boroughbridge, Martin Rae, CEO of Cloud Nine in Harrogate and James Farrar, COO of the York and North Yorkshire LEP in Northallerton.

Network with the best local businesses

The Stray Ferret Business Awards will be a great way to network with the event culminating in a glittering awards dinner on March 9.

With our stellar judging panel, sponsors and shortlisted businesses for each of our ten categories, this is not an event to be missed.

You can see a full list of award categories on the Stray Ferret Business Awards page. Entries close on Monday, January 16.

The Harrogate district is expanding with new homes and businesses.

Next year will be no different as both Harrogate Borough Council and the new North Yorkshire Council are set to decide on some major developments.

From 1,300 homes in Ripon to a new Tesco on Skipton Road in Harrogate, there are some key planning decisions to be made.

Here are some of the major developments on the cards for the district.

A new Harrogate Tesco?

In the pipeline for nearly 20 years, talk of a new Tesco in Harrogate could now potentially become a reality over the next 12 months.

The company has earmarked land at former gasworks site on Skipton Road for its new store.

Since pulling out of plans for the site in 2016, Tesco returned at the end of last year with fresh plans for a 38,795 square feet supermarket.

Artist impression of how the Tesco will look on Skipton Road.

Throughout 2022, objections have been lodged against the plan from residents and retailers – including the Co-op, which argued the new store could damage takings at its Jennyfields shop.

The proposal represents a major scheme for Harrogate, which currently does not have a Tesco supermarket.

However, in 2023, that could change if councillors side with the retail giant.

West of Harrogate expansion

The west of Harrogate has been earmarked for major development for some time.

The scale of the housing planned for the area has led to the approval of a parameters plan by the borough council.

Among the schemes include 480 homes at Bluecoat Wood, 770 homes at Windmill Farm and 200 homes at the former police training centre off Yew Tree Lane.

Some of the developments are yet to be decided and could be heard this coming year.

More housebuilding in Kingsley

Another area of Harrogate that has seen extensive housebuilding is Kingsley.

Developers including Persimmon Homes have pursued schemes on Kingsley Drive for the past 18 months.

Read more:

• New housing plan to be created for Harrogate district
• New Harrogate district housing plan should not be ‘tickbox exercise’, says councillor

A revised proposal for 162 homes has just recently been tabled for the street this month.

Despite concern from residents that nearby Rydal Road, Birstwith Road and Leyland Road have been used as rat-runs due to housebuilding, the area looks set to be subject to further applications.

Knox Lane controversy

Perhaps one of the more controversial developments which could be decided this coming year is new houses off Knox Lane.

A decision on the 53-home proposal has been delayed since October after councillors raised concerns that the site is likely to be contaminated by coal and tar spillages from a former railway track.

The plans were first submitted in April 2020 and 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 more than 300 objections and no letters of support being submitted to the council.

Campaigners dressed as woodland creatures also took to the Nidderdale Greenway to collect signatures against the proposal.

A computer generated image of the proposed Ripon Barracks site

New homes in Clotherholme?

One of Ripon’s longest running housing schemes is the planed 1,300 homes on the former Clotherholme barracks.

The plans were first submitted in 2020 by Homes England, the government’s housing agency.

However, since then, there has been a bitter debate over the scheme and its impact on health, transport and the site’s military history.

A consultation into the homes was extended in March following a request by Ripon City Council.

However, there has been little movement on the development since.

Traffic was halted on the southbound A1(M) between junctions 46 and 47 last night when a Vauxhall Corsa caught fire.

The vehicle was completely destroyed by the blaze, which occurred at about 8.45pm between Flaxby and Wetherby Services.

The wreckage of the Corsa. Pic: Knaresborough Fire Station

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log said:

“Knaresborough and Harrogate crews attended a Vauxhall Corsa well alight on the hard shoulder.

“The fire is believed to have been caused by a mechanical fault. Crews extinguished the fire using two hose reels. The car was destroyed by fire.”

Firefighters at the scene. Pic Knaresborough Fire Station

Last night National Highways alerted motorists to the incident and warned them to expect delays. Knaresborough Fire Station posted on social media this morning the road re-opened shortly afterwards.

Traffic is being held temporarily on the #A1M southbound between J47 and J46 near #Wetherby due to a vehicle fire. pic.twitter.com/Gpa4PvdDpZ

— National Highways: Yorkshire (@HighwaysYORKS) December 30, 2022

Read more:

• Wrapping paper causes Christmas Day chimney fire in Harrogate
• Firefighters rescue family trapped on black ice in Nidderdale