A lack of affordable homes in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is forcing young and low-paid families to move away, a meeting has heard.
Members of Harrogate Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny commission last night called for greater action to bring forward more affordable homes in the area, which has seen average property prices climb to around £320,000, according to Zoopla.
The AONB covers around two-thirds of the Harrogate district but only has 9% of its population and councillor Tom Watson, who represents the Nidd Valley ward, expressed fears that it could become “barren”.
He said:
“If we don’t have small developments in the area, village schools are going to close, pubs are already on the way out and village shops are also going to go.
“The AONB is there to protect the countryside, but we have got to make sure the area is a living one and not barren.”
227 households on waiting list
Created in 1994, the AONB was introduced to conserve the countryside with levels of protection from developments.
A total of 253 homes were recently proposed at sites in Darley, Dacre, Summerbridge and Pateley Bridge under the council’s Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35. But government planning inspector ruled that they would have had too great an impact.
Since then, a growing number of residents have struggled to get a footing on the property ladder with 227 households currently on the council’s waiting list for social housing in Upper Nidderdale.
And with an average of just 20 vacancies becoming available each year, the waiting list would take around 10 years to clear if no more households came forward.
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Councillor Pat Marsh, leader of the council’s Liberal Democrats, described the situation as “really sad” and said efforts to build affordable homes on small plots of council-owned land were only a “tiny drop in the ocean”.
Council planners said they were also demanding affordable homes be built at developments of more than 10 properties to try tackle the problem.
Smaller profits
However, Jenny Kerfoot, executive officer for housing growth at the council, said landowners were often reluctant to bring forward plans for affordable housing because of the smaller profits involved.
She added the council was hopeful these landowners have “given up hope that their land is worth a lot of money” now that the Local Plan has been adopted and any large developments have been ruled out.
She said:
“There won’t be any of these big sites in the AONB or predominantly for market housing so it’s our intention now to approach those landowners.”
Councillor Victoria Oldham, a Conservative who represents the Washburn ward, said another possible solution would be the conversion of disused farm buildings, but she added any new developments were often met with opposition from locals.
She said:
“We all know little pockets of land in the area where a pair of semis could easily go, but half of the problem would be the negativity from parish councils or people in the immediate vicinity.
“I’m pretty much against large developments in the AONB because we haven’t got the transport facilities. A lot of places don’t even have shops or post offices – and you can forget banking.
“But one or two houses in areas would be of benefit as something needs to be done.”
Nidderdale academic receives honorary doctorate
An internationally renowned Nidderdale academic has been awarded an honorary doctorate in theology from the University of Chichester.
Dr Peter Vardy, former vice-principal of Heythrop College, University of London is recognised as a leader in the fields of religious studies, philosophy and ethics and values education.
“It is quite possible that in the last 30 years Dr Vardy has done more to promote the study of these disciplines than anyone else in the UK.
“Since 2010 he has been campaigning against curriculum changes in England which have recently led to a decline in numbers studying religion, especially after the age of 14.”
Dr Vardy, who lives near Scar House Reservoir and has two daughters, has published 18 books, served as an editorial adviser for BBC and Channel 4 documentaries and spoken at conferences in the UK and abroad.
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The citation also said:
“Dr Vardy’s passionate commitment to religious education is emblematic of the ideals of the University of Chichester, his contribution to education and his advocacy of theology, philosophy and religious studies in the press reflects our commitment to teacher education and the inclusive religious foundation of the University.
“He is an alumnus of the university having completed his PGCE here in 1980.”
Police find body in search for missing walker
A body has been found in the search for a walker who went missing in North Yorkshire last week.
Experienced hiker David McCartney, 74, left to scout an eight-mile route on Monday last week but did not return home.
His car was found in Kettlewell and today North Yorkshire Police said a farmer had discovered a body in Coverhead, near Upper Nidderdale, late this morning.
Walkers in Upper Nidderdale has been urged to keep an eye out for Mr McCartney, whose disappearance prompted a large-scale search that involved the National Police Air Service helicopter, search dogs, volunteer mountain rescue teams and the RAF.
Although formal identification has not been confirmed at this stage, North Yorkshire Police said in a statement it believed the body to be that of Mr McCartney, who was from Cross Hills, near Keighley.
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A post mortem will be carried out to establish the cause of death. Officers believe there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.
Police have informed Mr McCartney’s family.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:
Creepy caves, pumpkins and witches: half-term fun in the district“Police were called last Monday when David McCartney did not return home from a lone walking expedition.
“In the following days there was an extensive search, involving police, the national police air support service, mountain rescue and the RAF.
“Police would like to thank members of the public for their assistance with sharing the appeals to find David.”
This article is sponsored by Berwins
With Halloween falling during October half-term, there is a seriously spooky theme to this year’s family activities across the district.
And with last year’s Halloween celebrations being pretty much cancelled due to the pandemic this year’s spooky season is bigger and better than ever.
So whether you fancy a trip to some dark, scary caves, some pumpkin picking on a farm or some ghostly fun in Harrogate town centre, we’ve put together a list of five places to take your little witches and wizards for some Halloween fun.
Birchfield Farm Pumpkin Festival
Pick your own pumpkins at Birchfield Farm.
When Birchfield Farm launched its Pumpkin Festival on October 2, I think most of Harrogate visited. My social media feeds were jam-packed with pumpkins in wheelbarrows and smiling faces.
Fortunately there are plenty of pumpkins to go around and you can visit everyday until Halloween.
A firm favourite with families across the district, including my own, there are also lots of activities to do on the farm so you can make a morning or afternoon of it.
After you have picked your pumpkin from the patch – and there really is a huge selection of all shapes and sizes – you then have the option of visiting the farm for £5 per person. Then take your kids for a homemade ice cream at the farm’s café, which is currently serving takeout food and drinks.
Activities include:
- A huge carving barn where you can create your pumpkin masterpieces
- Bouncy castles
- Play equipment
- A 6-acre maize maze
- Woodland and den building
- Animals
- A giant bale mountain
HarroScream 2021
Enter Harrogate town centre if you dare this half-term…
- A supernatural-themed interactive trail on the loyalfreeapp
- A mysterious pop-up photobooth in the Victoria Shopping Centre
- Ghostly street entertainment
- A sinister, live radio show with Your Harrogate
- Petrifying prizes to be won throughout
Mother Shipton’s The Witching Hour
Mother Shipton’s is hosting The Witching Hour over half-term.
It’s the witching hour at Mother Shipton’s. Deep in the spooky forest where the world-famous prophetess was said to have been born during a terrifying thunderstorm, the spirits are flying high. You may hear the cackle of old souls wandering the ancient woodland or feel a shiver down your spine as you step into the Haunted Halloween Village.
Suitable for all ages, watch out for witches, ghosts, and creepy skeletons around every corner. There’s frightful fun to be had with photo opportunities and fancy dress competitions. Share your spooktacular photos and inventive costumes on social media using the hashtag #mothershiptons to be in with the chance of winning prizes and tickets.
See the incredible Petrifying Well as it turns items to stone as if by magic. Become spellbound as you make a wish in the wicked wishing well, warm-up with refreshments and hot drinks served from the vintage-style coffee kiosk.
The park has scenic picnic areas alongside the River Nidd, an adventure playground, and a museum, featuring petrified celebrity items. Access to the adventure playground is subject to weather conditions.
Stump Cross Caverns Halloween Half-term
Go on a Halloween trail at Stump Cross Caverns.
Spooky family films, including Casper and Scooby Doo, will be shown in the cinema room daily, with food and drink served from the Time Café to your seat for the ultimate Halloween experience.
From 3pm to 6pm every day during half-term and on Thursday until 8pm, you can also experience the caves as you have never seen them before with a self-guided torchlit ultraviolet tour.
Stockeld Park Halloween Adventure
Stockeld Park has a new skeleton trail this half-term.
Stockeld Park is another firm family favourite and the Halloween festivities are always great fun.
As always, there will be lots of spellbinding surprises in store in the Enchanted Forest, and little ones will love to exploring the pumpkin patch and will be able to pick their very own pumpkin to take home. Every paying child will get to choose a free pumpkin.
Spooky real live characters will be dotted around the park, providing photo opportunities and fun interactions for families.
New for this year, skeletons have taken over Stockeld with the skeleton trail. You can also try your luck with a spot of graveyard golf – the attraction’s brand new Halloween mini golf, which is undercover so you can play whatever the weather.
There’s something suitably scary for all ages.
People are being invited to submit memories, photos and documents relating to Scar House reservoir, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
When the reservoir was built, it was seen as one of the most ambitious civil engineering projects in Britain.
It was the focal point of the Nidd Valley reservoir scheme, and had a huge impact on Nidderdale, with hundreds of workers moving to the area to work on the scheme.
A temporary village called Scar was built to house the workforce and their families during the construction of the reservoir from 1921 to 1936. At its peak, the village housed 1,250 people.
The village had luxuries, such as flushing toilets and a 600-seat cinema. It had its own tennis courts, a fire brigade, hospital and fish and chip shop. A 13 mile (21km) light railway from Pateley Bridge was also installed.
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Elizabeth Bishop, information officer at Nidderdale AONB, said:
“As the village buildings were sold off and dismantled in the 1930s, nothing much remains of this special place. It would be fantastic if more information came to light on this anniversary to help tell more of its fascinating story.”
The reservoir, which supplies water to Bradford, is now owned by Yorkshire Water.
Lisa Harrowsmith, lead surveyor at Yorkshire Water, said:
“We would love to hear from you if you have family members who were involved in the construction at Scar House, or were affected by it. We’re looking for stories, photographs and any memorabilia relating to the construction or early years of the reservoirs life, to help us celebrate its 100th anniversary.
“The world is very different to when work began to build Scar House 100 years ago – but despite the reservoir’s age, it continues to play a key role in the water process.”
If you’d like to get involved in marking the centenary or have information you’d like to share, contact Nidderdale AONB at nidderdaleaonb@harrogate.gov.uk
Nidderdale Charity Walk returns for 27th year todayWalkers are set to flock to Nidderdale today for the annual charity walk and run.
The Nidderdale Charity Walk and Run, which is organised by The Rotary Club of Harrogate, is returning for its 27th year and aims to raise money for charitable causes while encouraging people to keep active.
Over the years, participants have raised money for a number of charities including Harrogate Hospital and Community, Dementia Forward and Harrogate Easier Living Project.
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The rotary club also offers those causes which have received 10 or more supporters an 80% donation of the entry fees their fundraisers have paid.
Held annually, five routes will be included in this year’s event with a mixture of distances ranging in distance from four to 26 miles.
All walks start at Pateley Bridge Scout Hall and lead into Upper Nidderdale, with some going beyond into Lofthouse and Ramsgill.
Bid to resettle refugees in Nidderdale takes major step forwardAttempts to resettle a refugee family in the Pateley Bridge area have taken a significant step forward.
Nidderdale Community Welcome, a community group set up to sponsor a refugee family in Nidderdale, has found a house and raised more than £12,000.
Peter Wright, who heads the organisation, said:
“We can expect a refugee family to be selected by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and for the family to be with us in about four months time.”
With funding and housing in place, the application to bring the family to the Dales now needs Home Office approval, which should be a formality.
In preparation for the resettlement, Nidderdale Community Welcome is to hold a meeting at Pateley Bridge Methodist Church between 7pm and 9pm on Tuesday next week. For further details email wrightpandh@gmail.com
The search for a house in the Pateley Bridge area for a refugee family has been successful.
Mr Wright said:
“We are now moving from the planning to the implementation stage and need to put together small teams to assist the family with benefits, schooling, language, etc.
“The meeting will allow people to hear what is involved and to help us by signing on to one or more of the teams.”
The steering group is also looking at the possibility of establishing a community investment scheme to purchase a house for the longer term of this project.
People able to invest between £5,000 and £40,000 in a fixed-term scheme with an anticipated return of two percent per annum would have a proportionate share in the capital of the house.
John Tarrant, treasurer of Nidderdale Community Welcome, can be contacted at johntarrant@leakhb.plus.com for further information.
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Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, the refugee focus has switched from those displaced by war in Syria to Afghan nationals fleeing their country.
While Nidderdale Community Welcome, which was set up in November, plans for its first refugee family, Ripon City of Sanctuary has already resettled a number of Syrian families and is ready for another.
The group, established in 2016, has been fundraising since April, in anticipation of bringing another Syrian family to the city.
It has raised 85 per cent of the money needed and a has identified a suitable house.
Nicola David, chair of the Ripon group, said:
Nidderdale police issue ‘bee vigilant’ warning after attempted hive heist“We have been trying to build a little Syrian community here.
“Some Afghan interpreter families are currently being assisted to resettle in the UK, and a very small number have arrived in the Harrogate district.”
Police are warning beekeepers in Nidderdale to ‘bee vigilant’ following the attempted theft of hives.
It comes after a thief wearing a beekeeper’s suit tried to steal six hives recently. It is believed the culprit dropped one of the hives, which enraged the bees, and fled empty handed.
PC Bill Hickson, who is based in Patelely Bridge, warned “there may be criminals out there with an eye on your hives”.
PC Hickson revealed more about the sting operation in a report in the August edition of the Link magazine for the Parish of Dacre with Hartwith & Darley with Thornthwaite.
PC Hickson said:
“Last month a thief, or thieves, unsuccessfully tried to steal half a dozen beehives at a location not far from Nidderdale.
Police in Pateley Bridge have recorded 15 crimes in the last month.
“They wore a beekeeper’s suit but nevertheless managed to drop one of the hives, thereby enraging the bees, and fled empty handed.
“Despite this apparent incompetence whoever was responsible had planned the raid and were specifically targeting beehives above other more traditional booty.”
In another animal-related matter, PC Hickson called on dog owners to keep their dogs on leads after a sheep was attacked and a lamb killed on Greenhow Hill.
He said:
“However well-controlled you think your dog is, please do not let it off the lead in fields where there may be livestock.”
A total of 15 crimes, ranging from deliberate damage to a parked car in Dacre Banks to graffiti at Brimham Rocks, were recorded in Nidderdale during the month.
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Anybody with information that could help the police in their work, is asked to contact PC Hickson by calling 101, choosing option two and asking for “Bill Hickson” or “0-8-2-0”
He can also be emailed at bill.hickson@northyorkshire.police.uk
‘I think government has got this wrong’: Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge and Ripon politicians react to devolution
Councillors in Knaresborough, Ripon and Nidderdale have shared their reaction to the government decision that North Yorkshire’s two-tier councils will be scrapped and replaced with a single unitary authority.
In a move which will mark the end of North Yorkshire County Council and seven district and borough councils including Harrogate, Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick last week announced his decision to opt for a new single council structure over a rival bid for two authorities split on an east/west basis.
It will mean all council services will come under the control of the new authority from April 2023 – and there could also be the opportunity for town and parish councils to take on new powers.
Harrogate is also likely to get a new town council.
The government decision comes after North Yorkshire County Council last year submitted plans for the single council bid, while the district and borough councils, except Hambleton which rejected all options on the table, were behind the east/west split.
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The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked councillors in Knaresborough, Ripon and Nidderdale for their thoughts on the decision, as well as how they hope their areas will fit into the new local government picture.
Here is what they said.
Christine Willoughby, mayor of Knaresborough.
Cllr Christine Willoughby, the mayor of Knaresborough
“I hope that the new North Yorkshire council will be responsive to people’s needs and will realise that decades of budget cuts have left services in a poor state.
“I fear that we may get a distant uncaring council which will continue neglecting our town.
“I really hope the new council will listen to Knaresborough Town Council and take notice of its views.
“In the past, Knaresborough Town Council has often been frustrated by North Yorkshire County Council’s unwillingness to discuss and negotiate over certain key issues i.e. the insistence of gritting of roads in Knaresborough being restricted to bus routes and leaving Kirkgate ungritted with our railway station at the bottom of the hill.
“I’m sure the town council will be willing to discuss the possibility of taking over certain responsibilities from the new council, if the financial package is acceptable.
“Areas that the town council might be interested in looking to take over might include burial services including the cemetery, the use of and responsibility for the market place including car parking, and the weekly market and I’m sure there may be many others including possibly some buildings.”
Cllr Andrew Williams, leader of Ripon City Council.
Cllr Andrew Williams, leader of Ripon City Council
“I have no angst against North Yorkshire County Council but I do think the government minister has got this decision wrong.
“My fear is that we will have a very large authority with not as many elected members and as a result of that fewer voices standing up for local people.
“I also worry we are not going to see an improvement in services and I am sure there will be counterarguments to this but you only have to look at the state of the roads in Ripon to see the county council already does some things badly and other things really well, such as education.
“We have an aspiration to do more as a city council as we believe doing things locally and involving local people is the best way forward.
“We would certainly like to see Ripon Town Hall back in the control of people in the city, as well as Hugh Ripley Hall. We would also very much like to run the Thursday markets.
“We have already raised some of these issues with Harrogate Borough Council and some have had a more favourable response than others. We hope they will work with us to get the best possible outcome for our residents.
“I don’t think tears will be shed locally following the demise of the borough council.
“Ripon residents do not feel they have had a fair crack of the whip when it comes to provision of services but we hope that can be put aside over the next 20 months for us to finish working with the council on a positive note.”
Mike Holt, mayor of Pateley Bridge.
Cllr Mike Holt, the mayor of Pateley Bridge
New pricing policy aims to secure future of Bewerley Park“The first thing I have to say is that Pateley Bridge Town Council is an independent council and as such does not have to follow a party line on policy, so the town councillors have their own opinions on devolution and I believe that is how it should remain.
“My personal thoughts are that the single unitary authority is the correct route to take simply because it cuts out the seven current district tiers of management and supervision which must save money but will also end the double taxation situation that many parishes face.
“To give an example, some of our council tax is paid to Harrogate Borough Council which amongst other things pays for the upkeep and maintenance of the flower beds in Harrogate and the Stray, but we as a council are also charged by HBC for the maintenance of the flower beds and borders in and around Pateley Bridge.
“I believe this is a double tax and HBC acknowledged this several years ago and paid us a ‘maintenance grant’ to cover the difference.
“Over the last few years this grant has been reduced and is now not available, so reverting to a double taxation. The single authority should remove that type of anomaly.
“I really cannot see much change for Pateley Bridge or Nidderdale in general, as we do not have any boundary issues with the changes.
“To take on extra roles, for example cleaning gullies or planting and maintaining flower beds, costs more than just the labour and materials involved.
“The whole administration costs and insurances as well as extra staff have also to be budgeted for but in the future, with the money saved with the single authority, there may be more funds available to make that work effectively at our local level.”
North Yorkshire County Council has said it is determined to secure a future for Bewerley Park outdoor education centre after widespread opposition to its plans to mothball the site.
The council has unveiled plans to introduce a trial seasonal pricing policy at the centre, near Pateley Bridge as well as at its other outdoor education centre in East Barnby, near Whitby.
The review could also see sweeping changes to the centres’ buildings, more investment and the sites amalgamated to make them more efficient.
Councillors and officers will tomorrow consider approving the moves for the coming year, when the centres have been reopened for residential visits, to see if it stimulates extra use of the centres by schools at colder times of the year.
Popular with Harrogate district children
In February the county council said it had never proposed completely closing the centres, but was rather seeking ways to stem the £1.6m losses due to the pandemic.
The changes would see the cost of staying at the centres, which have been visited by generations of children in the Harrogate district, rising slightly at high season and falling at low season.
The proposal would mean the cost of a four-night stay rising by 33 per cent since 2015 to £358.
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Amanda Newbold, the council’s assistant director of education and skills, said an outline business case was being prepared, which would be considered by the authority’s executive in September.
She said it had been discovered prefabricated buildings at East Barnby, the site of RAF Goldsborough’s accommodation and base to 5131 Bomb Disposal Squadron RAF, had “a bit of an issue with asbestos”.
Strong political will
Councillor Patrick Mulligan, the authority’s executive member for education, said the large volume of schools responding to a consultation over the centres had underlined the “huge amount of support” the sites had.
He said there was a strong political will to ensure children could benefit from visits to the centres for many years to come.
Councillor Mulligan said the proposed fees and charges structure would provide a basis for the service to cover its costs, as had been the case in previous years.
He said:
“We are doing everything we can to make sure it is a viable service. We are not ruling out any options.”
He added the biggest challenge facing the council was the age of the buildings, particularly the ones at Bewerley Park, which were designed to be temporary when they were built 80 years ago to house hundreds of evacuees from Leeds.