A new crossing could be installed on Wetherby Road in an effort to improve walking and cycling in Harrogate.
The crossing, which could include traffic lights, would be put in place next to Slingsby Walk on the Stray.
North Yorkshire County Council has proposed the measure, which would cost £75,000, which it says could “double the number of people using a popular cycling and walking route”.
Cllr Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways and transportation, is to consider the proposal at a meeting on Wednesday, December 14.
Cllr Duncan said:
“We are committed to creating opportunities for people who want to walk or cycle for work, education, shopping or other reasons. This is clear in the Harrogate area through our Transforming Cities Fund gateway project and Active Travel Fund schemes to develop a safe, accessible network for cyclists and pedestrians.
“The Slingsby Walk crossing could offer a significant addition to the town’s infrastructure, providing a safe, formal crossing point for pedestrians and cyclists who might be hesitant about using the link at the moment.
“We recognise concerns around existing traffic congestion on this section of Wetherby Road. While an additional crossing would place extra pressure on the network, this needs to be weighed against the benefit to pedestrians and cyclists that already use this location and those that would if there was a formal crossing.
“We need to consider the benefits a signalised crossing would bring to pedestrians and cyclists and the safety of vulnerable road users in this location to achieve a better balance between different modes of travel.”
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If approved, implementation of the crossing will be subject to a detailed design and safety audit before it could be introduced in 2023/24.
Funding of £75,000 for the crossing has been secured from Harrogate Borough Council’s sustainable transport budget.
Cllr Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, said:
New board to review Harrogate Convention Centre operating model“If we want to achieve our zero-carbon economy targets, we need to invest in sustainable travel options and help make them as safe as possible.
“Introducing a road crossing on Wetherby Road at Slingsby Walk will ensure people have safe access between the east and west of Harrogate town centre. Especially as this route is frequently used by young people accessing the nearby schools.
“I’d like to thank North Yorkshire County Council as well as Councillor Keane Duncan for considering this proposal.”
A new board is to be created to assess the best way to operate Harrogate Convention Centre.
Harrogate Borough Council, which owns the facility, will be abolished in April and replaced by North Yorkshire Council. The move has raised questions over how the venue on Kings Road will be run from 2023.
In a report to be discussed by councillors next week, Paula Lorimer, director of the convention centre, said a strategic board will be set up by the new authority to oversee the planned £49 million redevelopment and assess how it should operate.
She said:
“This will bring changes for HCC including new structural reporting lines as well as to changes to governance relating to the HCC board. Some of these issues are yet to be clarified but are intended to be resolved ahead of vesting day.
“Additionally, and as mentioned earlier in this report, a new HCC strategic board is to be created by the new authority in order to oversee the redevelopment project and to assess the most appropriate operating model for the venue in the future.
“HCC staff will, however, TUPE transfer to the new authority from April 2023 as they are employees of Harrogate Borough Council.”
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Economic impact up to £31m
Ms Lorimer said the convention centre had recovered “particularly well” from covid and is forecast to reach revenues of 2019 levels next year.
According to the report, the convention centre had an economic impact on the district of £18.6 million for the covid-affected financial year 2021/2022, according to a new Visit Britain methodology.
Ms Lorimer added:
“Now the pandemic is over we are forecasting that the economic impact for 2022/23 should be close to £31 million which is excellent news.
“Our strategy is to focus on winning back larger, multi-day national and professional association conferences.
“Although the exhibitions industry has been in decline for many years, some of HCC’s events are actually growing post pandemic and Brexit. For example the Flooring Show and Nursery Fair have enjoyed a renaissance due to international supply issues caused by the pandemic and exhibitors deciding to promote in the UK.”
Paula Lorimer
Ms Lorimer said it had been “a very positive year”, adding:
“The current order book looks strong and we expect to reach budget for the year ending to 2022/23 on lettings. More encouragingly, the order book for lettings in 2023/34 has almost been achieved over 12 months out from the year commencing.”
Ms Lorimer said an investment in cosmetic improvements, such as new carpets and drapes, “has really paid dividends and now the team await a positive decision to progress with the redevelopment so that HCC can really maximise its full potential”.
The convention centre expects to hear next month whether its £20m Levelling Up funding bid has been successful.
The report adds:
£405,000 campaign to restore public access to 41 acres of the old Knaresborough Forest“A final decision on whether to progress the redevelopment will be made by the new authority in summer 2023.”
A fundraising campaign has been launched to buy 41 acres of land that used to be part of the Forest of Knaresborough and restore it to public use.
The privately-owned land, between Beryl Burton Cycle Way and Harrogate Road, is being put up for sale. It is not currently accessible to the public.
The community group Renaissance Knaresborough has begun a campaign to buy the land and replicate the successful Long Lands Common campaign, which raised £375,000 to buy 30 acres of land near Nidderdale Greenway and protect it from development.
Campaigners say the move would not only enable people to enjoy a nature-rich area of land that is currently out of bounds but also boost biodiversity by improving wildlife and providing educational opportunities. It would be called Knaresborough Forest Park.
Renaissance Knaresborough wants people to buy shares in the land, which would entitle shareholders to become members of the parkland project with voting rights — similar to Long Lands Common. It has already secured pledges worth more than £26,000,
An appeal statement by Liz Baxandall and Bill Rigby, chair and treasurer respectively of Renaissance Knaresborough, said:
“A piece of land is being prepared for sale. If it remains in private hands, as it is now, it will be a large tract of land within the town boundary to which we have no access.
“Our plan is to raise funds from our community to acquire it for the common good, manage it with care and let it be a haven for recreation, education and fun for
generations to come.“Pledges are urgently needed so our community can purchase this farmland to create a beautiful tree-rich natural parkland; a protected haven for wildlife and people that we’d call Knaresborough Forest Park.”
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The group is urging people to make pledges “urgently” in the hope of raising sufficient funds to buy the land while it remains on the market.
At this stage people are only being asked to to register an interest to buy community shares. Pledges are not legally binding and money will not be transferred until a later date.
The land, which connects with Mackintosh Park, off the Beryl Burton Cycle Way, once belonged to the Forest of Knaresborough, a hunting forest that covered 45 square miles.
The statement by Ms Baxandall and Mr Rigby said:
“We have already lost so much green space locally. We are asking all from far and wide to pledge today as an individual or organisation to buy community shares to empower local people, so together we can protect more land.
“Shares will only go on sale once there is enough interest shown by individuals, businesses and community organisations.”
Further details are available here.
Luxury new-build bungalows go on the market in picturesque village of Rainton
This article is sponsored by Linley & Simpson.
An exclusive new development of luxury four-bedroom bungalows has gone on the market in the picturesque village of Rainton.
Boasting a cricket club, green and pub, the idyllic rural setting provides the perfect location for Grange Farm.
As village locations remain in huge demand, one property has already been sold.
However, there are two spacious detached homes with double garages remaining, with prices starting from £630,000.
They have been built by Harrogate-based independent developers JWK Developments Ltd.
Plot 1 at Grange Farm Barns, Rainton.
Lucy Collinge, new homes marketing executive at Linley & Simpson, the agent selling the properties, said:
“It is unusual for a development of bungalows to come to the market – particularly as new builds.
“These properties are around 1,800 sq ft. However, they are really energy efficient as they are fitted with air source heat pumps and underfloor heating.
“The specification is high quality with stunning contemporary open-plan fitted kitchens, french doors opening to a private garden and patio and tiled bathrooms and ensuites. There is also a feature oak handrail in the hallway.”
The homes boast a carefully considered layout, with living and sleeping accommodation shared on the ground floor, as well as featuring a principal bedroom to the first floor in a dormer bungalow style.
A bathroom at a similar development in Alne, near Easingwold, by JWK Developments.
A separate sitting room and optional study or snug allows for a second reception room, ensuring that these homes provide for versatile living accommodation.
The ground floor also provides a utility room, cloakroom WC, house bathroom, two further double bedrooms and a single fourth bedroom/study.
Ms Collinge said:
“They also feature large landscaped gardens, which have been planted with crabapple trees and are really pretty. They are very much in-keeping with the village landscape.”
Rainton is a quintessentially English village, nestled between Ripon and Thirsk.
It is close to the junction of the A1 and A168, providing the commuter with options when travelling by car. Central Harrogate and York are 16 and 25 miles to the south respectively and Leeds is 38 miles away.
A kitchen at a similar development in Alne, near Easingwold, by JWK Developments.
For longer journeys, the nearest train station is Thirsk which is just seven miles away. From here, it is possible to catch direct trains to Leeds, London, Manchester Airport, Sunderland and York.
Ms Collinge added:
“Rainton has got a lovely village green and a maypole and it certainly looks the part.
“You’ve also got great transport links on the doorstop giving seclusion without remoteness.
“Rainton really is a stunning village in a fabulous location – the perfect place to buy a new home.”
James Knight, director of JWK Developments, said:
“Grange Farm is a truly unique development and the importance of an energy efficient and sustainable home has been recognised.
“From Mitsubishi air source heat pumps, underfloor heating to the ground floor and electric vehicle charging points, this offers buyers luxury eco-friendly living.”
To enquire about plots 1 and 2 at Grange Farm Barns, call Linley & Simpson on 01423 540054
More misery for motorists on Ripon Road in Killinghall todayMotorists are set for another day of delays on the A61 Ripon Road in Killinghall today, with long queues already forming.
Traffic in both directions was horrendous yesterday due to traffic lights caused by workers digging up the grass verge near Ripley.
After some respite later in the day, another set of roadworks appeared in the middle of Killinghall at 8.30pm as workers began digging up the road despite the late hour.
Late night roadworks in the middle of the village.
Four-way lights were installed at the junction of Ripon Road and Otley Road.
This morning, queues are again in place, with Yorkshire Water due to carry out work on Ripon Road all week traffic lights back.
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Business Breakfast: Experienced solicitor returns to Harrogate law firm
Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal
A Harrogate law firm has welcomed back an experienced conveyancing solicitor to the company.
Liz Webster has returned to LCF Law, where she last worked in 2012.
She said:
“Having started out as a legal executive more than 24 years ago, I worked at firms in Wakefield, Leeds and Bradford before qualifying as a solicitor in 2007 and then becoming a partner at the Wakefield-based firm where I started out.
“I have taken two career breaks to travel and worked for LCF Residential in between but having settled back in Yorkshire, I was keen to return to the firm permanently. The ethos at LCF Residential is unparalleled and the team are first-rate.”
Julie Davis, a director at LCF Residential, said:
“We are thrilled to have Liz back. Despite the ever-changing political landscape, the housing market has remained buoyant, with lots of transactions.”
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Harrogate company reaches supply agreement with Romanian security firm
A Harrogate communications firm has reached an agreement with a Romanian security company to supply telephone and workplace technology.
Storm, which is based at Cardale Park, has announced the partnership with Civitas Group, which works with major oil, gas and petrochemicals companies in the country.
The Harrogate-based firm will supply Civitas with workforce management and communications technology, including radio phones known as Push-to-Talk over Cellular.
Luke Wilkinson, founding director of Storm, said:
“We are delighted to be partnering with Civitas Group, a long established and highly respected provider of security services to blue chip clients and their interests across Romania and its fast-growing economy.
“Our agreement represents a new customer and new region for Storm and is another sign of increasing market confidence in the strength and resilience of our world-leading technologies.”
A man has been fined for breaching an enforcement notice by storing scrap cars at a Harrogate district farm without permission.
Malcolm Grange, 67, of White Wall Farm in Felliscliffe, was found to have breached the order which was first issued to him in May 2016.
Harrogate Borough Council ordered Grange to stop using the land for the storage of external vehicles, vehicle parts and tyres without planning permission.
The 67-year-old appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on November 28 charged with breaching the order between July 27 and September 3, 2021.
He was fined £480, ordered to pay costs of £2,700 and a victim surcharge of £48.
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Grange, who was convicted for a similar offence in 2012 by the Environment Agency, had initially appealed the order to the government’s Planning Inspectorate.
However, planning inspector John Braithwaite ruled in favour of the borough council.
He said:
Hampsthwaite school completes £270,000 upgrade“Evidence indicates that the land was in use for the storage of vehicles, vehicle parts and tyres on the date of issue of the enforcement notice.”
A village school near Harrogate has completed a £270,000 upgrade.
Hampsthwaite Church of England Primary School was built by public subscription in 1861 and now has 142 pupils and a nursery. It is part of the multi-academy Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust, which includes St Aidan’s Church of England High School and a number of other Church of England and community schools in the district.
Since Amy Ross became headteacher in September 2019 the elegant stone building, which originally comprised a schoolroom with classroom, and master’s house, has been further extended and modernised.
It now has an early years foundation stage outdoor area, a perimeter fence, a main school entrance and school office, a link lobby which prevents classrooms being a thoroughfare that disrupted learning and a staff room.
The new staffroom and link lobby.
The £270,000 refurbishment was paid for by a combination of section 106 infrastructure funding from housing developers along with school and trust funds
Ms Ross said:
“We are delighted to have completed this next stage of our journey at Hampsthwaite which has further enhanced our facilities for the benefit of children, families and our passionate, dedicated and exceptionally talented staff team.”
“With fantastic support from Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust we have been able to achieve such a huge amount in a short space of time, and all of this despite covid.
“Completing the build also highlighted what a wonderful school community we have. Parents donated furniture, including a sofa and coffee tables for the staffroom and Graham Sanderson Interiors (Harrogate) made us some beautiful new blinds for the main office and for the staff room, which will be treasured for decades to come. I feel privileged and proud to be a part of this community.”
Jo Stott, the school business manager, said:
New Tesco supermarket would threaten future of Jennyfields Co-op, warns report“Following the addition of a further classroom in recent years, the school had been lacking in facilities to support this extra provision, in particular to ensure a suitable entrance into school and also in providing staff room facilities.
“The improvements made to school make a huge difference in the day-to-day operations and will without doubt help Hampsthwaite School continue to thrive.”
Two of the largest retailers in the country are locked in a battle over the location of a potential new Tesco supermarket in Harrogate.
Last December, Tesco submitted plans to Harrogate Borough Council for its first major supermarket in the town.
The store, off Skipton Road on the site of an old gasworks, would be 38,795 square feet and include a petrol station, 200 car parking spaces and electric vehicle charging points. Tesco says 100 jobs would be created.
Tesco argues the supermarket is needed due to the proliferation of new housing around Skipton Road and towards Killinghall.
However, less than a mile away is the Co-op, which has been attached to Jennyfield Local Centre since 1980. The Co-op claims a new Tesco would lure shoppers and damage takings.
Harrogate Borough Council commissioned consultants Nexus Planning to examine how the new Tesco would impact on the local centre.
This is because key to the Co-op’s argument is a policy in Harrogate Borough Council’s Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which says development must not “lead to a significant adverse impact” of local centres, such as the one in Jennyfields.
Artist impression of how the Tesco will look on Skipton Road.
If it can be successfully argued Tesco would harm the centre it could give the council grounds to refuse the application.
Jennyfield Local Centre was built in the late 1970s to support the growing community on the estate and it includes a small shopping precinct and the Stone Beck pub.
The Nexus report said the new Tesco, and to a much lesser extent the new Lidl on Knaresborough Road, could divert as much as 38% of trade away from the Co-op.
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The report adds that such an impact on the centre’s anchor tenant would, in turn, threaten the future of the whole local centre.
It said:
“In light of [The Co-op’s] well-below benchmark average turnover, its importance in anchoring the local centre and the potential future loss in turnover should the Tesco food store proceed, we have significant concerns in respect of the future vitality and viability of Jennyfield Local Centre as a result of the proposal.”
Tesco’s response
Tesco consultants, MRRP strongly disputed the claim the Co-op would be at risk of closure from the new supermarket, arguing that it is likely to lose just 5% of its regular trade after residents from new housing developments are taken into account.
It said the Co-op and local facilities in Jennyfields would be boosted by the hundreds of new homes that are set to be built in the area. It added:
“In these circumstances, there is not considered to be any threat of closure in relation to the Co-op, none has been asserted by its consultants, or that there is a real risk of other shop units falling vacant.”
MRRP also disputed Nexus’s claim that the Co-op acts as an anchor tenant for the local centre. It said most people visit only to shop and do not use its other units. Two are currently empty and the other is a charity shop.
On November 22, a letter sent by Louise Ford, Tesco’s town planning manager, to the council said it was “disappointed” the two consultants could not agree on the potential impact of the new store.
Ms Ford pledged that Tesco would open a mini supermarket in Jennyfield Local Centre if the Co-op closed within five years of the new Skipton Road supermarket opening.
She said:
Starbeck woman, 67, takes on swimming charity challenge“If the Co-op does close within five years of the Tesco store opening and remains vacant for more than six months, then Tesco would use reasonable endeavours to open a convenience format store within Jennyfield Local Centre.”
A Starbeck woman is set to take on a 50-length swim in aid of a children’s cancer charity.
Carol Bland, who is 67 and has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arthritis and fibromyalgia, aims to raise funds for Candelighters, which helped her after her 12-year-old daughter Faye died.
Faye had leukaemia and passed away in 1991.
Carol said the Leeds-based charity helped the family during the two years her daughter was ill.
She said:
“The Candlelighters did a lot for us as a family for the two years that Faye was ill. They also provided us with a free caravan at Primrose Valley after we lost her.”
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The 67-year-old now wants to thank the charity for their help and is planning a 50-length swim at Starbeck Pool.
She will take on the challenge on her birthday and is asking for donations instead of presents.
Carol added:
“I’m not in the best of health anymore and can’t participate in the walks or runs so I decided that for my birthday on December 17 instead of presents I would ask for sponsorship to do a 50-length swim of Starbeck Pool.”
For more information about Candlelighters and to donate to Carol’s swimming challenge, visit the donations page here.