Council cancels another Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee

North Yorkshire Council has cancelled another Harrogate and Knaresborough planning committee due to a lack of planning applications to consider.

The meeting was set to take place next Tuesday at the Civic Centre in Harrogate.

It means since the new council was formed in April, just four out of nine planned meetings have taken place with none happening since the last meeting on September 26.

The ability to approve or reject planning applications is a key responsibility of elected councillors, with cross-party planning committees based around parliamentary constituencies scheduled to meet each month.

But there have been concerns across the county that power has been concentrated centrally with unelected officers making the decisions instead.

Last month, the Harrogate & Knaresborough committee chair Pat Marsh told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the council was making a “nonsense” out of the current planning system.

In a statement published this week, the council’s assistant director of planning services, Trevor Watson, said one reason for the paucity of meetings was that planning applications in the former Harrogate district area are now been heard by councillors in the Skipton & Ripon and Selby & Ainsty constituency areas instead.

This includes plans for an eco home development in Flaxby tomorrow, which is a resubmitted version of a scheme previously refused by Harrogate Borough Council.

Mr Watson said: 

“We are committed to open and transparent governance and always endeavour to hold planning meetings where possible.

“Unfortunately, due to a lack of agenda items, the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency planning committee meeting scheduled for December 19 had to be cancelled.

“However, as the former administrative boundary of Harrogate Borough Council is split over three area constituency planning committees, a number of applications were considered at the Skipton and Ripon planning committee last week.

“A further two items are scheduled to be considered by the Selby and Ainsty committee on Wednesday.”

The next Harrogate & Knaresborough planning committee is set to take place on January 30.

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Licence granted for bar in Knaresborough industrial estate

Councillors have granted an alcohol licence for a bar in a Knaresborough industrial estate that will be run by Harrogate Brewing Company.

But North Yorkshire Council’s statutory licensing sub committee added a condition to ban a proposed beer garden after concerns were raised about reversing HGVs at Hambleton Grove Industrial Estate.

The family-owned brewery specialises in craft ale and operates from a different industrial estate on Hookstone Chase in Harrogate where it operates a small bar, also called a taproom.

Martin Joyce from the company said it will use the industrial unit in Knaresborough for storage as well as for a second taproom so people can try beers brewed in Harrogate.

He said he wanted to create a “community environment” for Knaresborough and councillors met this afternoon in Harrogate to consider whether to grant the bar an alcohol licence.

Mr Joyce said:

“To set up a pub these days is significant whereas I can utilise the space I’ve got for storage and a taproom, That creates business sense to me and gives back to the community.”

During the meeting, councillors heard from environmental health officer John Mathews who warned there had been instances of HGVs reversing into cars at the industrial estate — close to a proposed outdoor area for drinkers.

This forced the council to issue a health and safety improvement notice to the landlord of the industrial estate in November 2022.

Since then, improvements have been made but Mr Mathews said the safety of customers visiting the bar could be put at risk by a new reversing area.

He said:

“It presents a risk for customers who are likely to be near large reversing vehicles, possibly under the influence of alcohol.”

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In response, Mr Joyce proposed alternative opening hours so that customers would only be able enter the premises at a time when HGVs are prohibited from entering the industrial estate.

Cllr Andy Paraskos, who represents Spofforth with Lower Wharfedale and Tockwith for the Conservatives, raised concerns about out-of-hours deliveries from other businesses at the industrial estate impacting on the bar. 

He said: 

“Surely some of these businesses will want out of hours deliveries at some point. I’m sure there will an issue there.”

However, councillors ultimately agreed to grant the alcohol licence with a condition attached to ensure that all activity at the bar takes place inside to reduce any risk of vehicles reversing into customers.

The approved opening hours are as follows:

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP won’t say if he will support Rwanda bill

Harrogate and Knaresborough‘s Conservative MP Andrew Jones has declined to say whether he will support the government’s Rwanda bill tomorrow.

The Safety of Rwanda Bill aims to block legal challenges that prevent deportation flights of asylum seekers from taking off. The government is bringing forward the bill after the Supreme Court ruled its previous attempt to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was unlawful.

The verdict triggered the resignation of Home Secretary Suella Braverman and has led to threats of a rebellion from the right of the Conservative Party, which fears the new bill does not go far enough.

At the same time, some more centrist Conservatives are concerned the bill ignores international law.

If the Conservatives lose the vote, it would be a serious blow to the authority of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

The Stray Ferret asked Mr Jones if he would vote in favour of the bill.

He replied:

“We should not think of the Rwanda bill in isolation.  It is part of a number of measures designed to deter people from making the dangerous journey across the English Channel.

“Among these measures are new returns agreements with Albania, enhanced deals with the French authorities, greater support for asylum application processing and more besides.  These measures have led to crossings coming down by a third this year already.”

Mr Jones went on to say he “will be looking closely at the bill and any amendments which might be selected for debate by the Speaker”, adding:

“When considering those amendments my thoughts will be about how we break the people smuggling gangs and, most importantly, how we stop the grim certainty of more fatalities in our coastal waters.

“This issue is not confined to the UK; we see it again and again in the Mediterranean too.  Breaking these gangs requires an international effort and I know we are working closely with partners on how this is done to the best effect.”

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Knaresborough Leisure Centre opens today

The long-awaited opening of Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness takes place today.

The centre, which cost £17.5 million to develop, has a six-lane 25-metre pool, a leisure pool and slide and a 60-station fitness suite.

There is also a studio for group fitness classes, a group cycling studio, a sauna and steam room and a café.

The outdoor children’s play area is still in the works but is expected to be open in January 2024.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for arts, culture and housing, Cllr Simon Myers, said:

“By moving the service offer from being a conventional swimming pool to a community health and wellbeing service we aim to help people move more, live well, feel great and reduce the proportion of the population that is physically inactive.

“We look forward to welcoming the public into the facility next week.”

The site is managed by Brimhams Active, the council’s health and wellbeing company, which oversees the Harrogate and Ripon sites too.

According to the Brimhams Active website, all-inclusive membership at the sites costs £44.95 for adults per month and the concession price is £35.95 per month.

A gym or swim-only membership will set people back £33.95 a month, and a pay-as-you-go swim session costs £5.45 for adults and £2.85 for children.

There will be immersive spin classes on offer.

North Yorkshire Council also said the new building will be “more efficient” than the former.

It said the carbon output of the previous leisure centre has been reduced by 60%.

The gas boiler was replaced with sustainably efficient air source heat pumps and solar panels have been installed to provide a source of renewable energy.

Alongside LED lighting, upgraded building management systems and improved electrical supplies will increase energy efficiency, the council said.

The Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre is part of a £47.9 million investment into leisure provisions, which also include the newly developed Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre and the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre in Ripon.

Mark Tweedie, chief executive of Brimhams Active, said:

“The creation of this new leisure and wellness centre provides a modern, safe space where all walks of life, at every stage of life’s journey, can come together and enjoy a range of activities from swimming, gym and group exercise, to eating and relaxing.

“The investment really does deliver something for everyone. I’m now looking forward to working with my team to bring these facilities to life.”

The new centre has been built next to the former Knaresborough Pool, which was built in 1990 and last refurbished 20 years ago.

The swimming pool will open at 6.30am and the gym will open at 6.15am every morning.

The sauna.

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Knaresborough set for late night shopping

Knaresborough’s independent traders will stay open late for the next two Thursdays.

About 25 traders will welcome customers until 7pm on December 14 and 21 as part of an annual pre-Christmas boost for businesses.

Some hair and beauty salons, which regularly stay open late on Thursdays, will operate until 10pm.

Knaresborough and District Chamber organises the activity each year to help independent stores.

Chamber member and salon owner Kelly Teggin said:

“We have chosen a week night so not to clash with Christmas parties and Thursday was chosen as many of the hair and beauty salons open late so there’s a good number of footfall in town that evening.

“We have also chosen a night when the market’s not on so there’s plenty of free parking right in the town centre for shoppers.”

Knaresborough Christmas Market Weekend took place last weekend.

The town’s annual Christmas tree festival, which features about 70 trees individually decorated by community groups and businesses, is also taking place at  at St John the Baptist Church until December 23. Entry is free.

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VIDEO: First look at new £17.5m Knaresborough leisure centre

Knaresborough Leisure Centre opens to the public next Monday, December 11.

However, the Stray Ferret had a sneak peek this morning.

The Knaresborough site includes a six-lane 25-metre pool, a leisure pool and slide and a 60-station fitness suite.

There is also a studio for group fitness classes, a group cycling studio, a sauna and steam room, and a café.

The sauna.

A children’s outdoor play area is still in the works but is expected to open in January 2024.

The leisure centre has been built next to the former Knaresborough swimming pool, which was built in 1990.

It was last refurbished 20 years ago. Its opening marks a third addition to the local Brimhams Active centres.

The steam room.

Knaresborough Leisure Centre is a North Yorkshire Council-led project.

It is part of a £47.9 million investment into leisure provisions, which also include the newly developed Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre and the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre in Ripon.

The site offers immersive spin classes.

Cllr Simon Myers, executive councillor for culture, arts and housing at North Yorkshire Council, told the Stray Ferret today:

“You come over the brow of the hill in Knaresborough and see the leisure centre building – it is such an attractive building.

“It sits so well in its space, it’s full of light and the facilities are fantastic.

“This is what local authorities can achieve. It’s a real asset to Knaresborough.”

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Man arrested after altercation at Knaresborough bus station

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for a key witness to come forward following an altercation in Knaresborough this week.

The force said in a statement today the incident involving a young man and woman took place at Knaresborough bus station at about 9am on Monday, December 4.

The statement added a 19-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and released on conditional bail to allow for further enquires to be carried out.

Officers said they would like to hear from any witnesses but added there was one key witness they were particularly keen to speak to.

The statement said:

“If you were at the bus station and either intervened or witnessed the incident, please get in touch.

“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email helen.james@northyorkshire.police.uk North Yorkshire Police via 101 and pass information for PC Helen James.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Quote reference number 12230229894 when passing on information.

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River Nidd clean-up campaign boosted by £500,000 from Yorkshire Water

A campaign to clean-up the River Nidd has received a £500,000 boost — from a penalty paid by Yorkshire Water for polluting Harrogate..

Yorkshire Water revealed last week it had agreed to give £1 million to charities for polluting Hookstone Beck in Harrogate.

The sum — to atone for an unauthorised sewage discharge that killed fish in the beck — was divided equally between Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust.

A meeting in Knaresborough yesterday heard Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust, which is based in Pateley Bridge, will use the funding to lead the iNidd project to clean-up the River Nidd.

Charlotte Simons, senior project manager at the trust, told the meeting:

“The sad thing is we have the money because something went wrong.

“But we have been given a lump sum that can lead to long-term improvements on the River Nidd.”

Yesterday’s meeting in Knaresborough.

The trust, which runs improvement projects across the catchments of the Swale, Ure, Nidd, Wharfe and Ouse, will work with anglers, academics and wild swimmers as well as Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency on the iNidd scheme.

Andrew Jones, the Conservative MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, is also involved through his campaign to achieve bathing water status on the Nidd at Knaresborough Lido.

The trust previously led the iWharfe project to improve the River Wharfe.

Yorkshire Water’s iNidd funding will pay for water quality schemes and other initiatives, such as habitat improvements and tackling invasive non-native species.

Nidd Action Group organised yesterday’s meeting at the Centre on Gracious Street, which gave members of the public the chance to quiz those involved in the iNidd campaign.

It followed a previous meeting at the same venue in spring this year, which marked the start of the clean-up campaign.

David Clayden, chair of the action group, said:

“We have achieved a lot in six months. I expect to see plans come together in the next six months that are collaborative and will make a difference.”

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New bar could open in Knaresborough industrial estate

Harrogate Brewing Company has proposed to open a new bar at Hambleton Grove Industrial Estate in Knaresborough.

The family-owned brewery specialises in craft ale and operates from a different industrial estate on Hookstone Chase in Harrogate.

Plans are underway to expand into Knaresborough with a taproom and outside beer garden area in the heart of a residential area.

Councillors on North Yorkshire Council’s licensing sub-committee will meet next Monday to consider whether to grant an alcohol licence which would be valid from midday until 10pm all week.

The applicant has agreed conditions with North Yorkshire Police including installing a CCTV system and ensuring staff are fully trained.

Applicant Martin Joyce wrote in an application that drinkers would sample beers on-site as well as also being able to buy bottles to take home.

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Mr Joyce added that during the summer months, the business may hire a food truck and use the outdoor area as a temporary bar.

The application received one objection from a nearby resident due to the potential for noise when revellers leave the bar late at night.

They said: 

“Given that it’s in a residential area, it is highly inappropriate that residents should have to tolerate noise from a pub between midday and 10pm 7 days a week.”

The objector also said a long-standing problem of parking in the streets surrounding the industrial estate would be made worse by the new bar.

They added: 

“The estate itself has numerous daily deliveries from HGVs. It is hard to see how these could be accommodated alongside the parking of cars, not to mention the potential risk to pedestrians using the site.”

The meeting will take place next Monday at 1pm at the Civic Centre in Harrogate and it will be streamed live on the council’s YouTube channel.

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves visits Knaresborough banking hub

Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves visited Knaresborough banking hub on Friday.

Ms Reeves joined shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and shadow Economic Secretary Tulip Siddiq at Kirkgate.

Reeves hailed the hub, which opened on November 17, as an example of what the Labour Party would like to see across the country if it wins the next general election, which is expected to take place in 2024.

Labour has committed to setting up at least 350 banking hubs following a 64 per cent drop in the number of banks in Yorkshire since 2015.

Ms Reeves said:

“There’s now 20 banking hubs around the country.

“Banking hubs are there to replace bank branches because Knaresborough was without a bank for three years.

“[There’s] not a single bank branch in this town and banking hubs are an alternative to banks.

“When there are no banks left in the town the idea is that the banks come together to open a hub that you can use whichever bank you’re with, but there’s only 20 of them and we know that there are many more high streets in towns and villages that don’t have banks at all.

“Labour is making a commitment today that in the first term of a Labour government, we would open at least 350 banking hubs so that more people have access to banking facilities and to cash, which is something that unfortunately today too many people don’t have access to.”

Ms Siddiq added:

“When a local community no longer has access to a bank branch, we know it is the poorest in society along with high street businesses who lose out the most from the loss of vital in-person services.”

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Knaresborough photographer Charlotte Gale came to get cash from the banking hub and speak to the three members of Sir Keir Starmer’s shadow cabinet about why she needs cash for her business.

Ms Gale said:

“I always run out of 5ps.

“That’s the way my stuff is priced – it’s 95p.

“There’s always a struggle to get a 5p.”

Alongside its plans to bring back banking to communities, Labour also pledged to give councils the power to tackle shuttered-up shops, tackle antisocial behaviour and shoplifting through dedicated police patrols, replace business rates with a fairer system and end late payments to support small businesses.

Mr Reynolds said:

“Under the Conservatives, our high streets have been allowed to fall into decline, with more and more high street anchors like banks closing.

“Labour will put an end to boarded-up premises and ghost high streets with our plan to bring banks back to the high street, fix business rates, tackle empty properties and get police back on the beat on your high street.”

In Yorkshire and the Humber 464 banks – or 64 per cent – have closed since 2015 and just 264 remain open.

This is the second biggest percentage of bank closures in the country, with 66 per cent of banks being closed in the south-west.

In the whole of England, there are 3,208 bank branches.