Knaresborough Town Council Archives - Page 4 of 6

Knaresborough amusement arcade set to be approved

An amusement arcade looks set to open on the site of a former building society in Knaresborough.

The High Street gaming centre will be open to over-18s between 9am and 10pm.

North Yorkshire Council planning officer Sam Witham has recommended councillors approve the scheme when they meet next week — despite objections from Knaresborough Town Council and three residents.

They were concerned about noise, the impact on the High Street appearance and anti-social behaviour.

Carl Bearman, director of a company formed in January called Spectacular Bid, applied to change the use of vacant premises at 30 High Street.

The site, which is on the corner of Knaresborough High Street and Park Place in Knaresborough Conservation Area, was home to Yorkshire Building Society until March 2018.

Mr Whitham’s report to councillors says the location is within the primary shopping area of Knaresborough, complies with the Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines where development can take place, and would not harm the character and appearance of the conservation area. It says:

“Subject to conditions, the proposal is acceptable with regards to its impact on neighbouring amenity, and in particular the impact of noise on the residential flats above the ground floor unit subject to this proposal.”

The report adds:

“The proposed use would bring about the re-use of the property and it is not considered that the use would be incompatible with the town centre location.”

One of the conditions attached to approving the scheme is that machines must not to operate at more than 25% volume.

Councillors on the Liberal Democrat-controlled 13-person Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee will decide whether to accept the recommendation to approve the scheme when they meet on Tuesday next week.

Residents object to plans for new Knaresborough development

About 30 Knaresborough residents and the town council have objected to plans to build nine flats on the site of one of the town’s oldest houses and its garden.

Paul Franklin has submitted plans to demolish the property and build the homes on land off Stockwell Road.

Mr Franklin said the scheme would “provide local people a quality and sustainable place to live and enjoy Knaresborough”.

But some 30 objections have been made to the North Yorkshire Council, which will approve or reject the application. The decision will either be made by the council’s planning committee, which consists of elected councillors, or by an individual planning officer.

The objectors include Knaresborough Town Council, which said in its submission the development would be “overbearing and will overlook neighbouring properties particularly gardens affecting other residents privacy”, create parking problems and increase congestion.

It added trees were removed from the site during nesting season and the application was “not sufficiently different from the previous one” refused in 2007.

Its concluded:

“Knaresborough Town Council ask that the application is strongly rejected and that it should go to the North Yorkshire Council’s planning committee for consideration.”

A group of residents recently asked to meet the Stray Ferret at the site to voice their concerns.

Estelle Green, whose garden on St Margaret’s Road has traditionally overlooked trees, now faces the prospect of neighbours being able to see into her home. She said:

“Our community is devastated, we are all standing together.”

The green area where the flats would be built.

Ann Briscoe agreed, adding:

“We would lose our privacy and the scheme is completely out of keeping with the area.”

Tony Sandland said traffic problems and pollution were major concerns, along with fears that concreting over the garden would increase the risk of flooding.

The objections submitted on the council website include concerns about the scheme worsening “gridlock across the railway bridge” on Stockwell Road, the “inadequate” number of parking places in a residential area close to the town centre, a GP surgery and schools.

There is also concern about the loss of the current stone building, which one objector says is “steeped in history, farming, once a bakery and many years ago a sweetshop”.

Another objection says the size of the proposed three-storey development, overlooking two-storey properties, “is completely out of proportion and would lead not only to a loss of privacy but to a significant loss in natural light”.

There are fears the development will heighten parking difficulties on adjoining St Margaret’s Road.

‘Quality and sustainable places to live’

A design and access statement submitted as part of the planning process said the applicant has identified a need for housing in the specific area and “the proposals will have no detrimental effect to the surrounding properties”.

The Stray Ferret asked Mr Franklin to respond to concerns. He said:

“For over 12 months we have been in consultation with the council. Under the guidance of external consultees, we have carefully designed a scheme to provide local people a quality and sustainable place to live and enjoy Knaresborough.

“Comments have been received from local residents mainly covering historically-recurring issues which need to be raised with the relevant bodies – Yorkshire Water, highways authority etc.

“Knaresborough has a rich history, but the site is not a historical asset or listed building and is beyond economical repair despite significant investment during ownership.

“Our garden was cleared of nettles, perennial weeds and thistles and four disease-ridden / choked trees over the past two years. Felling of diseased trees was done outside of nesting season, and no Tree Protection Orders were in place.

“For further comment, please see the responses made to individual commentators that will be submitted to the council as part of the consultation.”

Knaresborough mayor wants to ‘give back’ to new home

A new Mayor of Knaresborough has been elected at the annual meeting of the town council.

Cllr Hannah Gostlow, who has been a councillor since 2015, said she hoped to use her year for the benefit of a town which had made her welcome when she moved there.

She said:

“Since moving to Knaresborough 10 years ago, I have been in awe of this beautiful town and welcoming community.

“It is a place you want to give back to – so I am honoured to be given this opportunity and promise to work hard to champion our wonderful town as mayor.”

As well as sitting on Knaresborough Town Council, Cllr Gostlow represents Knaresborough East on North Yorkshire Council after being elected for the Liberal Democrats last year.

Her election as mayor was witnessed by mayors of neighbouring towns and representatives of community groups in Knaresborough at the annual meeting.

Cllr Gostlow’s chosen charities for the year will be Inspire Youth and Knaresborough Community Energy Limited. She added:

“The sense of community is so strong. We are spoilt by the number of events throughout the year, delivered with such creativity and enthusiasm, thriving independent businesses, schools, church communities, and there are so many amazing community groups, run and supported by dedicated individuals.

“So, when it came to choosing the charity to support, it was a very difficult decision.”

Towns gear up for coronation weekend across Harrogate district

Bunting, flags and even a giant crown have been appearing across the Harrogate district as preparations get under way for the coronation weekend.

Shops, cafes, hotels and community centres have all been adorned with union flags and royal symbols ready for the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday.

Among the most eye-catching displays is a huge crown added to the Market Cross in Knaresborough today. It has been created by members of Knaresborough Flower Club, with a £300 grant from Knaresborough Town Council.

The crown was put together in the conservatory at club chairman Lesley Dalton’s home. She said:

“One of the girls worked out we had spent 100 hours on it – and that’s without the time spent travelling to buy supplies and so on.

“We’ve had flowers round the Market Cross every time there has been a big occasion like the Queen’s funeral and the jubilee last year. We try to put Knaresborough Market on the map!”

Club members Margaret Darley, Maureen Robinson, Dorothy Gerrard, Julie Ward, Trish Hesford and Cath Oldfield were instrumental in its design and manufacture, as well as adding the flowers to the sculpture.

They spent almost six hours today putting it all together and will be out watering it regularly until it is taken down on Sunday, May 14.

Meanwhile, shops around the town have also got into the spirit, with plenty of bunting on show in their windows.

Harrogate has also got into the coronation spirit.

Supplies shop Party Fever, on Lower Station Parade, has been inundated with customers this week.

Owner Sue Saville and her team have been answering requests for themed plates, napkins, balloons, flags, hats and more, with demand growing over the last few days.

The shop will be open all day tomorrow and on Saturday morning from 9am to 11am for last-minute shoppers.

The Stray Ferret will be out and about across the Harrogate district this weekend, reporting on how our communities are marking the historic event.

Send us details and photos of your event by email and keep an eye on our live blog for the latest pictures and news from around the area.

Still looking for things to do this weekend? Check out our list of local events.

Two children admit Knaresborough graffiti outbreak

Two children have admitted being responsible for an outbreak of graffiti in Knaresborough.

Graffiti appeared throughout the town early this month, including on Knaresborough House and on High Bond End and Boroughbridge Road.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said today:

“Following enquiries, those who were responsible for the graffiti — two children aged 14 and 15 — have been identified and have taken responsibility.

“They have agreed to a community resolution disposal and will be taking part in removing the graffiti and will be receiving an appropriate educational and restorative input to teach them about impact of graffiti on the community and local businesses.”

Community resolution disposals are usually issued to remorseful first-time offenders and do not constitute a criminal record.

Some of the recent graffiti

The clerk of Knaresborough Town Council told the Stray Ferret it had been “very concerned about the amount of graffiti” that had appeared recently.

The clerk said individual councillors had been trying to tackle the problem with the help of CCTV, adding:

“Knaresborough Town Council is currently asking for more CCTV coverage behind Knaresborough House.”

She added the mayor, Cllr Kathryn Davies recently organised a drop-in session with the police on Stockwell estate following reports of anti social behaviour in that area.

Graffiti at Knaresborough House

Support for plans to twin Knaresborough with town in Ukraine

Knaresborough could be twinned with a town in Ukraine in a show of support and solidarity from the town council.

Councillors last night voted in favour of writing to the mayor of Volodymyr in western Ukraine with the proposal, after a motion was put forward by Cllr David Goode.

The meeting saw a presentation by Bob Frendt, the retired lorry driver from Knaresborough who last year made six trips to deliver aid to people affected by Russia’s invasion of the country.

Mr Frendt said:

“I addressed Knaresborough Town Council and they agreed to my request to twin Knaresborough with Volodymyr in Ukraine to promote cultural, education, commercial and sporting links between our two towns going forward.

“I am very proud and pleased to have got this twinning project through.”

Cllr Goode described Mr Frendt as a “force of nature” and said his hard work to deliver medical equipment as well as toys to Ukraine had inspired the town twinning committee to back the idea.

Mr Frendt had already broached the subject with the mayor of Volodymyr and had an enthusiastic response. Now Cllr Goode’s proposal has been voted through by Knaresborough Town Council, a letter will be sent to the mayor to formalise the plans.

Cllr Goode said there would be some details to work out over the exact wording of the twinning agreement. If the councils in both Volodymyr and Knaresborough are happy with the wording, the twinning will be made official.

However, the arrangement is likely to be less active than the 50-year twinning agreement with Bebra in Germany, which has seen partnerships between groups including Knaresborough Silver Band, civic organisations and local schools.

Cllr Goode said:

“I think, at this stage, it’s more moral support and commitment to the people in Volodymyr, as much for them to know there’s another group of people out there really thinking about them and what they are going through.

“There’s also an element of continuing to support Bob in what he’s doing.

“That’s what came across to the town council in terms of introducing the motion. It might not be a massive commitment, but it’s something more we are doing than just flying the flag in front of Knaresborough House.”

Cllr Goode said he was hopeful Ukrainians who had moved to Knaresborough since the war began last year would be keen to get involved if the twinning project went ahead.

Meanwhile, Mr Frendt will set off on another trip to Ukraine tomorrow afternoon. He will drive his lorry through Europe to Volodymyr to deliver supplies – including 200 Easter eggs donated by people and businesses in Knaresborough.

As with previous trips, his lorry has been filled with donated medical supplies, and has raised funds to cover insurance, fuel and other expenses, as well as using his own money.

Individuals or businesses wanting to offer support can email him, or call him on 07836 514952.

Public meeting to save River Nidd in Knaresborough from ‘ecological disaster’

A public meeting is being held in Knaresborough this month as part of a campaign to achieve bathing water status on part of the River Nidd.

Concerns about Nidd water quality increased last summer amid reports of numerous people falling ill.

Nidd Action Group, which includes individual Knaresborough town councillors, environmental campaigners, anglers, councillors and community groups, is holding the meeting at Gracious Street Methodist Church on March 14.

Members of the public are invited to attend to find out how they can get involved.

The action group was formed after Nidd Catchment Angling Group held a meeting in October last year to address water quality concerns.

The action group aims to achieve bathing water status at the Lido, which would oblige the Environment Agency to put plans in place to monitor and protect the water.

Knaresborough town councillor Shan Oakes said:

“The campaign is focussing on raising public awareness and initially getting bathing water status for parts of the Nidd near the town including the Lido – which would then lead to an imperative to clean up the whole river.”

Academics and research students from the University of Leeds will give short talks at the meeting on the issues and those involved will answer questions.

A leaflet advertising the event says the Nidd “is facing ecological disaster due to pollution (especially sewage)”.

It adds:

“Presentations will be repeated each hour—3.30pm, 4.30pm, 5.30pm, 6pm so it doesn’t matter what time you turn up: any time between 3-6pm.

“This event is a conversation: the campaign team would like to hear about how you use and value the river.

“There will be opportunity to join the campaign as a volunteer, and also to sign up to take part in bathing water status consultation this summer—an essential step towards a ‘Cleaner Nidd, Fit for Life’.”

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has also been campaigning for bathing water status on the Nidd. It is understood a member of his staff will attend the meeting.

Last year Wolvercote Mill Stream in Oxford became only the second inland waterway in the country, after the River Wharfe in Ilkley, to be awarded bathing water status by the government.

Double devolution could be ‘fundamental gamechanger’ for Knaresborough, says councillor

A Knaresborough councillor has said double devolution could be a “fundamental gamechanger” for the town.

It follows a meeting of Knaresborough Town Council this week where town councillors backed submitting an expression of interest to North Yorkshire County Council to become part of a pilot scheme that could eventually see the town council run Knaresborough’s Wednesday market.

Knaresborough has held a weekly market since 1310, which it claims makes it the longest continually-run market in the country.

It’s currently run by Harrogate Borough Council but that will all change from April 1 when control will be handed to the new North Yorkshire Council unitary authority.

If the expression of interest is successful, the town council would work with officers at North Yorkshire Council to develop a business case for potentially running the market.

This process would take around 12 months before a final decision is made by on whether Knaresborough is one of six pilot double devolution projects.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr David Goode said developing a business case would be an important experience to understand the processes, procedures and skills required to make double devolution bids.

He pointed to the example of Falmouth Town Council in Cornwall, which was not running any services 20 years ago but now employs 42 people and is a multi-million-pound operation.

He said:

“That’s the sort of massive change we’re looking at but it won’t happen overnight.”

Cllr Goode was keen to stress that if the town council were to ultimately run the market it would not necessarily mean an increase in its council tax precept.

The North Yorkshire Council budget for the market would be transferred to the town council as part of a legal agreement. This would commit the council to maintaining at least the same level and standard of service currently delivered on a permanent basis.

If the town council wanted to make enhancements to the market, it may have to meet the associated costs, but Cllr Goode said it would ask Knaresborough residents for their opinion before any decision was made.

He believes that good consultation will crucial if double devolution is to be a success.

Cllr Goode said:

“I firmly believe that if there is an enhancement to the market, that needs to be a ground-up decision from the community and not at the whim of councillors.”

Knaresborough Town Council to consider bid to run market

Knaresborough Town Council could bid to run the town’s weekly market.

Town councillor David Goode will ask members at a meeting this evening to back his plan that would see the council take control of Knaresborough Market as part of a devolution pilot scheme.

The market is currently run by Harrogate Borough Council but this will all change from April 1 when the new unitary authority North Yorkshire Council is created.

A central pledge in the case for local government reorganisation was that town and parish councils would be handed more powers if they could make successful business cases — a policy known as ‘double devolution’,

Some councillors in Knaresborough, like in Ripon, are hoping to grasp a rare opportunity to take back assets that were handed over to Harrogate the last time reorganisation took place in 1974.

Weekly market since 1310

Knaresborough has held a weekly market since 1310, which it claims makes it the longest continually-run market in the country.

Each Wednesday, traders sell fruit and veg, cheese, cakes and clothes and more—plus there’s a boisterous weekly address from town cryer Roger Hewitt.

There have been previous attempts by groups in Knaresborough to take control of the market but Cllr Goode told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that “the time is right” thanks to local government reorganisation.

He said:

“The market is the beating heart of the town and it’s a jewel we should be protecting. Running it at a local level has a better chance of it being successful than in Northallerton.”

If he’s backed by his fellow councillors tonight, an expression of interest will be submitted to North Yorkshire County Council next month.

Knaresborough Town Council charges a precept on residents’ council tax.

If it took control of the market, Cllr Goode said it could mean an increase in this precept. However, he added that “shoving money on the precept is totally the wrong mindset” when it comes to double devolution.

Traders and Harrogate Borough Council have had a difficult relationship in recent years but Cllr Goode said the town council would be able to give the market a clearer focus and help to reinvigorate it.

He added:

“I’ve been down the last two Wednesdays and the market place is half-full, but it’s part of the rich story Knaresborough has to tell.

“There’s a lot more that we could do. For example, we should be doing more for the elderly and people on low incomes to show them what advantages they can receive by shopping at the market.”

Knaresborough groups seek funding to progress road train idea

Groups in Knaresborough are set to apply for funding to investigate the feasibility of major new schemes for the town, including a road train.

Knaresborough and District Chamber, Knaresborough Town Council and Knaresborough Museum Association will be among those submitting a bid to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The UK government created the fund for schemes that encourage local investment and regeneration. It replaces European Union structural funds.

Up to £16.9 million is available in North Yorkshire and £2 million will be awarded in the first year of funding, which is due to open for applications shortly.

This month’s Knaresborough and District Chamber meeting heard it was collaborating with other town groups to formulate a bid for about £40,000 to £50,000.

Peter Lacey, executive member of the chamber, said if funding were awarded it would enable the town to undertake research into four priority areas: heritage, connectivity, developing economic data, and street enhancements.

The land train, which would take people up and down the steep slope between the town centre and Waterside, would fall into the connectivity area. He said:

“The fund would finance fuller feasibility and evidence-gathering to build the case for local capacity-building.”

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Weekly market since 1310

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