“I’d like to thank local residents for their patience and support while we carry out enquiries. I can reassure people that this was an isolated incident, and officers will remain in the area to provide ongoing reassurance and support to the community.”
Station Gateway hit with second petition calling for project to be halted
A second petition demanding the Harrogate Gateway project is halted has been delivered to council bosses behind the £10.9 million scheme.
In what marks another sign of growing opposition against the major plans to reshape key parts of the town centre, the petition from Harrogate Residents Association has been backed by 714 signatures and will be debated at a council meeting on January 6.
This comes just days after the results of a latest council-run survey revealed 55% of 1,320 respondents feel ‘negative’ about the project, while 39% feel ‘positive’.
The remaining 6% were either ‘neutral’ or said they didn’t know.
It also did not say whether the opposition to the project could mean key parts of it – including the part-time pedestrianisation of James Street and reducing Station Parade to one-lane traffic – are scrapped or changed.
In its petition, Harrogate Residents Association said its main concerns are that the proposed road changes would be bad for business and only divert traffic elsewhere – something council bosses have argued against.
The residents association said:
“All we need to do is look at Oxford Street, Cambridge Street and Beulah Street to see the detrimental effects pedestrianisation has on shops, businesses and the appearance of our town.
“We need a flow of people through the town to support business, not to cut it off.
“These visitors bring a substantial amount of income to hospitality and retail without which we fear it would be terribly damaging to the town’s economy.”
The residents association – which previously petitioned against Harrogate’s first Low Traffic Neighbourhood on Beech Grove – also claimed cycle lanes are not the answer to improving sustainable transport. It said:
“We welcome improved cycling provisions across the district to encourage people to walk and cycle, however, what we are opposed to is anything that could have a detrimental impact on our livelihoods, environment, businesses, conference trade and town as a whole
“Wholesale introduction of cycle lanes through the town is not necessarily the answer. Harrogate has steep roads and the climate is not always warm and sunny – too often it is cold, windy and wet.”
The petition will be debated at a virtual meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Constituency Committee on January 6 when members of the residents association and council officials are expected to speak.
This comes after the Granville Road Area Residents Association previously delivered a petition against the Gateway project to Harrogate Borough Council which is supporting the scheme.
As well as changes to James Street and Station Parade, the plans also include improvements to Station Square and the One Arch underpass with the aim of providing better links to the train and bus station.
Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, recently said the responses to the latest survey were now being considered before designs are finalised and recommendations are presented to the council’s executive in the New Year.
He also argued sustainable transport measures were well supported during the Harrogate Congestion Study – a major survey held in 2019 when thousands of residents said a greener town centre was needed. He said:
“The clear message sent to us by members of the public then was that they wanted more walking and cycling infrastructure, greater support and use of public transport, and encouragement to leave cars at home when making short journeys.
“It was made clear that the best way to combat congestion was to change travel behaviour, to walk, cycle and use public transport more often.
“At a time when climate change is a global priority, these proposals will play a part in improving the environment in the town centre by encouraging less use of motor vehicles.”
The Gateway project is being funded by the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, with a deadline for the money to be spent by early 2023.
If approved, construction could start in spring 2022.
Free Harrogate buses every Sunday in January and February
Shoppers will be able to take advantage of free buses every Sunday in January and February to give businesses in Harrogate town centre a much-needed boost.
Free buses will be available on the electric services only – on the 2, 3 and 6.
The Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) has once again sponsored scheme, called the Sunday Freeway, after partnering with the Harrogate Bus Company in 2020 and 2019.
Tomorrow also marks the final day of Harrogate BID’s free parking initiative on Mondays to Thursdays after 3pm at the Victoria multi-storey car park.
With coronavirus cases on the rise and further restrictions on the agenda, this free service is expected to entice more visitors into Harrogate.
Back in 2019 the free Sunday buses generated a 90% rise in the number of customers travelling compared with the same period the year before.
Sara Ferguson, Harrogate BID chair and business owner, said:
“This is the third time we have partnered with our local bus operator, and on both previous occasions it helped to increase the number of passengers.
“This year, we have chosen January and February, which can be quiet months for the retail and hospitality sectors.
“Harrogate town centre is well worth a visit at any time of the year, and we hope the added incentive of free bus travel will make it even more appealing.”
“We’re delighted that Harrogate BID are able to again work in partnership with us to support our ‘Sunday Freeway’ on our Harrogate electrics buses.
“Free Sunday travel on our pioneering Harrogate electrics buses will make it easier to support our local economy and help keep our town’s traders in business into 2022.
“It’s been an incredibly challenging time for Harrogate’s businesses, with previous lockdowns and now the prospect of further restrictions.
“More than ever, it’s now up to us all to support them in the vital first few months of the New Year by taking advantage of free travel on Harrogate electrics buses.”
‘Disappointing and vague’: Harrogate council’s plan to tackle climate change criticised
The council has launched a public consultation on its draft Carbon Reduction Strategy, which will replace the original document that was first published in 2019.
HBC has a goal of 2038 when the Harrogate district will have a net zero-carbon economy. This means the district would put no more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than what it takes out.
As a major landowner and employer in the district, the council says it will be a leader in reducing emissions.
The draft document focuses on eight ‘strategic themes’ including retrofitting council housing in the district, encouraging the take up of electric vehicles and planting trees.
‘We do not consider the current draft statregy to be stringent enough to deliver HBC’s target of making their own operations net zero carbon by 2038, and we have some major concerns about key elements and details that are missing from the strategy. We are concerned that there is a lack of recognition of the scale of change required to reach net zero and consequently a lack of ambition. The strategy is based on the premiss that HBC can achieve the objectives by undertaking actions using a business-as-usual model rather than by setting out Page | 2 the actions needed to reach net zero carbon and showing how these could be achieved over the remaining 17-year timescale.
“We are concerned that there are neither quantifiable actions, nor measurable success criteria included. No targets are set for either HBC or the public to gauge whether the objectives laid out in this strategy are being met.”
“The council’s draft Carbon Reduction Strategy is its third attempt at responding to the climate emergency and only emphasises that the council does not understand the meaning of the word ‘emergency’ because it has taken four years to come only this far after the first draft was prepared.”
“Planning permission for housing is still being given which approve gas heating. This only adds ‘petrol to the fire’, and a new grand leisure centre project for Knaresborough, which may not be completed for several years, still envisages gas as a main source of heat. These two examples from many recent HBC decisions, exemplify our concern that the word ’emergency’ is not being taken seriously.”
Harrogate District Cycle Action also criticised the document, saying it has “no ambition or rigour”.
“Unfortunately, the strategy gives no evidence that the potential carbon savings of any of the projects mentioned, gives no timescales and no recognition of what projects would have maximum impact and should therefore be prioritised. In addition, there are no specific actions in the document, just vague non-specific actions. Thus, the strategy appears to have no ambition or rigour.”
Have your say
Conservative councillor Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for carbon reduction and sustainability, said:
“Climate change and the impact we’re all having on the planet, is at the forefront of people minds and rightly so.
“Our draft carbon reduction strategy has a number of aims and objectives but this can only be achieved by working together.
“I’d urge everyone to share their views on our draft carbon reduction strategy so that we can help deliver net-zero carbon emission by 2038.”
You can share your views on the strategy on the council’s website. The consultation closes on January 2.
Ashville College pupils plant hundreds of trees to improve campus biodiversity
Pupils at Harrogate’s Ashville College have planted hundreds of trees in an effort to boost biodiversity on campus.
In partnership with the Woodlands Trust, pupils under the supervision of the independent school’s grounds team added 420 native British trees to the site.
The trees included a mixture of hazel, blackthorn, crab apple, dog rose and rowan and created a hedge running adjacent to one of its sports pitches and a public footpath.
Annual tree-plantings are among many initiatives led by the College’s dedicated Green Committee, which works hard to encourage pupils to think about how their actions can either harm or benefit the environment.
In the last two weeks of term, the Green Committee also ran a Fairtrade stall in the College’s Pre-Prep, Prep, and Senior Schools, where pupils were the vendors.
Cathy Price, Ashville College Green Committee lead, said:
“The latest round of tree planting and the Fairtrade stall have come at the end of an extremely busy term for Green Committee members.
“Climate change and the environment have been on everyone’s radar, and this is going to continue. By making even small changes to our daily routines, collectively we make a big difference to the environment in which we live, work and go to school.”
The trees planted are in addition to 500 native trees that were planted last November to enhance existing hedges or establish new ones to the southwest edge of the 64-acre campus.
The Woodland Trust has provided all the trees as part of its Big Climate Fightback campaign, which has so far seen more than 1.8 million trees planted by schools, community groups and businesses around the UK.
As the saplings grow, they will provide a habitat and movement corridors for wildlife and produce pollen, nectar, nuts, fruit and berries for insects, birds and small mammals.
Harrogate running club congratulates founder after she wins BBC award
A Harrogate running club is hoping to encourage more members to join them in the new year after its founder won the Unsung Hero award at Sunday night’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.
Sam Barlow won the award for her efforts to set up the Yorkshire based club Fitmums and friends four years ago. The group aims to give everyone, not just mums, the opportunity to run without feeling any pressure.
Fitmums and friends now has 13 branches across Yorkshire and Grimsby, one is in Harrogate.
The Harrogate branch has said they are “over the moon” for Ms Barlow adding that after she helped to set up the Harrogate group four years ago it has gone from strength to strength.
One of the volunteer leaders, Kathryn Morrison, said:
“Now Sam has won this award we’re expecting Fitmums to expand and we just want to encourage people around Harrogate to come join us.It’s really inclusive, it doesn’t matter if you don’t feel fit enough we can support you in so many ways.
“We’re all about encouraging community and communication, I can’t imagine any of us fancied coming out on a cold night last night but we did and we all felt better for it.”
The branch now has 43 members and 12 leaders and coaches all coming together each Monday night for a run.
The aim is to encourage anyone of any ability to run or walk with the group. The group has a strong focus on mental health, encouraging members to speak openly and make friends.
Ms Morrison joined the first run in January 2017 as a member, she said she was a new mum and “not particularly fit” but said the support spurred her on and a year later she became a volunteer leader for the group.
She can now take groups out on different routes, ranging from one to six miles. She added:
“You never have to worry about being the slowest because we always make a thing about starting and finishing together.”
The group meets at Harrogate Railways AFC in Starbeck every Monday at 7.15pm. People can have a free trial which includes three sessions or joing for £36 per year which includes all your sessions and allows you to join any Fitmums run across Yorkshire.
Mayfield Grove residents react to ‘absolutely shocking’ suspected murder
People who live and work on Mayfield Grove have reacted with shock after three men were arrested on suspicion of murdering a man in a flat on the street.
North Yorkshire Police received a report that a man had died in a flat above Mykonos Bar & Grill at about 11.30pm last night. The flat and restaurant are not connected.
Officers went to the scene and found the body of a man.
A police statement said three men, two in their 30s and one in his 20s, were arrested at the flat on suspicion of murder. They remain in custody at this time.
One resident of Mayfield Grove, who asked not to be named, said the suspected murder was “absolutely shocking”.
Meanwhile, Natalia Fischer, from Bocian Polish Shop, which is next door to where the incident took place, said there were around seven police cars and an ambulance on the street when she came into work this morning.
She said:
“It’s not good.
“But I never have a problem with customers. People are friendly.”
Harrogate man Daniel Ainsley was jailed in October for murdering Mark Wolsey, also on Mayfield Grove, earlier this year.
Police were at the scene all morning
Men suspected of murder after body found in Harrogate
Three men have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a body was found on Mayfield Grove in Harrogate.
North Yorkshire Police received a report that a man had died in a flat at about 11.30pm last night.
They went to the scene and found the body of a man.
A police statement said three men, two in their 30s and one in his 20s, were arrested at the flat on suspicion of murder. They remain in custody at this time.
Chief Inspector Andy Colbourne, county commander, said:
“I recognise that local residents will be extremely concerned by what has happened, but they can be reassured that an extensive investigation is underway.
“Officers will be conducting enquiries in the area, and the neighbourhood policing team are carrying out extra patrols to provide further reassurance.”
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for the major investigation team.
Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please quote reference number 12210264785 when passing information.
Harrogate man Daniel Ainsley, 24, was jailed in October for murdering Mark Wolsey, 48, on Mayfield Grove.
Harrogate’s first Mosque could open at former Home Guard club
Harrogate’s first-ever Mosque could open at the former Home Guard club on Tower Street.
Plans have been submitted by the Harrogate Islamic Association (HIA) to convert the building, which was also a Victorian hospital, into a place of worship for Muslims.
The HIA was established in 2011 and has been looking for a permanent place to convert into a Mosque for years. Other attempts to find a home have fallen through.
Around 100 worshippers currently meet in the Quakers’ Friends Meeting House on Queen Parade.
Zahed Amanullah, from the HIA, told the Stray Ferret that they hope to run religious, community and charitable events at the building. It would also support Syrian and Afghan refugees who have moved to the area.
Harrogate Islamic Association
The building had been on the market for £500,000 and Mr Amanullah said the HIA will have to raise funds to complete the purchase, which is subject to planning permission.
He said:
“We thought this is our best chance to have somewhere in the town centre. The location is fantastic.
“We recognise its historical value and we want to be mindful of that when we restore the building. We will retain its period features. We’re not going to put a minaret up or anything like that, it’s needed as a space. Nothing will be added.
“We see ourselves as part of the fabric of the town. We’re all in Harrogate because we love Harrogate. We have a very diverse community of Muslims from Asia, Africa and England, but the nearest mosque is more than 15 miles away.
“It’s a rare vacant spot where there are no facilities for the community and it will easily handle our weekly needs.”
Harrogate historian Malcolm Neesam told the Stray Ferret that the building has historical importance to Harrogate. It was originally the town’s second hospital from 1873 until 1883 before being used as Harrogate’s first custom-built Masonic Hall.
It was also where Harrogate’s Crimean War hero Sgt Major Robert Johnston died.
With the advent of the Second World War in 1939, the local Home Guard began using the building as a social club to relax with a drink and play snooker.
Since 1987, the ground floor has been used by various businesses including Sweet Tooth Munchies.
According to a letter from a former Home Guard club member that is contained within planning documents, the club was forced to disband and close the venue in 2015 because it did not have enough money to repair a leaking roof.
There have been two planning applications in recent years to demolish the building and build four flats in its place, but they were both withdrawn.
Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the latest planning application at a later date.
Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant reveals plans to re-open
A Chinese restaurant set in the main hall of the Royal Baths in Harrogate plans to reopen next year after months of repairs.
Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant has been closed for most of the last two years due to coronavirus lockdowns and an extensive refurbishment that began in May this year.
Because the restaurant is based in a Grade II listed building, the work has been more complicated than expected.
The building, which is owned by North Yorkshire County Council, underwent a series of roof repairs before work started on the internal central hall in September.
Now the Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant has revealed that the works are almost complete. It said on its Facebook page:
“We are almost finished with the renovations. However we will not be open until after the New Year.
“Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant wish you all a very merry Christmas and happy New Year. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2022.”
Although the Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant has been closed, the owners have continued operating at their other site, Haks Little Royal Baths Chinese Restaurant, on Station Parade.
