Metal fencing looks set to remain outside a Harrogate town centre attraction indefinitely.
The fencing was erected across the entrance of the pavilion in Crescent Gardens on Friday last week to block a group of rough sleepers.
The group had occupied the pavilion for two weeks and returned twice after being dispersed.
The fencing has now been in place for five days and nearby residents, who complained of anti-social behaviour during the encampment, are keen to know what long-term measures are being taken to deal with the situation.
There are also concerns about how long the pavilion will be out of bounds from the public as well as the fencing creating an eyesore in the middle of Harrogate.
The Stray Ferret asked North Yorkshire Council, which worked with North Yorkshire Police to disperse the encampment, how long the fencing was expected to remain in place.
A council spokesperson did not give a date but said:
“The fencing was put in place as a temporary measure in response to the issues. Any decision to remove the fencing will be made in partnership with all agencies working on this matter.”
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The spokesperson said no legal powers were used to move on the rough sleepers, who had turned down offers of accommodation.
They added:
“We followed our unauthorised camper procedure, and following discussions with those in situ they voluntarily cleared the site and moved location.”
Asked what other measures it was taking, besides the fencing, to deal with the situation, the spokesperson said:
“There is a multi-agency approach to this with regular meetings – the situation is being monitored.”
Killinghall to get new cricket pavilion
Killinghall Cricket Club has been given the go-ahead to build a new two-storey pavilion.
North Yorkshire Council approved the club’s planning application today, after saying previous designs would have been too large and overbearing.
The decision paves the way for the demolition of the current 1970s building, which has two small changing areas and communal showers that give little privacy.
The club hopes the new pavilion will be more appealing to female players and umpires, who currently have to arrive in kit or get changed in the toilets or communal areas.
The current pavilion
Trevor Watson, assistant director of planning at the council, included a series of conditions attached to the decision.
They included that development must begin within three years and construction work can only take place between 8am and 6pm from Monday to Friday and from 8am to 3pm on Saturdays.
Killinghall finished fourth in division one of this year’s Nidderdale and District Amateur Cricket League.
Since the demolition of the Three Horseshoes pub and the long-term closure of The Greyhounds Inn, the club pavilion and bar has become a social centre for the village at weekends.
It hopes the new pavilion will enhance this and encourage junior players.
The club said in planning documents:
“This development is very much needed to the club and the village community.”
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Rough sleepers evicted from Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens
A group of rough sleepers in Harrogate‘s Crescent Gardens has been evicted this morning after occupying the pavilion for two weeks.
Representatives from North Yorkshire Council‘s property services division and North Yorkshire Police began the move-on operation just before 9am this morning.
The council also brought a van to gather the rough sleepers’ belongings.
One nearby resident, who asked not to be named, said some people started arguing with the council after they were told to disperse but there was no violence.
He added:
“One or two sleepers appeared frustrated and declined to cooperate, but they eventually started packing and leaving from 9.15am.
“The police were present to ensure the operation was non-violent.”
The operation ended at approximately 9.40am.
Larger items, such as mattresses, were removed by the council.
The Stray Ferret first reported the encampment after nearby residents raised concerns about anti-social behaviour last week.
One of those residents, Eileen Dockray, said after today’s developments:
“I’m now concerned that the police and the council, who both tried to pass this problem back and forth between each other, should now come together and work out who’s responsible for dealing with this sort of problem in the future.
“We, the public, also need to know who we can go to for help when a situation like this arises again, as it surely will.”
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Killinghall Cricket Club resubmits plan for new pavilion
Killinghall Cricket Club has applied to demolish its current “dilapidated” clubhouse and build a new two-storey pavilion that it says will be fit for the sport in the 21st century.
According to planning documents submitted to North Yorkshire Council, the current 1970s-era structure was made with single-skin brickwork and has poorly insulated single-glazed windows.
It has led to expensive running costs for the club, which plays in the Nidderdale league.
There are two small changing areas with communal showers, which offers little privacy and has discouraged players from using them.
Female cricketers and umpires have nowhere designated to get changed, so have to use communal areas, the toilets or come already changed.
The current pavilion in Killinghall.
The club submitted plans to build a larger pavilion in January but following feedback from a planning officer that it would be too large and overbearing, they have decided to submit a new application for a smaller building.
The latest plans, designed by KPP Architects, include a main function room that is connected to the kitchen, toilets and bar. A disabled toilet and shower will also be built on the ground floor.
The first floor will have two large changing rooms as well as a scorer’s board.
The previous design for the pavilion at Killinghall.
The current facilities for the scorers on match days are currently inside a wooden hut, which the club says is neither attractive nor very comfortable to sit in.
A players’ balcony will also be created for teams to watch the match.
Planning documents state the new pavilion will help grow the sport in Killinghall and offer a social space for villagers.
It says:
“The proposal brings improvements to the existing facilities beyond the applicant’s vision. The current clubhouse was built in the early 1970s, which is very evident when visiting. The proposal will provide exceptional changing and hosting facilities for visiting teams, which would be of the best in the current Killinghall teams leagues.
“There is a hope to introduce junior cricket back to the cricket club, that used to be a vibrant and engaging part of the local community. The introduction of these new facilities will help facilitate the introduction of this and hopefully attract them to the club.”
The council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.
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Harrogate village cricket pavilion destroyed in suspected arson attack
Arsonists are believed to have destroyed a cricket pavilion in a village near Harrogate.
Firefighters from Harrogate and Knaresborough were called to Weeton Lane in Weeton at 8.40pm last night to reports of a shed fire.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident log added:
“On arrival this was found to be a wooden cricket pavilion which was completely destroyed. Crews used one hose reel to extinguish the fire.”
The incident log did not give a cause of fire but villagers have reported seeing youths fleeing from the scene.
The cricket club in Weeton folded years ago and the pavilion had fallen into a state of disrepair.
Some frustrated villagers are keen to mount a campaign to restore the site to community use.
Man’s hand burned
In a separate incident later last night, Harrogate firefighters responded at 10.30pm to a smoke alarm going off in a house on Olive Grove in Harrogate.
The incident log said:
“This involved a candle which is believed to have been left unattended, causing smouldering to surrounding surface.
“One male suffered burns to his hand, received treatment from fire crew and will make his own way to hospital. Crew also ventilated property. Burn pack used.”
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Killinghall Cricket Club applies to build new two-storey pavilion
Killinghall Cricket Club has submitted plans to demolish its pavilion and construct a two-storey replacement on the same site.
Planning documents sent to Harrogate Borough Council describe the current 1970s structure as “deteriorating and neglected” and would cost more to refurbish than it is worth.
It is poorly insulated with ageing communal showers and the changing rooms lack privacy, the documents say. They add:
“Umpires and female cricketers currently have nowhere designated to get changed, so have to use communal areas, the toilets or come already changed. The facilities for the scorers on matchdays are currently a wooden hut situated next to the clubhouse, which is neither attractive nor very comfortable to sit in.”
Killinghall CC has been on the rise in recent years, Last year the team were crowned first division champions in the Nidderdale and District Cricket League.
The club has opened up its facilities to the public during summer.
Since the demolition of the Three Horseshoes pub and long-term closure of The Greyhounds Inn, the club has also used its pavilion and bar to provide a social centre for the village at weekends.
It hopes a new pavilion would help it fulfil this and encourage the creation of a junior team. The documents say:
“The proposal will provide exceptional changing and hosting facilities for visiting teams, which would be of the best in the current Killinghall teams’ leagues.
“There is a hope to introduce junior cricket back to the cricket club, that used to be a vibrant and engaging part of the local community. The introduction of these new facilities will help facilitate the introduction of this and hopefully attract them to the club.”
“This development is very much needed to the club and the village community. We feel that the scale of the pavilion is appropriate for the size of the site and has been carefully considered. The chosen materials and design compliment and contribute positively to the overall character of the pavilion, cricket ground and the surrounding village.”
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