Council submits plans for new Knaresborough leisure centre

Harrogate Borough Council has submitted plans for a new multi-million pound leisure centre in Knaresborough.

It is anticipated that, with approval from the council’s planning committee, construction could start on the facility as early as spring next year. It is expected to take 18 months to build.

Under the plans, the new building would be built on the playground to the rear of the existing pool, which would remain open during the work.

The new leisure centre will include a six-lane 25 metre pool, a learner pool with flume, sauna and steam room, fitness suite and studio, cafe, electric car charging points, bicycle storage and play area.

A public consultation held by the council earlier this month received 209 responses. Of those responses 54% were positive and 25% were neutral about the scheme.

However, local resident David Hull, who launched the ‘Not On Fysche Field’ campaign has criticised the plans over the loss of the existing play park. The council has said it will create a new play park on the site.

The plans have been altered to change the brickwork and cladding, to remove the glazing in an effort to reduce light pollution. There are also changes to the type of trees that will be planted.

An aerial view of the plans.

Trevor Watson, Harrogate Borough Council’s director of economy, environment and housing, said:

“It is clear residents are keen for us to provide modern and fit-for-purpose leisure facilities in the east of the district that complement the surrounding area, while also ensuring we retain the existing pool while the new facility is built.

“It has also allowed us to address any concerns and tailor the scheme where practically possible.

“I’m confident that the revised scheme will encourage a healthier and more active lifestyle and something Knaresborough residents will be proud of.”

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Mark Tweedie, managing director of Brimhams Active, the company set up by the council to run its leisure facilities, said:

“Through the provision of fantastic modern leisure and wellness facilities and engaging, inclusive services we will be able to help many more people become active, lead healthier lifestyles and therefore live longer, more independent and happier lives.”

River Nidd a ‘potential health risk’ after MPs’ vote on sewage

Residents have said MPs voting against an amendment to stop raw sewage being pumped into rivers have created a “potential health risk” in the River Nidd.

Last week, MPs voted 268 to 204 against the Lords amendment, which means water companies such as Yorkshire Water can continue pumping raw sewage into British rivers.

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough was among those voting against the amendment.

Last year, every section of the Nidd that runs through the Harrogate district failed water pollution tests due to wastewater contamination – including raw sewage.

The Nidd is used for recreation by families, swimmers and even competitors in Knaresborough Bed Race. Some have expressed disappointment at the MPs’ vote.

Jacqui Renton, from Knaresborough, who swims in the Nidd as part of her training for a British championships open water swimming competition, said:

“Last year the River Nidd failed water pollution tests due to the river being contaminated with wastewater. This included raw sewage, making swimming in it a potential health risk.

“More worryingly, raw sewage being discharged into our rivers of course has a bigger consequence for wildlife, threatening the biodiversity and ecosystem health, which is why urgent action is needed.”

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A section of the river in Knaresborough is also used by competitors in the annual bed race. Kevin Lloyd, chairman of the bed race committee, urged Yorkshire Water to stop pumping sewage into the river on the day of the event.

However, Mr Lloyd said more action was needed:

“Any initiative that protects the environment is a good thing so I am disappointed at this defeat.

“Yorkshire Water are sympathetic to the event and do what they can but there’s always more that can be done to protect the environment.”

Nidd a ‘huge leisure attraction’

Cllr Hannah Gostlow, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough Scriven Park on Harrogate Borough Council, also raised concerns as a councillor and local resident.

She said the Nidd was a “huge leisure attraction” used by paddle boarders and young children.

She added:

“The River Nidd is already polluted with wastewater, including with raw sewage, and failed recent pollution tests. The government should be stopping sewage going into our rivers full stop.”

The Stray Ferret contacted Mr Jones about the issue but he declined to reply.

However, he said on his Community News website that he would support a new amendment to the government’s Environment Bill providing a costed plan to reduce sewage in our waterways. He said:

“It would not be sensible to support such a complicated change without having a costed plan. This is what the Lords amendment lacked and why I did not support it.”

Harrogate cancer survivor urges women to check their breasts

A Harrogate breast cancer survivor is urging people to check their breasts and contact their GP with any concerns.

Annette Ward was diagnosed with breast cancer in June last year after noticing a lump and a change in the shape of her breast.

Ms Ward, 61, spoke to her GP and was referred to hospital for further tests. She was then told that she had cancer.

It was diagnosed as primary breast cancer, which meant it had not spread to other areas of her body and could be treated more easily. She had surgery to remove the lump, followed by radiotherapy.

She said:

“I feel blessed that my cancer was found early. From diagnosis to treatment, the NHS have been marvellous.

“I’m so grateful to the doctors and nurses at Harrogate District Hospital and St James’s Hospital in Leeds. They did everything they can to make sure I was treated quickly and effectively.”

Ms Ward now urges others to make sure they take part in breast screening when invited and also check for changes.

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She said:

“It’s so important to check your breasts regularly. I had my routine mammogram just over a year before I was diagnosed, and that had been clear. These things can happen very quickly, and the sooner it’s found the sooner it can be treated.

“Self-check as much as you can. If there’s anything out of the ordinary or that you’re concerned about, contact your GP and have it looked at as soon as possible.”

After treatment, Ms Ward started volunteering as a way to regain confidence and took up a role at Yorkshire Cancer Research’s Knaresborough shop.

She added:

“I thought that Yorkshire Cancer Research would be ideal. It’s my way of giving back and of saying thank you for the research they fund.”

Knaresborough businesses take over Christmas tree duties from chamber

A group of Knaresborough businesses has said it will put up Christmas trees in the town this year instead of Knaresborough Chamber of Trade.

The chamber has traditionally installed about 65 four-foot high trees on shopfronts and buildings around the town.

But local businesses said the chamber had indicated it was no longer able to do so and therefore they had stepped in.

A chamber meeting last week saw numerous people walk out and board positions left unfilled following an acrimonious vote not to set up a Business Improvement District.

Two local business owners, Annie Wilkinson-Gill of the Crystal Buddha and Natalie Horner of Sid Horner and Son, said they had taken the lead on the Christmas tree project and have set up a Facebook page for businesses to place orders.

The two women said they had made a completely fresh start, ordering the trees from Stockeld Park as well as new solar powered lights.

Ms Horner said:

“Chamber said they were going to cancel the trees this year as sadly they weren’t able to do them, so a few of us independent business owners decided to come together as it would be such a shame for Knaresborough not to have Christmas trees.

“This is a really huge community project and so many wonderful businesses have come together to make it happen.”

The trees will be put up by volunteers during November.

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The pair of business owners are also hoping to use the new Knaresborough Business Collective Facebook page to organise other events and projects.

The Stray Ferret tried to contact members of the chamber but had not received a reply by the time of publication.

£1.2bn Knaresborough incinerator has never met recycling targets

Environmental concerns have been raised over the performance of a controversial £1.2 billion waste recovery plant near Knaresborough after it emerged it has never met recycling targets.

A meeting of North Yorkshire County Council’s transport, environment and economy scrutiny committee heard councillors question whether the Allerton Park Waste Recovery venture had turned out to be fundamentally flawed.

The council awarded a contract to private company AmeyCespa to create the facility in 2014. It can process up to 320,000 tonnes of waste per year from York and North Yorkshire councils.

Peter Jeffreys, head of waste for both York and North Yorkshire councils told the meeting that since the site was launched in March 2018 “it’s been a slightly rocky start”, but there were a lot of positive signs that the plant was moving in the right direction.

He said councils were paying £3 less per tonne of waste than was forecast before the plant, which takes 220,000 tonnes of public waste and 50,000 tonnes of business waste annually, became operational.

A report to the meeting detailed how the councils had set a target of recycling or composting five per cent of the household waste it received, but the amount actually recycled or composted was between one and two per cent.

As a result of missing the targets, the councils levied AmeyCespa with a total of £653,000 in performance deductions for the first three years of the operation alone.

Mr Jeffreys said: 

“Whilst we are levying those reductions it doesn’t give us any satisfaction. We would far rather they hit the targets.”

Mr Jeffreys said the environmental targets had been missed partly because the mechanical treatment part of the plant had not been reliable. He said Amey had reconfigured the plant to push more materials through the mechanical treatment process.

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He said covid had led to staff shortages, which had seen the mechanical treatment area bypassed on some occasions.

25-year contract

In response, some councillors questioned whether the system was proving as much as a success as had been forecast when the scheme was approved amid a public outcry.

Cllr David Goode, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough, said the situation did not appear as positive as the council was making out, having missed key targets since the operation launched.

He said he was “struggling” with the initiative, bearing in mind the authority’s carbon reduction strategy, the government’s revised policies over waste management and the drive towards reducing reliance on single use items.

Cllr Goode said: 

“And then I look at a 25-year contract that seems to encourage us to maximise that amount of waste we are putting through to get the financial returns that we’re looking for and a government strategy that seems to indicate we would have to fundamentally change the nature of the contract that we have currently got.”

Mr Jeffreys said the authority was not “incentivising maximising waste”, but rather was finding a good end destination for business waste that could otherwise end up in landfill.”

‘Fantastic asset’

The committee’s chairman, Cllr Stanley Lumley, a Conservative who represents Pateley Bridge, said:

“Allerton waste plant was very controversial when it was going through the process of council and planning. I think it’s proved to be a fantastic asset for North Yorkshire.”

The council’s waste executive director Cllr Derek Bastiman said after visiting the site he was encouraged to see the amount of cardboard and plastic that was recovered from general waste.

He said: 

“It’s still the families that need educating on keeping their waste clean, whether that’s plastic bottle or cardboard.

“If they did that then we could recycle more than we do. If families could just be a bit more considerate when disposing of their waste that would certainly help with our figures.”

Controversial plans for Goldsborough homes approved

Plans for 36 homes in Goldsborough have been approved despite fears the development will “tear up” the historic village’s conservation area.

Stonebridge Homes was granted final approval by Harrogate Borough Council yesterday at the third time of asking.

The housing company was previously told to rethink its Station Road scheme and hold a meeting with councillors and residents.

This meeting was held in August but it was followed only by complaints that the developers “weren’t willing to shift” on issues including the density and design of the homes.

Speaking at a meeting of the council’s planning committee, councillor Andrew Paraskos, a Conservative who represents Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale, said:

“A meeting did take place but there was no movement from the developers at all.

“Residents understand that there will be something on this plot, but they would just like something that is more in keeping with the village.

“We have deferred this plan twice and I think it is now time to refuse it.”

‘Conservation area is a sham’

Resident Noel Evans also said the plans appeared to be “set in stone with no bridge for improvements” and that the development would amount to a “public tearing up of the Goldsborough conservation area”.

The conservation area sits adjacent to the site and was introduced in 2008 as an area of architectural and historical interest, including much of the village.

Mr Evans said:

“The tallest buildings proposed on this site will be amongst the highest buildings in Goldsborough – higher than the church and Goldsborough Hall.

“This will irretrievably destroy the historic skyline. This site needs an entirely fresh and appropriate set of plans.

“The conservation area is a sham and has no reason to exist with this council.”

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In its latest proposals, Stonebridge Homes included additional tree planting and information relating to materials.

The developers also argued the plans met national requirements and had received the backing of council officers three times with recommendations of approval.

Becky Lomas, an agent for Stonebridge Homes, told the meeting:

“The proposal before you today creates a well designed scheme, which is able to meet national requirements.

“This is a position which has been supported by council officers three times now at planning committee and the proposal of 36 dwellings is not considered to be in conflict with the development plan.”

The plans – which include a mix of one to five-bedroom properties – received 39 objections from residents and no letters of support.

The application was approved by councillors on the planning committee with six votes for, three against and one abstention.

Knaresborough’s singing train conductor earns debut art show

A train conductor from Knaresborough has earned a debut art show after picking up his paintbrushes for the first time during lockdown.

Paul Mirfin, who has worked for Northern for 19 years, decided that he needed a new therapeutic hobby just a few months ago.

His colourful pieces, which are often inspired by the scenes he sees on the railway, have been a big hit with his colleagues with some asking for commissions.

Mr Mirfin, who is also a singer, said:

“Painting is really new for me. I had never painted in my life but earlier this year I picked up a brush, bought a load of oils and just started painting.

“I was diagnosed with anxiety a little while ago. My mum had passed away, I moved house, got married and had a lot going on. Painting just focused me in a way nothing else did and really helped.”

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The oil paintings will be on display in Harrogate station’s waiting room on platform one between 9am and 5pm on October 30. He added:

“Obviously, being a railway man, that’s what most of my paintings are of so far. One will be put into the staff room at Leeds, which I’m very proud of.

“I’d recommend giving painting a go to anyone. It’s so relaxing and absorbing – it helps you take time off in your mind of other things that are going on, or it does for me at least.”

The paintings are inspired by the railway.

Tony Baxter, regional director at Northern said:

“It is very exciting to be featuring Paul’s work at Harrogate station for both our customers and colleagues to enjoy.

At Northern, we are dedicated to making the railway environment better for the whole community and to encourage everyone to ‘go do your thing’ – whatever that may be.”

Knaresborough vaccine centre welcomes first 12 to 15-year-olds

Knaresborough’s vaccination site today welcomed the first 12 to 15 year olds through its doors amid concern about high coronavirus cases in the Harrogate district.

The government initially said that all children in that age group would be offered jabs on school premises by half-term.

However, the roll-out in schools locally has been delayed due to staffing issues at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust.

So the NHS has asked Homecare Pharmacy Services, which recently moved to the Chain Lane Community Hub in Knaresborough, to help out with the roll-out.

William Kean, 12, from Harrogate, was among the first of his cohort to get vaccinated today. He told the Stray Ferret:

“I was a little bit nervous but it was fine, it didn’t hurt very much. I thought it was going to be worse. Hopefully it means I don’t miss as much school now.”

The Homecare team at the launch of the new clinic today.

Local public health officials have linked the high rate of infection in the Harrogate district to children returning to school in September.

The director of public health for North Yorkshire, Louise Wallace, revealed last week that she had urged schools to bring back face masks and reduce after-school activities as a result.

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Jason Baskind, managing director of Homecare Pharmacy Services, told the Stray Ferret:

“Obviously the school teams have been struggling to get the children all done. The initial offer has got to be through schools.

“But the NHS has asked us and other vaccination centres to put on these clinics for children because it’s half-term and because of the situation in Harrogate.”

Sue Vasey, interim director at the Chain Lane Community Hub, added:

“It was really important for us to be able to offer this facility for such an important programme, particularly now when infection levels are so high in our area.

“We are always in need of volunteers but it’s a great atmosphere and a really good team. Everyone has really pulled together to make this work.”

£740,000 awarded as part of Knaresborough incinerator fund

More than £740,000 has been awarded to improve the environment in the Harrogate district as part of a landscape recovery fund.

In 2016, money was set aside to help offset damage to the local area caused by the Allerton Waste Recovery Park near Knaresborough, which converts up to 320,000 tonnes of waste into energy.

North Yorkshire County Council started a contract with waste treatment company Amey to run the plant in 2014.

A section 106 agreement, which obliges developers to pay a sum to mitigate the impact of development, led to the creation of the Allerton Park Landscape and Cultural Heritage Fund to support community projects that improve landscapes and biodiversity.

The council said today this has now funded 92 projects with a total value of £742,126.

The schemes include tree planting in Arkendale and Coneythorpe and the restoration or creation of 14 ponds.

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Boroughbridge High School received funding to help clear a pond area to attract more wildlife and create a space for outdoor learning.

The school has also installed a wildlife camera to capture images to enable the children to see what is happening when they are not there.

Funding has also gone towards refurbishing telephone boxes and a war memorial, information boards and church projects, as well as the creation or repair of 2.2km of pathways.

Cllr Derek Bastiman, executive county councillor for waste management, said:

“The projects supported by the Allerton Park Landscape and Cultural Heritage fund provide a lasting benefit to this area. They encourage wildlife and increase biodiversity, restore and enhance features of local cultural heritage to be handed to the next generation and allow the young to learn about the world around them.

“Many volunteers have been involved and I thank the local communities for undertaking all these projects. I also thank members of the community that supported the decision making process, attending panel meetings to provide local insight and enabling grant awards to maximise the benefit of this fund to provide a lasting legacy.”

In Depth: To BID or not to BID? Divided opinion in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon

Business improvement districts (BIDs) were first introduced in the USA to revive economically depressed areas and they came to the UK in the early 2000s.

They have become increasingly popular over the past 10 years, in part due to declining high streets and government cuts to local authorities.

Businesses within a defined area pay an annual fee, called a levy, on top of their usual business rates.

This pooled money then goes directly towards the BID which funds improvements for the area.

Harrogate was the first town in the district to form a BID in 2019. Almost 500 businesses pay 1.5% of their rateable value each year.

It’s estimated that the Harrogate BID brings in around £500,000 from levy payers annually.

But before a BID is set up, businesses in the area must vote in a ballot on whether they want one or not, as Ripon and Knaresborough have done this year.

Once a BID vote has passed, all businesses within the area are obliged to pay the levy or face potential legal action. BIDs last for five years, before businesses are balloted again.

What do BIDs do, and are they value for money?

Harrogate BID has three full-time staff, including BID manager Matthew Chapman who is paid a salary of £45,000.

It has an elected board of 15 directors, which mainly includes business people but also has an officer each from Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

Harrogate’s BID had a difficult first couple of years. In 2020, four directors walked out in protest at the way the organisation was being run, citing accusations of undue council interference. The conservative council leader, Richard Cooper, later resigned as a board member.

It now appears to be on a more steady footing and recent initiatives include power washing 80,000 square metres of the town centre, painting drab walls with colourful murals and buying over 500 pieces of outdoor furniture for businesses to use.

But is it delivering value for money to its levy payers? How is that measured?

Mr Chapman told the Stray Ferret:

“This can be achieved via a number of different methods, including increased footfall, increased bookings, satisfaction surveys, regular conversations with our Levy Payers, positive media coverage, and even good old-fashioned word of mouth.”

Why do some businesses criticise them?

BIDs are private limited companies which critics say means a lack of financial transparency and accountability.

BIDs have been criticised for doing jobs that have traditionally been under the remit of local councils, effectively taxing businesses twice.

An example might be buying 200 hanging baskets for Harrogate town centre, which could be argued should be done by Harrogate Borough Council through business rates.

They have also been criticised for being anti-democratic, controlled by a small group of influential directors.

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Why Knaresborough BID ended in acrimony

Both Ripon and Knaresborough followed in Harrogate’s footsteps by balloting businesses about creating their own BIDs this year.

But the outcomes were acutely different.

Ripon’s ballot sailed through, receiving 70 votes in favour, out of 87 cast.

Whereas in Knaresborough there has been bitterness and acrimony after businesses voted to reject setting up a BID by 80 votes to 73.

In the fallout from the vote, Knaresborough chamber of commerce leader Steve Teggin resigned and said he had “failed” the town by not delivering the BID.

However, some businesses in Knaresborough believe the town is doing fine without a BID. Harrogate Borough Council had a block vote of 29, and those against the BID said this meant the vote wasn’t as close as it appeared.

Knaresborough Liberal Democrat county councillor David Goode told the Stray Ferret he was “extremely disappointed” at the result, which he said will put the town at a disadvantage against Harrogate, Ripon and York, who all have BIDs.

He blamed a national pressure group called Against BID for whipping up anti-BID sentiment among businesses.

He said:

“There was an extremely negative campaign against it that was strongly influenced by a national group who has ideological reasons to campaign against BIDs wherever. Certain local businesses were misguided by what this national group was pedalling.”

A spokesperson for Against BID responded:

“It’s disappointing how a councillor along with the BID proposers are still putting blame on everyone else except themselves, for their failure to deliver the result they wanted. This again demonstrates the contempt with which the great businesses of Knaresborough have been treated throughout the BID development process.

“The Knaresborough business owners are intelligent enough to have made up their own voting decision based on the strength of the BID proposal put before them”.

Why Ripon is excited about its BID

Whereas in Ripon, there was a more unified feeling that a BID would be able to tie together the various tourist attractions such as the ancient Market Square, Fountains Abbey and Newby Hall to benefit the wider local economy.

Some businesses in Ripon have previously complained that Harrogate Borough Council has prioritised its crown jewel of Harrogate over their city.  A BID would, in theory, give more power and money to local businesses to control their own destiny.

Ripon BID will have an annual budget of £160,000 over the next five years.

Ripon BID chair Richard Compton, who owns Newby Hall, told the Stray Ferret he believes the BID will give the city a big boost :

“The aim is to promote and make Ripon more attractive as a retail and tourism destination and the BID can help in a number of ways.

“The signs are looking good and I’m feeling confident about the future.”