‘Temporary’ fencing at Crescent Gardens remains two years on – but why?Council to agree first-ever homelessness and rough sleeping strategyGovernment praises council’s rough sleeping provision in HarrogateRipon rough sleeping event helps homeless‘No plans’ to remove fencing in Harrogate’s Crescent GardensHarrogate’s Crescent Gardens fencing to remain for ‘foreseeable future’

Fencing put up in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens six months ago shows no sign of being removed.

Fences were erected to block a group of rough sleepers last October, who set up an encampment in the pavilion.

It came after nearby residents complained of anti-social behaviour from the rough sleepers, who were removed from the site after two weeks.

The Stray Ferret followed the saga closely at the time – and in the months following – and has repeatedly tried to find out what long-term measures would be put in place to prevent similar encampments and help those needing accommodation.

However, six months on, the fencing look set to remain indefinitely.

When we approached North Yorkshire Council for an update, Karl Battersby, the council’s corporate director for environment, said:

“The temporary fencing will remain up for the foreseeable future until a further solution can be found.

“We are working with Harrogate Business Improvement District with a view to wrapping it with images of the town/area in the short term.”

Matthew Chapman, chief executive of Harrogate BID, said the organisation held talks with the council along these lines before Christmas, and it was willing to “re-open that conversation”.

Rough sleepers offered ‘support and accommodation daily’

The Stray Ferret also asked what provisions are in place to help homeless people in Harrogate.

Kim Robertshaw, the council’s head of housing needs, said:

“We have a proactive rough sleeper team that engages with people at risk of rough sleeping on a daily basis, offering support and accommodation.

“We hope this consistent approach continues to reduce the number of instances where encampments are created in Harrogate. Where incidents do occur we work with partners to resolve issues as quickly as we can.”

The news comes just weeks after the Stray Ferret’s Trading Hell series, which investigated the anti-social behaviour faced by business owners in Harrogate.

Some traders did not feel confident that such offences would be dealt with by authorities, and some even pointed the finger at rough sleepers as the root cause.

You can read our Trading Hell feature on homeless charity, Harrogate Homeless Project, here.

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Miriam Margolyes visits Harrogate Homeless Project

Miriam Margolyes took time out from her book tour to visit Harrogate Homeless Project this morning.

The actor, who starred in Harry Potter, was in Harrogate to publicise her latest book, Oh Miriam! She appeared at Harrogate Convention Centre last night and will be in York this evening.

Ms Margolyes visited staff and service users at Springboard Day Centre, which provides food, shower and washing facilities, skills workshops, activities, psychotherapy, medical services and housing advice to homeless people.

Harrogate Homeless Project runs the day centre at the Wesley Centre on Oxford Street in Harrogate. It also operates a 16-bed hostel on Bower Street and move-on housing for those wishing to escape homelessness.

Ms Margolyes said:

“I was honoured to visit the Harrogate Homeless Project and witness at first-hand the remarkable dedication of staff and volunteers and their powerful work, transforming lives. It’s essential that we all address the issue of homelessness with compassion and empathy.”

Clair Challenor-Chadwick, a trustee of the charity, said Ms Margolyes “didn’t hesitate to visit the project when asked”, adding:

“It’s her unwavering commitment to social causes, her kindness, and absolute belief in fairness and justice that truly sets her apart.”

Miriam Margoyles with Harrogate Homeless Project today. Pic: Gerard Binks

With chief executive Francis McAllister. Pic: Gerard Binks

Chief executive Francis McAllister said the visit would raise awareness about homelessness.

“Her visit will undoubtedly throw a spotlight on this cause, and I hope her compassion inspires the wider community to come together and make a difference in the lives of those in need.”

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Former homeless hostel in Harrogate to be converted to flats

Councillors have approved a plan to convert former homeless hostel Cavendish House in Harrogate into six apartments.

The hostel on Robert Street was operated by Harrogate Borough Council from 1983 until its closure in November 2021.

In 2021, the council opened a new homeless centre called Fern House in Starbeck.

Cavendish House had nine bedsits which will be converted into six self-contained flats and sold by the council through shared ownership schemes.

A-two storey flat roof extension to the rear of the building will be demolished under the plans.

The application from North Yorkshire Council was considered by councillors on the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee last week.

Air source heat pumps will be fitted to the building but Paul Haslam, the Conservative councillor for Nidd Gorge and Bilton, said the council could do more to make it energy efficient for residents.

He said:

“We need to add a condition so that this is retrofitted to the highest standard, particularly as we own it”.

However, Cllr Haslam was told by council planning officer John Worthington that internal alternations were not planning matters.

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The decision to fit UPVC windows was criticised by Hannah Gostlow, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Knaresborough East, who said she would prefer them to choose wood.

But John Mann, the Conservative councillor for Pannal and Oatlands, said UPVC windows were cheaper and more effective than traditional windows.

He said:

“We do need to save the planet and try and reduce emissions. In my experience, what people are looking for is warm homes that save electricity and don’t cost a fortune to heat.

“One of the advantages of UPVC windows is they are really warm if they’re double-glazed and save on electricity bills. Wooden windows cost a fortune and they’re not very warm.”

The plans were approved by six votes to none with Cllr Gostlow abstaining.

Metal fences put up around Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens pavilion

Metal fences have been put up to prevent people entering the pavilion in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens.

The fences, which appeared this morning, were erected following a two-week occupation of the pavilion by a group of rough sleepers this month.

The group set up camp in the pavilion and have returned at least twice since they were dispersed last Friday in an operation carried out by North Yorkshire Council and North Yorkshire Police

The encampment led nearby residents to express concerns about anti-social behaviour and a lack of action from the council and police.

The pavilion encampment

How it looks this morning.

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The group returned to the pavilion on Sunday evening and again on Tuesday morning — but were removed again both times.

The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council earlier this week what legal powers it used to disperse the people in the pavilion and what action it planned to take to prevent repeat occupations but has not yet received a response.

Rough sleepers return to Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens

A group of rough sleepers has repeatedly returned to Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens – just days after being moved on.

The group’s two-week occupation of the pavilion in the gardens sparked concerns about anti-social-behaviour.

It was finally dispersed by North Yorkshire Council and North Yorkshire Police on Friday last week.

However, the group returned on Sunday evening — and again this morning.

Nearby resident Kirk Wilber-Moran said:

“They came back Sunday night but were moved on early yesterday morning.

“However, they came back again this morning and not just in the bandstand — three were stood in an empty shop doorway drinking cider at 6.45am this morning.

“There’s roughly 10 people, some I have seen previously but some new faces too. They’ve not managed to establish a full set-up like before.”

The rough sleepers were removed again this morning.

The Stray Ferret first reported the encampment two weeks ago after residents raised concerns about anti-social behaviour and a lack of action from the council and police.

Following the move-on operation, residents also wanted to know what measures would be taken to resolve similar situations in the future.

The Stray Ferret has asked the council what measures it has taken to prevent repeat occupations.

Andrew Rowe, the council’s assistant director of housing, said this morning:

“We worked with the police last week to ensure that advice and support was offered to all the individuals who were congregating in the Crescent Gardens.

“It’s important to note that not all of these individuals are homeless or rough sleepers, however, offers of support and accommodation were made to all those who needed it. We understand that despite being encouraged to move on by the police a number of people have returned to the area.

“We will continue to work with all agencies to find solutions to this issue.”

North Yorkshire Police declined to add to a statement it gave last week, which described the situation as “complex” and said it was working with partners and residents to find a solution for everyone.

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