Cornish Bakery to open on Harrogate’s James Street

A Cornish Bakery is set to open on Harrogate’s prestigious James Street.

The eat-in or take-out bakery will be based in the former Paperchase unit that closed at the end of May.

Cornish Bakery , which has more than 50 shops in the UK, sells pasties, breakfast pastries, cakes and coffees. It also provides a mail order service.

It is one of six new bakeries planned this year by the firm, which in February announced pre-tax profits of £3.1 million in the financial year ending May 2022. Its nearest store is currently in York.

Agents acting on behalf of Cornish Bakery founder Stephen Grocutt have submitted plans to North Yorkshire Council to display new signs outside the building.

Paperchase closed in May.

Recruitment adverts for positions within the company in Harrogate have also appeared online.

The planning documents do not say when the store will open. However,

The shop will be close to the Cornish Pasty Bakery in the Victoria Shopping Centre as well as two town centre Greggs, which also sells pasties.

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‘Human error’ blamed for raw chicken served at Harrogate school

A school in Harrogate which served raw chicken to children has said “human error” was responsible.

North Yorkshire Council‘s environmental health officers visited St John Fisher Catholic High School after parents alerted them to the problem.

One parent, who contacted the Stray Ferret with photographs of the raw meat but asked not to be identified, said:

“They served raw, bleeding chicken. There have been pictures posted on social media of blood actually coming out as it’s been cut into.

“The parents have complained to school… They admitted to a full tray being served by mistake and it’s being investigated.”

The parent said she had raised concerns about the school’s catering over several months, after finding the quality of food on offer had fallen.

She said there was often not enough food for all the children to have a hot meal, and sometimes there were no vegetarian options available.

However, a spokesperson for St John Fisher said the problem with the raw chicken was down to “human error” and inspectors had been happy with the catering provision.

They said:

“The human error which was the cause of the undercooked chicken being served was promptly addressed resulting in no students or staff consuming the food.

“The environmental agency were satisfied with the explanation of the circumstances surrounding the error and the actions which were immediately implemented to ensure this situation does not occur again.”

Responding to the parent’s comments about the food on offer, the spokesperson said:

“With 1,500 students on site and a modest menu, it is inevitable that, on some occasions, students’ first choice of hot meal, including vegetarian options, will have run out.”

St John Fisher

The incident happened in June, and North Yorkshire Council has now responded to a request for details from the Stray Ferret.

Its corporate director and monitoring officer, Callum McKeon, said:

“We can confirm a batch of chicken was under-cooked in what was regarded as an isolated incident.

“The school immediately fully assisted our officers who reviewed all food safety practices, documentation and checked temperature probes on site.

“Because we take food safety very seriously, incidents like these are few and far between, and no child was poorly as a result.

“We are satisfied with the way the school’s catering team responded to the matter and how they currently prepare food.”

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Developer resubmits Markington homes plan

A housing developer has resubmitted plans for new homes in Markington.

KCS Development Ltd , which is based in Leeds, has tabled the plan for High Mill Farm on High Street in the village.

The proposal would see 13 new homes built on the site and include a range of two to four bedroom houses.

The move comes as the developer withdrew a plan for 21 properties on the land back in February.

At the time, some residents wrote to Harrogate Borough Council, which was abolished in April, to raise concern over the impact of the development on the landscape and infrastructure.

In new documents submitted to North Yorkshire Council, the developer says the application was withdrawn to consider “concerns raised by consultees and the planning officer”.

The planned site on High Mill Farm.

The planned site on High Mill Farm.

It added that the new development, which would consist of eight market houses and five affordable homes, would help to “provide new homes n a sustainable location”.

The developer said:

“The provision of housing in this location will assist in providing local construction jobs during the build phase, whilst also generating demand for local building materials and associated products from local suppliers. 

“The proposed development would therefore help to directly stimulate and support the local economy in addition to providing new homes in a sustainable location.”

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

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Stray Views: Unelected council officers should not be making planning decisions

Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Your piece today (councillors raise concerns about the role of planning committees) highlighted that fact that planning officers are now making most of the decisions on applications.

This is just one example of many of the way in which our elected councillors are being side-lined and it is so wrong. As officers are unelected they are barely accountable for the decisions they make and in fact they are unreachable and almost immune from the views of us, the residents and tax payers.

We vote for our representatives, we hold them to account at the ballot box, and it is they who should be making these decisions.

Tom Paul, Pannal 

A more flexible approach to 20mph limit

I agree all schools should have a 20mph speed limit but only in the hours where danger may be present. In Scotland there are flashing road signs for the relevant periods during the day and school term times. For the rest of the day and school holidays it reverts to 30mph.

In addition children should be taught more road sense. In Ripon we have a situation where at the end of the school day staff have to stand outside the school gates and supervise 11+ pupils leaving school!

Sandra Theobald, Ripon

EV car spaces should be for EV cars only

I agree that 10 chargers is a bit much for Chapel Street at the moment but it’s wrong to suggest its OK for non-evs to park there if they are empty.

You could say the same for disabled parking bays but that’s obviously wrong. It would be better to have chargers at the long stay carpark off York Road.

Ralph Armsby, Knaresborough

Big thank you for 10k Race for Life

Please thank everyone on duty at the Harrogate Stray 9/7/2023.
Unfortunately I signed up for the 10k walking but my asthma got the better of me and wasn’t able to finish. The medics were called to me at the 7k mark to whom I thank.
To hold an event like this successfully and safe depends on volunteers
Many thanks to the Marshal who walked with me as I was the last of 10k walkers.

Margaret Beckingham, Harrogate

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Holiday clubs ‘lifesaver’ amid cost of living crisis, says Harrogate mum

A Harrogate mum has said a summer holiday programme will be a “lifesaver” amid the cost of living crisis.

The FEAST programme, which takes place from Monday, July 24, until Friday, September 1, gives children and young people across the county with a chance to socialise, learn new skills and stay active.

Open to all children and young people in North Yorkshire, those who receive benefits-related free school meals can attend for free and also receive a hot meal or packed lunch.

Single mother-of-two Jade Wrightson, from Harrogate, is among those who will benefit the scheme during the summer.

Ms Wrightson, whose children Freddie, aged nine, and eight-year-old Emmie, have taken part in the programme before, said it is a lifesaver at a time when money remains tight.

She said:

“Without FEAST I wouldn’t be able to work.

“I’m a teaching assistant and I clean too. I would have to save up to afford these activities or search for free things to do. Thanks to FEAST, the children enjoy a full day out playing and trying activities they wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to do.”

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North Yorkshire Council has been allocated funding by the Department of Education for this year’s provision of summer activities. 

The programme received bids from 120 activity providers this year of which 101 were successful – an increase compared to the 69 that offered the sessions last year.

Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, executive councillor for education, learning and skills, said:

“It’s heartening that we have the opportunity to build on the momentum of our previous success with the FEAST programme, which enables us to reach even more families this year.

“The FEAST programme offers a vitally important service to families, helping to ease the pressures that many households usually face during the school holiday period, such as added childcare and food costs.”

Eligible families across North Yorkshire will receive information about FEAST and a voucher to book their free place via their school.

For more information on the scheme, visit the North Yorkshire Together website here.

Council refuses plans for 80-bed care home in Ripon

Plans to build an 80-bed care home close to the centre of Ripon have been refused by North Yorkshire Council.

Muller Property Group proposed to demolish industrial buildings at T&R Williamson business park to make way for a new care facility.

Eight units at the site are currently occupied and let to various tenants and the development would have resulted in the loss of between 12-15 jobs.

However, the developer argued that 70 social care jobs would have been created through the scheme.

Access to the site, which is next to the city’s Aldi supermarket and near to the fire and police station, was proposed off Stonebridgegate.

According to plans attached to the application, the developer hoped to deliver a “high-quality” care home on the site with a design that better reflects the surroundings than what is currently there.

Besides the bedrooms, the plans also included several shared living rooms, a hair and nail salon for residents, a cafe and 31 car parking spaces.

The developer added in documents:

“The development will improve the appearance of the site and will provide a use which is much more in-keeping with the residential character of the area.”

But the NHS told the council GP practices in Ripon did not have the capacity to accommodate the additional residents that would arise from the care home. It asked for a contribution of £40,478 to go towards local health services.

Despite the creation of new social care jobs, the council said in its refusal notice that it objected to the proposed loss of employment space due to the demolition of the industrial buildings.

The refusal notice said:

“The proposed development would result in the loss of existing employment floorspace.

“No evidence has been submitted to demonstrate that the site has been actively marketed for employment use, that continued use of the site for employment is no longer viable, that the existing businesses remaining on the site could relocate to comparable suitable premises in the local area, or that alternative employment uses cannot be accommodated on the site.”

The council also said the size of the building would harm the Ripon Conservation Area, the facility would not provide “satisfactory living conditions” for residents and insufficient information had been provided
regarding the potential implications of gypsum-related ground stability issues.

The developer can appeal the decision.

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Harrogate village bridge repairs set to last five weeks

Repairs to a Harrogate village bridge which has been closed since June are set to last five weeks.

North Yorkshire Council closed the bridge on Church Lane in Hampsthwaite suddenly and without warning on June 2.

The closure came after a two-inch wide gap appeared at the side of the bridge following a vehicle collision, prompting safety concerns.

Council officials have confirmed that repairs will start on the bridge on July 24 and last for five weeks. It will be closed to traffic, pedestrians and cyclists during the work.

Cllr Keane Duncan, executive councillor for highways at the council, said:

“The maintenance of our often historic bridges across the county is a huge task for our officers and unfortunately there are times when we encounter unforeseen repair work. 

“On inspection of Hampsthwaite Bridge, our engineers found that the parapet has been pushed out over the edge of the bridge deck and this has damaged several of the corbels that support from beneath. 

“These need to be repaired and 15 metres of the parapet taken down and rebuilt using hot mixed lime mortar.” 

PBS Construction (North East) Ltd has been awarded a £50,567 contract to carry out repairs on the bridge.

The company was also hired to construct the first phase Otley Road cycle path in September 2021.

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Cllr Michael Harrison, who represents Hampsthwaite on North Yorkshire Council, said: 

“We appreciate the disruption the closure is having on road users so please be assured that our engineers have been getting plans in motion to carry out the repairs as quickly as possible. 

“We will keep the public updated on the works as they progress.” 

Call to ban trail hunting on North Yorkshire Council land ‘waste of time’, says former animal welfare campaigner

A former animal welfare campaigner has described a call to ban trail hunting on North Yorkshire Council land as a “colossal waste of time”.

Jim Barrington, who is a former director at the League Against Cruel Sports but now advises the Countryside Alliance, said the motion which will be put before the authority next week “would do nothing to help animal welfare”.

At a meeting next week, Labour councillor Rich Maw, who represents Weaponness and Ramshill, and Green councillor Arnold Warneken, who represents Ouseburn, will table a motion calling for the practice to be prohibited.

Trail hunting involves laying an animal scent, usually urine, for hounds to track and is followed by a group on foot or horseback.

The practice is legal, but organisations such as animal welfare charity the RSPCA and the League Against Cruel Sports have called for it to be banned.

At a meeting in May, Cllr Gareth Dadd, deputy leader of North Yorkshire Council, said the council “can’t confirm” whether or not trail hunts take place on its land.

In their motion, Cllr Maw and Warneken said the hunts had been used as a “loophole to carry on hunting foxes and other animals”.

However, Mr Barrington said the move would only “fuel prejudice” against rural communities.

He said:

“This motion does nothing to help animal welfare, but everything to fuel prejudice against rural people. Submitting this motion is a colossal waste of time, when there are so many genuine issues facing people living across North Yorkshire, not least the cost-of-living crisis.

“We sincerely hope councillors from across North Yorkshire reject this anti-rural motion in the first instance. There can simply be no justification whatsoever to ban a lawful activity on council owned land.”

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Meanwhile, the Countryside Alliance has said it will be contacting North Yorkshire councillors calling on them to reject the motion at the meeting on July 19.

The move comes as other organisations have called on the government to change the law on trail hunting.

A pressure group called Time For Change, which is led by the League Against Cruel Sports, was set up last month to lobby ministers to strengthen the Hunting Act.

It includes 32 animal welfare charity groups such as the RSPCA, Human Society International UK, Cats Protection and PETA.

Andy Knott, chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, said:

“We’ve known since very soon after the Hunting Act 2004 was introduced that hunts were using its many exemptions – and something they call trail hunting – to carry on chasing and killing wildlife with hounds. 

“We and other like-minded organisations have been calling out for the law to be strengthened, for its many exemptions to be removed, and for trail hunting to be outlawed.”

Councillors raise concerns about role of planning committees on North Yorkshire Council

Councillors have raised concerns about how planning committees have been operating on the new North Yorkshire Council, with some meetings being cancelled due to a lack of suitable applications.

North Yorkshire Council created six planning committees organised by parliamentary constituency areas where a group of cross-party councillors meet around once every six weeks to approve, refuse or defer large or controversial planning applications.

Previous planning committees held on the old district councils would regularly have an agenda of three or more applications for councillors to debate.

But the Skipton & Ripon planning committee last week had just one application for a garage conversion and other committees including Harrogate & Knaresborough and Selby & Ainsty have had meetings cancelled altogether as nothing was brought forward by officers.

Conservative councillor for Bentham & Ingleton, David Ireton, said he believes the current situation is unsustainable. 

He said:

“If we’re getting so few applications we will in my view see amalgamation of planning committees.

“By the time you’ve travelled, you’ve spent an afternoon to discuss one application. We’re in danger of losing our identity as a constituency planning committee.”

Councillors who sit on planning committees are able to ‘call in’ particularly contentious applications in their areas, but only if there are sound planning reasons.

North Yorkshire Council planning officer Neville Watson said more applications are now being decided by officers but promised that councillors will still be able to bring forward applications to committee if they meet the threshold. 

He said:

“You will end up with a reduced number of applications but they will be the more contentious or difficult applications and the planning committee is the proper forum for that.

“That’s the way things are moving.”

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This appeared to frustrate Green Party councillor for Aire Valley, Andy Brown, who said: 

“I do want my say. I think I’m entitled to that because I’ve been elected.”

Conservative councillor for Wathvale & Bishop Monkton, Nick Brown, suggested that planning officers had been too powerful on Harrogate Borough Council and said he hoped councillors would be trusted to make key planning decisions on the new authority. 

He said:

“I do think from past experience in Harrogate that councillors were not thought of in a helpful light. If a member knows there’s an application that should be contentious then their view should be held.”

The next Harrogate & Knaresborough planning committee is on July 25 and Skipton & Ripon will be on August 1.

Electric vehicle parking strategy being drawn up for Knaresborough

North Yorkshire Council has said it is working on a strategy for electric vehicle parking in Knaresborough after a petition was launched against the current arrangements.

Ten parking bays in Chapel Street Car Park, which were set aside for electric vehicles at the end of last year, are frequently empty.

Town centre parking in Knaresborough is notoriously difficult and the sight of empty bays while shoppers in petrol and diesel cars struggle to find spaces has infuriated traders, who say they are losing customers and taxpayers are being deprived of parking revenue.

The problem is particularly acute on Wednesday market days and Saturdays.

Five shops are displaying the petition, which was launched on Monday, calling for the council “to enter into urgent dialogue to discuss a phased transition to full electric vehicle provision”.

Traders want to see some of the EV charging stations available to all vehicles until demand for electric vehicle parking increases.

Chapel Street car park EV electric vehicles

Empty bays in Chapel Street Car Park.

Hairdresser Kelly Teggin, who launched the petition on Monday, has said the current arrangements are losing Knaresborough 500 to 1,000 shoppers a week.

She aims to get 500 signatures, which would require North Yorkshire Council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee to debate the matter. About 300 have signed so far.

The Stray Ferret asked the council to respond to some of the traders’ concerns.

Barrie Mason, the council’s assistant director for highways and transport, provided written responses we have quoted below.

1 Engagement with the council has been almost non-existent

“The electric vehicle charging bays were installed as part of ultra-low emission vehicle strategy in 2019, with economic growth at its core.

“In March this year, our officers attended a public meeting with parties such as the town council. The session was to inform the public about the latest developments in electric vehicle parking provision in the local area and the feedback was positive.

“In the last few weeks, our officers met with local councillors to agree to collecting data which will help us build a picture of parking in Knaresborough. We can use this data to inform a strategy moving forward.”

2 Do non-electric car drivers get tickets for parking in the EV bays?

“The regulations are currently being re-written for all the car parks in North Yorkshire to include EV charging bays.”

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3 Do electric vehicles have to pay for parking while they charge?

“Yes, electric vehicles must pay to park whilst they charge during the chargeable hours of the car park.”

4 Why was a four-hour stay car park chosen when it takes eight hours to fully charge vehicles?

“The funding used to deliver the chargers states that the bays must be free for residential use between the hours of 6pm to 8am to encourage residential uptake of electric vehicles in areas with little or no off-street parking.

“It is expected that a visitor charging their vehicle for the four hours allowed in Knaresborough between 8am to 6pm would add around 120 miles to the range of the car.

“North Yorkshire’s electric vehicle infrastructure strategy, adopted in May 2023, aims to guarantee that charging is available for all those that need it.

“We want to ensure that people can charge their vehicle whilst they spend time in that place, hopefully increasing their spending with local businesses.

“The increase in range for visitors over four hours should offer enough charge to either get home or go to the most convenient rapid charging point.”