The government has approved a motorway service station on the A1 near Kirby Hill after 25 years of public inquiries and planning battles.
The proposal from Dublin-based company Applegreen will see the service station built between junctions 48 and 49 of the A1(M) northbound, between Boroughbridge and Ripon.
A filling station, hot and cold food outlets, a drive-through coffee shop will be built and 364 car parking spaces created.
However, a separate appeal from Moto Hospitality Ltd for a motorway service station on the A1 near Ripon has been rejected.
In a saga which has spanned a quarter of a century, Applegreen’s application has been before multiple council planning committees, faced four public inquiries and been turned down twice by the Secretary of State and the High Court.
Councillors on Harrogate Borough Council initially rejected the latest plan in 2019, but Applegreen took the decision to an appeal hearing, which was held in February.
Read more:
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Villagers battle weary as fourth inquiry into A1 service station starts
- ‘There is a need’ for A1 service station near Kirby Hill, inquiry told
The inquiry, which was held by planning inspector David Rose and streamed onto YouTube, lasted two weeks and included multiple testimonies from residents, campaigners and developer Applegreen.
The proposed motorway service station site on the A1 northbound near Kirby Hill.
In a decision notice today, Mr Rose said after considering the evidence that the benefits of a service station would outweigh the harm.
He said:
“In summary, considerable weight attaches to the less than substantial harm relative to the identified designated heritage assets.
“Loss of best and most versatile agricultural land is also a further negative factor of moderate weight.
“However, individually, and cumulatively, the wider public benefit in meeting the demonstrable need for a motorway service area, for the safety and welfare of motorists, would outweigh that harm.”
Speaking to the Stray Ferret earlier this month, Gareth Owens, chair of the Kirby Hill Residents Against Motorway Services, said the group was prepared to continue to oppose the plan whatever the outcome of the appeal.
Call to reduce Ripon barracks development by 500 homes
Ripon City Council is calling for a 500-homes reduction in the size of the barracks development.
The 1,300-dwelling Clotherholme scheme proposed by Homes England, has raised concerns about the impact of more vehicles on Ripon’s roads.
City council leader Andrew Williams, told the Stray Ferret:
“We support comprehensive redevelopment of the former barracks site and welcome the much-needed new and affordable homes it will bring.
“However, we believe that to avoid traffic gridlock in Ripon, numbers need to be scaled back to 800.”
Residents living on Kirkby Road are among those concerned about the traffic that the Clotherholme development will generate.
The call for reduced numbers was supported at a recent special meeting of the city council.
Councillors also approved spending on a further report from Ripon-based traffic, highways and transport engineering consultant David Walpole.
When the Ripon Neighbourhood Plan was being drawn up, it was envisaged that the barracks site would provide space for 800 new homes.
The site, encompassing Claro Barracks, Deverell Barracks and Laver Banks, initially included 11 hectares earmarked for employment uses.
After the allocation of land for employment uses was reduced, Homes England sought outline planning approval for a 1,300-home scheme.
A transport assessment prepared in support of the development, was described as ‘flawed’ by Ripon City Council.
It claimed it fails to address core issues local residents have raised.
City councillor Mike Chambers, who is also Harrogate Borough Council‘s cabinet member for homes and safer communities and a North Yorkshire county councillor, said:
“There are clearly traffic issues that need to be looked at.
“We want to work with Homes England and planners to achieve the best possible result for the people of Ripon.”
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Kirkby Road will be the principal route linking the Clotherholme development with the city centre.
Residents living there, including members of the Ripon Residents Action Group, have consistently lobbied for road improvements ahead of the construction of new housing.
Three of Harrogate district’s five council pools remain closed
Although the covers of some council-run swimming pool were rolled back yesterday, there is still no date when Knaresborough, Ripon and Starbeck pools will reopen.
Harrogate Borough Council has reopened The Hydro in Harrogate and Nidderdale Pool in Pateley Bridge.
But Knaresborough pool, which has been closed since the end of last year, remains shut as do pools in Ripon and Starbeck.
In its Residents’ News email sent yesterday, the council said Knaresborough pool required repairs and covid restrictions were still preventing Spanish engineers from travelling to fix the filtration equipment.
It said it was “highly unlikely the engineers will be given permission to travel any time soon” and added the council had been in talks with UK pool specialists and were “working up plans to completely replace the faulty equipment”. The newsletter said:
“This is likely to be a more costly solution, but we are keen to ensure our residents in the east of the district have easy access to a pool as soon as possible.”
Across the district in Ripon there is a similar story. The Spa Baths are currently up for sale and remain closed to the public.
A new Ripon pool and leisure centre development was scheduled for completion at the end of next month but has been delayed until November 2021.
The council told the Stray Ferret that further updates on the Ripon development would be released in the coming weeks.
There is also no news on the future of Starbeck Baths.
Read more:
- In response to a second FOI Harrogate Borough Council said the final costs of Ripon’s new leisure centre is not yet known.
- Ripon councillors begin a campaign to reopen the Spa Baths.
Hair cuts at last! 6.30am queue forms for Ripon barbers
Normal Monday opening hours at City Barbers in High Skellgate, Ripon are 8am to 5pm — but today was no normal Monday.
With no appointment necessary, nothing could be left to chance.
Brian Knowles, a regular at the shop for more than 20 years, was first in the queue at 6.30am.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“I’ve been waiting 24 weeks for this since November 8 and it feels great.”
Brian Knowles, first in the queue after a 24-week wait to have his hair professionally cut.
With a fine head of hair to look after, Mr Knowles admitted that he had bought a ‘do it yourself kit’ to keep those annoying straggling hairs off his ears during lockdown.
He said:
“I had to make sure the DIY kit was fully charged, as I didn’t want it cutting out on me while I was using it.”
Help was at hand when granddaughter Isobel stopped by to give Mr Knowles a trim.
But he admits:
“Nothing can beat having it done professionally'”
As they waited their turn in one of the three chairs working at full capacity, the Stray Ferret heard some bad DIY hair day stories.
With names withheld to protect relationships and avoid embarrassment, they included:
“My wife has been having a good hack at mine from time to time. I’m just lucky to still have ears!”
“I tried a do it yourself job and cut out a great clump of hair — I won’t be doing that again in a hurry!”
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City Barbers, in line with other barbers and hairdressers, faces a busy day as they operate with strict social distancing and hygiene measures in place.
Ripon races set to return next weekRipon racecourse will stage its first fixture of the 2021 season next week.
As with all meetings at the Boroughbridge Road track in 2020, the first fixtures on 15 and 24 April and 7 and 16 May will be behind closed doors.
With the subsequent easing of covid lockdown measures, the first racegoers will be allowed through the gates from 27 May.
Jonathan Mullin, marketing manager for Ripon Races, told the Stray Ferret:
“A maximum of 4,000 racegoers will be allowed on these dates and people wanting to attend must book in advance.
“We still have a limited number of paddock tickets available for 27 May, the evening meetings on 2 and 16 June and the afternoon meeting on our ladies day of 17 June.”
The first fixture is next week, but will be behind closed doors
Ticket sales are currently suspended for the remaining nine fixtures between 5 July and 25 September.
With the government’s roadmap moving towards a lifting of all covid restrictions on 21 June, Mr Mullin said:
“We are waiting to see what happens before tickets go on sale for these fixtures.”
Updates will be available on the website ripon-races.co.uk and on Facebook.
In a normal year, the track, known as ‘Yorkshire’s garden racecourse’ because of its floral splendour, attracts thousands of people through its gates.
Read more:
The highlight of Ripon racing calendar is the Great St Wilfrid Stakes in August.
Covid vaccinations taking place at the course do not clash with race days.
Gyms: Excitement mounts but group classes still limitedGyms and leisure centres in the Harrogate district are preparing to reopen next week after more than three months of lockdown.
But although thousands of people in the district are desperate to start lunging, pressing and punching their way back to fitness, gym life won’t be completely back to normal.
Ongoing social distancing restrictions mean many group training classes still won’t be available.
Ryan Tansley, owner of CrossFit Harrogate, at Hornbeam Park, said he was looking forward to reopening but because it couldn’t offer structured classes, it would operate more along the lines of an open gym.
CrossFit Harrogate has offered discounted rates to members during lockdown, and provided Zoom classes and various challenges, such as performing the most burpees.
Mr Tansley said:
“People have had to adapt but it will be so good to get back to seeing people.”
No sparring allowed
Contact won’t be allowed at Harrogate boxing and martial arts gym H Hour Boxing and Kao Loi, when it reopens next week, which means no sparring and pad work.
Owner Rob Smith said it will operate predominantly as a fitness gym rather than a combat gym until the situation changes. He said:
“We will do boxing training for fitness but our bread and butter is training people to compete and that’s on hold.”
The gym has produced many champion fighters, including Thai boxer Rachael Jones MacKenzie, but the impact of lockdown has left its future uncertain.
Rob Smith is the head coach at H Hour Amateur Boxing Gym.
Mr Smith plans to skydive to raise £5,000 to keep the gym afloat three days before his 50th birthday next month.
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- Harrogate boxing and martial arts gym fighting for survival
- Bodybuilding barber David Steca to stage Mr Harrogate
Ripon refurbishment
As owner of Intrim in Ripon for the last 18 years, Phill McKay has been flying the flag for independent gyms at a time when big chains have been taking over. He said:
“We are as excited as our members are. We have air-con going in this week and a gym makeover so we will be ready to receive old and new members. We have also rebranded and have new equipment planned.”
Phill McKay of Intrim
Absolute Fitness in Boroughbridge, run by former World’s Strongest Man competitor Darren Sadler, who now promotes the biggest strongman events on the planet, is also reopening on Monday.
Functional fitness in Knaresborough
“We are so excited to get back to some form of normality and finally have our fitness community back at Black Wolf HQ.“They are what has kept us alive during this topsy-turvy time, and we can’t wait to welcome them back and celebrate what is hopefully set to be a fantastic summer.”
“We are pretty much going back to the same restrictions as before the January lockdown with the addition of twice weekly testing for all staff.“We have been on restricted numbers since we were allowed to reopen last year so for use things are similar to before Christmas.”
Pure Gym in Harrogate will open on Monday. The gym will be open 24 hours but studio classes will not begin until May 17.
Leisure facilities managed by Harrogate Borough Council are also due to resume on Monday. But again, things aren’t totally back to normal. A council spokesman said:
Police appeal after CCTV camera damaged in Ripon“The pool at The Hydro in Harrogate and Nidderdale Pool will reopen on April 12 for lane swimming and family sessions.
“Brimhams fitness centres at The Hydro, Nidderdale Leisure Centre and Ripon Leisure Centre will also reopen to members only.
“Turkish Baths Harrogate will reopen from this date for treatments only.”
North Yorkshire Police appealed today for witnesses after a CCTV camera on Bondgate in Ripon was damaged.
Police said the incident occurred at about 9pm on Sunday, February 21.
They issued a rather grainy CCTV image of a person wearing a mask who they hope to speak to about the incident.
Anyone who recognises the person, or has any information, is asked to call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for PC Sarah Hargreaves.
Or email the officer at sarah.hargreaves1995@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.
To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote police reference number 12210064248.
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- A man from Killinghall has been jailed after driving at a police car twice.
Ripon firefighters rescue cat chased up tree by dog
A fire crew from Ripon rescued a cat that got stuck up a tree yesterday after being chased by a dog.
An RSPCA officer requested help after being unable to coax the eight-month-old moggy down.
The animal got stuck up the 20-foot high tree, on Spring Bank Close in Ripon, shortly before midday.
RSPCA officers at first advised the cat’s owners to use strong smelling food to encourage it to come down.
But when this didn’t work they came to help in person.
The North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service crew from Ripon used ladders and a machine-powered saw to retrieve the cat.
It was then returned to its owners unharmed.
It is the second time in recent weeks that firefighters have rescued a cat from a tree in Ripon.
Thanks to @NorthYorksFire Blue Watch for helping ARO Holgate rescue this #cat stuck up a tree in #Ripon, the cat had been chased up the tree by a dog. Thankfully he was unharmed & reunited with its grateful owner! @RSPCA_official 49 pic.twitter.com/mCNEn3XZTS
— RSPCA Frontline (@RSPCA_Frontline) April 5, 2021
Read more:
- Lucky cat Loki is rescued in Ripon after getting stuck in a tree.
- A ginger cat was found by the RSPCA “on the brink of death” after being shot.
A spokesperson for the animal welfare charity said:
Ripon home devastated by early morning fire“We’re extremely pleased that this cat could be rescued and reunited with the owner.
“RSPCA officers are trained to use ladders, which they carry for rescues like this, however, in situations where they still are unable to reach the animals we may ask the fire service to help and they often use animal rescues as a vital training aid.
“The RSPCA can request the help of the fire and rescue service but it is entirely up to them whether or not to attend. Some crews use animal rescues for training but emergencies involving people will always take priority.”
An overnight fire has devastated a home in Ripon.
Crews from Ripon, Harrogate and Boroughbridge were summoned to deal with the blaze, which occurred in Westgate at about 1.45am this morning.
Smoking has been identified as a possible cause.
The fire broke out in a first floor bedroom.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident summary said:
“The fire caused 100% fire damage to the bed and 60% fire damage to the bedroom, 100% smoke damage to the first floor and light smoke damage to ground floor.
“Crews used four breathing appartaus, one hose reel, small tools and positive pressure ventilation.
“The cause is unknown but may have been caused by smoking materials.”
Harrogate firefighters were also called to a fire in a children’s play park on Jenny Field Drive.
A bucket of water used to extinguish the fire, which occurred at about 6.15pm last night.
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Ripon’s Himalayan Garden set to reopen today
The Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park near Ripon is set to reopen today. The 45-acre site in Grewelthorpe is home to 80 outdoor sculptures and nearly 20,000 plants.
The gardens were shortlisted for the BBC Countryfile Magazine awards 2020 and were winners of the Yorkshire in Bloom tourist attraction award in 2018 and 2019.
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- Ambitious bid to reinstate Harrogate – Ripon – Northallerton trainline
- Ripley Show cancelled due to covid
A spokesperson for the gardens said:
“We believe that being outdoors and in beautiful gardens is restorative and important for people’s wellbeing. It can be a source of much-needed tranquillity in these super-anxious times.
“We are, however, mindful that the safety of visitors and our staff is our number one priority. We’re pleased to welcome visitors, that they may enjoy the blooms of spring in a safe and tranquil environment.”
The gardens have implemented additional staff training and measures to ensure key points, such as the visitors’ entrance, are safe. Natural materials have been used to create one-way systems and social distancing markers. Visitors must book tickets in advance. The plant sale area will be open and the tearoom and refreshment horsebox will be serving takeaways.
The spokesperson added:
“Thankfully, our attraction benefits from being in the great outdoors with plenty of space.”
The actor Joanna Lumley, who is patron of the gardens, said:
“They are a slice of paradise. Gardens are the greatest healers on earth, and as our stressful anxious lives tie us up in knots, we may turn to the sweet silence of the great green earth for solace.”