Harrogate Borough Council officers have said a decision to delay a controversial proposal to build 200 homes on a former police training centre site in Pannal Ash was “not justified”.

The council’s planning committee deferred a decision in June on whether to approve the development on the Yew Tree Lane site, pending publication of the West of Harrogate Parameters Plan.

The parameters plan will assess transport and infrastructure needs associated with wider plans to build up to 4,000 homes on the western side of Harrogate.

As reported by the Stray Ferret, the decision to defer was met with frustration by Homes England which told the council in an email it was “extremely disappointing”.

Now council officials have told councillors that the decision had “no policy basis” and urged them to approve the scheme next week.

In a report due before the council’s planning committee next week, they say the parameters plan will not “replace or alter any of the policy requirements set out within the Harrogate District Local Plan 2014-35”.

It adds that the Local Plan, which describes where development is permitted to take place in the district, is the “starting point” for determining any application submitted to the council.

The report says:

“As noted above there is no policy basis for deferring the determination of this application until the West of Harrogate Parameters Plan is concluded.

“There is no reason to delay the determination of this application pending completion of the West of Harrogate Parameters Plan.”

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The report goes on to say that the development would make “a valuable contribution to meeting the district’s housing need”.

It recommends councillors approve the proposal at the planning committee meeting on December 7.

Homes England, the government housing agency, has permission to build 161 homes on the site on Yew Tree Lane but wants to increase this by 23% to 200 homes by building on a sports pitch.

Indicative masterplan of the homes on the former police training centre, as included in the planning documents.

The proposal has proved controversial with Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association, which said its faith in the planing system was being “severely tested” by the development.

A spokesperson for HAPARA said:

“HAPARA and the Western Arc Coordination Group will discuss our response very shortly, but the last time this went before committee we argued very strongly that any decision on this site before the parameters plan is agreed will jeopardise the objective of a joined-up approach to the developments and infrastructure on the west side of Harrogate and be contrary to the statements and assurances the community have been given by Harrogate Borough Council.

“Members agreed with this view.  The new officer’s report is based on a very narrow interpretation of the requirements of the Local Plan which was predicated on the earlier permission for 161 dwellings.  The current application is materially different in scale and content.”

Homes England has already appointed property company, Countryside Properties, to build the scheme as part of a £63 million contract.

The contract was awarded in March this year and runs until December 2026.

A Harrogate man who has worked on some of Hollywood’s biggest movies has just finished directing a film shot in Yorkshire.

Stuntman, actor and prop creator Joe Cash has appeared in films such as Jurassic World and Star Wars: Episode VII. He said his career highlight was being killed by Harrison’s Ford’s character Hans Solo whilst playing a Stormtrooper.

Mr Cash has now written, produced and directed Carnal Monsters, which was filmed at the former RAF Driffield base. The horror movie is due to go out in selected cinemas in January.

He told the Stray Ferret he began his film career in 2005 and soon realised “never to say no to an opportunity”. Since then he has made dinosaur heads for Jurassic World, worked on various Fast and Furious films and made a car for Dumbledore to drive in Fantastic Beasts.

He said he’d always been interested in directing his own films but it was only during lockdown that he had the time to explore it. Talking of his time in the director’s chair, Mr Cash said:

“I started experimenting with short films and then with covid a lot of jobs dried up so I made my first feature film, Jezebel. It did well and we got a lot of love for it so I decided to keep going.

“I’ll always keep going back to stunt and prop work but this is a new challenge which is a lot of fun too. We already have plans for a sequel too.”

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Carnal Monsters follows a group of prisoners as they discover a deserted lab in which scientists were trying to create a potion to cheat death.

The film also includes footage of Stan Lee, Marvel Comics creator, before he died.

Mr Cash said filming with a small cast and crew, due to covid, meant he could be more hands-on and really take it in his own direction. But he added he would only be able to assess the success of the film when it was released.

The Geek Bar on Bower Road in Harrogate has closed for good.

The board game bar and restaurant was opened in March last year by Alan Evans, who wanted to combine his love of geek culture with his background in hospitality.

It offered geek-themed cocktails and food as well as a Dungeons and Dragons table and a wide range of board games to play.

However, the landlord of the building has decided he needs the building for other purposes, so Geek Bar has had to move out.

The site was previously home to LeD2 restaurant for 15 years.

Mr Evans told the Stray Ferret:

“[The landlord] is turning it into office space I believe but I don’t know too much.

 “We are on good terms with him and he has been super reasonable with everything.

 “We are continuing our D&D sessions at my offices on Hornbeam Park. We are currently looking for a new site here in Harrogate and talking to a few people on using their space for potential pop ups in the new year.

 “We are super proud of the community we started and we hope to keep it going in whatever form it takes in the future.”

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A single mum with four children from Harrogate has opened up about her experience of struggling to pay the bills to try and break the stigma around poverty.

Kayleigh Cooper lost her job manning the phones in the evenings at a taxi company early in the coronavirus pandemic.

So overnight, after never worrying about money, she started to wonder how she could afford her rising living costs while also feeding her children.

She gets Universal Credit and food vouchers but they have not been able to cover her costs.

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Ms Cooper felt ashamed about her situation at first. But after reaching out for support, she now wants to let others know that they do not need to “suffer in silence” like she did. She said:

“I was really struggling to feed my children on a daily basis. A lot of people pretend they are doing alright, I have done it myself. But we need to talk about the issue otherwise it gets swept under the rug.

“For me I never had to worry about money before this. Since losing my job I have had to make those choices between paying the utility bills and buying food.

“It’s not just those without a job though, there are plenty of people with jobs who do not have enough money to live off too. Sometimes they struggle even more.

“My anxiety has been a lot worse. It really has had an impact on my mental health. However since reaching out for support I feel like I have had a weight taken off my shoulders.”

Reaching out for support at the new community grocery

A neighbour told Ms Cooper about the community grocery run by the Resurrected Bites team, which opened last month at New Park Primary Academy Community Hub.

She was hesitant at first but broke down in tears when she finally decided to go and ask for help.

People pay £5 a year to sign up as members and are then entitled to pay £3, £6 or £9 depending on the size of their family. The value of the items for the £3 shop would usually cost around £30.

She posted this picture online of a shop that cost her £9 to try and break the stigma.

It has a wide range of tinned, fresh food and frozen food. The shop also stocks toiletries, sanitary products and nappies in various sizes.

The shop, which can be found in one of the school’s separate buildings on West Street, just off Skipton Road, is open daily every Tuesday and Thursday between 9.30am and 3.30pm. Ms Cooper added:

“It has lightened me because I know even if I have £10 or £15 that week that I can go down to the community grocery and get meals for my children.

“I have used food banks in the past but I have had to pass things on because I won’t use it.

“So the beauty of it is that you get to choose what you take. They have everything you could need and the people there were so lovely.

“I wanted to post pictures so other people could see what they could get. I didn’t expect it but my post got a really positive response.”

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“Time people in favour of the Gateway plan came forward”

The question is often asked, “How should we reduce the vehicle traffic in Harrogate Town Centre?”. To me that is the wrong question. The real question is how can we reduce all vehicle traffic? We need to reduce vehicle traffic everywhere.

We need to travel less. Less journeys. Shorter journeys. And shift towards busses, trains, cycling and walking.

Why? Well because with a bigger population and increasing traffic we are polluting the global atmosphere and causing climate change.

The Gateway plan is something I welcome. It’s time that views in favour came forward, and I think there are plenty of reasons to favour the Gateway proposals. It will bring the centre of Harrogate back to being pleasant. Pleasant to walk, pleasant to cycle and pleasant to shop.

As a Knaresborough lad my first memories of Station Parade were being intrigued by the big statue. I was five years old, and my eldest brother carefully explained who Queen Victoria was and why her statue was there. There was two-way traffic then, it was 1959, but there was not a lot of traffic. It was a nice place to be. Another memory was in the late sixties and I was cycling as a young teenager. By then there was more traffic and the car was king.

Move forward through the nineteen nineties and the two lanes in one direction were becoming like a race-track, with pedestrians at various places waiting to cross. Not a nice place at all. So the thought of a single lane, one-way for drivers in Station Parade is very pleasant. No more cut and thrust with cars accelerating to stop the car alongside from getting past.

Being able to cycle either way will be pleasant, and with bus and railway stations being so close there will be so many ways to arrive at this pleasant area. With no traffic on James Street it will also become a pleasant area to wander, with more shops to browse and buy. This certainly seems the way forward to me, and should benefit everyone.

Andrew Willoughby, Knaresborough

‘We need to plan for a largely care free future’

Just wanted to say how much I support the comments made in the letter last week regarding the Station Gateway redevelopment and the potential for change it represents.

I continue to be amazed at the volume and speed of traffic in and around the town. We need prominent speed signs, a 20mph town wide zone, speed enforcement cameras and many more pedestrian controlled crossings.

We need to plan for a largely car free future with more reliance on public transport, cycling and walking.

Peter Whittingham, Harrogate

The Ambassador of Nicaragua, Guisell Morales-Echaverry, was in Harrogate on Friday night to congratulate a tobacconist for its sales of Nicaraguan cigars.

James Barber Tobacconist on Cold Bath Road sells over 100 different types of cigars from Nicaragua, which is a major cigar exporter with an industry worth $255m a year.

The unusual visit came about because this year Nicaragua is marking 200 years since Central America gained independence from the Spanish empire, so the country rewarded one of its top UK importers with a visit from its ambassador.

James Barber, the shop owner, said he felt “very honoured” to welcome her.

“Nicaragua makes very good cigars that compete with Cuba. Their construction of the cigars is fantastic.”

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Mr Barber said there was a booming trade in Harrogate for expensive cigars, with a Nicaraguan effort costing around £20.

Many people say cigars are an unhealthy and bad habit, but Mr Barber said they are “different from cigarettes”.

“You always get that, but you don’t inhale cigars and people tend to only smoke them on special occasions.”

Ms Morales-Echaverry attended a charity cigar-smoking event at Three’s A Crowd, with all money raised going to a charity of her choosing.

The Harrogate district has reported a further 111 covid cases, according to today’s government figures.

The district’s covid rate now stands at 516 infections per 100,000 people.

Across the county, the average stands at 511 and the England rate is 437.

No further deaths from patients who tested positive for covid have been reported at Harrogate District Hospital, according to NHS England.

As of Tuesday, 14 covid patients were being treated at Harrogate District Hospital which is a significant drop from last week.

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A 20-year-old Harrogate athlete is set to compete at the World Para Powerlifting this weekend when she has the chance to earn a place at the Commonwealth Games.

Charlotte McGuinness is lifting in the women up to 50kg category at the event in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi today and tomorrow.

While she is still unable to bring anyone with her due to coronavirus restrictions, her supporters are able to watch the competition on the Paralympic Games YouTube channel.

She studies Sport and Exercise Science at Leeds Trinity University but Charlotte is from and lives in Harrogate and is proud to represent her home town.

Her passion for the sport began while studying at St Aidan’s Church of England High School in Harrogate.

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Earlier this year we reported on how she won a bronze medal for Team GB at the Para Powerlifting World Cup in March.

That success in Manchester combined with a good result this weekend in Georgia would give Charlotte a good chance at qualifying for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next year.

She told the Stray Ferret ahead of the big day:

“It would be amazing because it’s a home Commonwealth Games, so that is my main aim.

“To be able to be one of the paralympic representatives of the town is cool. I am proud to fly the flag for Harrogate.

“I have had a couple of international experiences so I know what to expect now. With the event over two days recovery will be important. But I feel well prepared.”

It’s probably fair to say more parents dream of their children going to Oxford or Cambridge universities than Harrogate College.

But although an Oxford classics degree sounds impressive, a level 2 qualification in hairdressing or carpentry, or a motor vehicle diploma at the more humble Harrogate College could lead to a rewarding and better paid career.

The college, which has over 1,000 students, provides courses for 16 to 18-year-olds and adults in the Harrogate district as well as apprenticeships.

It specialises in vocational and technical training which, like the college itself, is enjoying a bit of a moment.

Many employers regard vocational training as the way to plug skills gaps in careers that are often well paid. As for the college, it has fresh impetus since it was acquired by Luminate Education Group two years ago.

Danny Wild, who became principal on the day Luminate took charge on August 1, 2019, says its £110 million turnover has injected vigour into the college. He adds:

“This was a college that had been unloved for a number of years in terms of its investment in people and resources.

“The most telling thing was the college had lost its connection with the community. There was a lack of understanding about what the college did and its purpose.”

Business links

The facilities on Hornbeam Park today are impressive. They include a professional kitchen, hair salon and beauty room and workshops for brick work, motor vehicles and welding.

The college caters for the Harrogate district and many local employers are desperate for staff in these areas.

Harrogate College

Twenty-six employers attended last month’s inaugural meeting of the college’s new employers’ network, which gives local firms the chance to discuss their training needs. Their feedback will enable the college to adapt its curriculum accordingly.

The district has many small, niche companies and Mr Wild says the college can provide the flexibility to meet their training needs. He talks about putting on courses for 10 to 12 people in areas where skills gaps exist. Companies could just send a single member of staff.

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He cites digital health care as an example. He says it is one of the fastest growing employment areas in the district but staff sometimes lack the softer skills to match their IT ability so the college could adapt its digital IT courses to include customer training.

Mr Wild says the two sectors that employ most people in the district are hospitality and the visitor economy and care. North Yorkshire, he says, is second only to Cornwall in visitor numbers and “we are so used to care we underestimate its value”.

This close understanding of the local labour market, and its trends, will enable the college and businesses to work fruitfully together, he adds.

Apprenticeships

The college provides courses for 16 to 18-year-olds and adults as well as apprenticeships.

Mr Wild also describes apprenticeships as a “real growth area in the Harrogate district”. He adds:

“The government has definitely raised the profile of vocational and technical education and is continuing to talk about its importance.

“But if we are going to have a world-leading, highly skilled workforce that requires investment and we continue to lag behind the investment that gets put into school children.”

The college will also start offering new T-levels in health, education and childcare and digital and IT from September next year.

T Levels, which are equivalent to 3 A-levels, are two-year courses introduced last year to meet the needs of industry.

Mr Wild, who lives in Boroughbridge and has a degree in sport and geography, says T-Levels “will become an important part of what the college offers”.

Green ambitions

The college also aspires to become a green centre of excellence. It hosted the opening event of this year’s Harrogate District Climate Action Festival and wants to make its site a green centre of excellence.

The college attended the COP26 UN climate change conference in Glasgow and was highly commended at the national Green Gown Awards for its work on sustainability. It is also delivering its first retro fit courses for homes in January.

The college also expects to hear from the Department for Education in the new year whether its application for funding to demolish its main block, which was built in the 1950s as offices, and build a new one on the site of the car park is successful.

Mr Wild, who previously worked at Leeds City College, another Luminate organisation. says the current building is not fit for purpose and the new one would be far more energy-efficient.

Away from work, he enjoys “all things food” and describes himself as an “outdoorsy person” who is often found walking his dogs on the North Yorkshire moors. His background is as a rugby coach.

But his focus now is on championing the college and the kind of education it provides.

“For people who are clear about what career they want to go into or have a strong interest in a particular sector you can follow that passion and study on a vocational or technical course.

“The most important thing for Harrogate College is that the reputation of the college continues to grow so people recognise it as the provider of vocational and technical education in the Harrogate district.”

After last year’s Christmas’s party season (if you can call it that) turned out to be a huge disappointment, this year we’re going all out.

And we are all definitely going out, out.

That means sequins, glitter, dressing up, standing out and generally getting into party spirit like never before – Harrogate is ready!

With everything from Christmas parties to festive dinners, and of course the big day itself to prepare for, we’ve spoken to three women from the town’s beauty industry to give you a helping hand with your festive beauty prep.

Hair

‘Caramel brownie’ beach waves at Meraki Harrogate

Wella master colour expert Sarah Townend, owns Meraki Harrogate Salon and Luxury Blow-Dry Bar, in the Westminster Arcade. 

What are your top tips for getting ready for a Christmas party?

1. PLANNING. Make sure you have planned your outfit, how your makeup is going to look and obviously what you want your hair to look like.
2. Book yourself in for a blow-dry. It creates one less job for you to do whilst getting ready and you know it is going to last you all night from dinner and drinks, to dancing the night away!
3. Find a great playlist to have on in the background whilst you get ready. Whether it’s upbeat Christmas songs or the charts, it’ll definitely get you in the dancing, merry mood.

What are this year’s hair trends? Have you noticed a particular style that is being requested more than others?

The classic beach waves is a go-to with stylists and clients. It is one of those fantastic hairstyles that you can dress up or dress down and looks amazing on everybody.

Have you noticed that you are more busy than usual this year? If so, do you think this is because people are desperate to get glammed up?

Absolutely! Our blow-dry bar has been busier than ever, with everyone wanting the luxury of getting pampered before their big night out.

Are you going to a Christmas party this year? What are you most looking forward to? 

We’ve opted for a low-key Christmas party this year due to the busyness of the salon and the blow-dry bar. A few drinks and fantastic company is all we need.

Brows and lashes

This year’s lash trends include hybrid, volume and classic lashes

Nikolett Taba, is a lash and brow stylist and owns The Lash Room at The Coach House, Victoria Avenue, which she opened in August.

What are your top tips for getting ready for a Christmas party?

1. Treat yourself to semi-permanent eyelashes. Luscious lashes will add the perfect finishing touch to your Christmas party looks.
2. Get your brows done by a professional stylist. This would be a perfect combination with your lashes and save you time while you getting ready for the party.
3. If you would like to spice it up, you never can go wrong with a red lipstick to finish the party look.

What are this year’s brow and lash trends? Have you noticed a particular style that is being requested more than others?

This year definitely brow lamination is the hottest trend for brows. Brow lamination, also referred to as a ‘brow lift’, is a service that creates the look of full, fluffy brows by realigning the directional hair growth and enhancing the brow shape.

This year’s lash trends include hybrid, volume and classic lashes. For those who like the natural look, it’s the lash lift with a tint.

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Have you noticed that you are more busy than usual this year? If so, do you think this is because people are desperate to get glammed up?

For a year, most of us had the same hobbies. Watching Netflix, baking banana bread or walking to the park. Most of the time we have worn loungewear with a mask covering our face.

So I think we are all more than ready and excited than ever for this year’s Christmas season, having people around us and spending quality time with friends and family.

Are you going to a Christmas party this year? What are you most looking forward to? 

I am going out for a work Christmas do at the beginning of December to Lucia.

At the end of December I have hired a room with my friend to celebrate New Year and spend some much needed time together! I can’t wait to dance, eat and enjoy each other’s company!

Nails

Gold-tipped nails add some festive glamour

Helen Wren is a nail artist, who launched a salon at her home on Cold Bath Road, Harrogate, 12 months ago.

What are your top tips for getting ready for a Christmas party?

1. Try your best to plan your outfit and stick to it. Try it on before so you know you’re 100 per cent comfortable and know you’re feeling your best.
2. Prep anything you can a day or even two days before if possible! I like to false tan a couple of nights before just so it settles a little and looks natural.
3. If you’re having a cheeky alcoholic beverage or two, then be sure to hydrate lots before you even start. Hydration is key to everything beauty in my opinion. Nails, hair, skin. Especially during party season!

What are this year’s nail trends? Have you noticed a particular style that is being requested more than others?

Some of the trends in nail art right now are fantastic. Some crazy, graphic bright colours and even textures. Then some beautifully understated nude or simple colours and designs. It’s such a fun creative industry to be in.

One thing is for sure you cannot escape the glitter at Christmas. Be it very minimal and soft over a nude colour, or deep disco party vibes. It’s a win!

Greens are having a massive moment right now and I think this will carry through the festive season, plus a simple gold foil tip. Minimal but super glamorous.

Lastly for me, you cannot beat a classic short, clean Christmas candy red!

Have you noticed that you are more busy than usual this year? If so, do you think this is because people are desperate to get glammed up?

So I can’t actually compare to this time last year, as I was literally about to launch my new business. I started trading on December 1, 2020, so I’m coming up to my first birthday.

I feel very lucky to have the support and lovely clients I do, but I can tell you December is nearly fully-booked so Harrogate is DEFINITELY getting party ready!

Are you going to a Christmas party this year? What are you most looking forward to? 

I will of course be going Christmas partying this year. In fact, last weekend was my first! Being self-employed and working alone there’ll be no works do for me, but getting out with the girls, be it dinner, drinks and dancing – all three I hope – I absolutely can’t wait.

Merry Christmas Harrogate!