A person was injured following a crash near Bishop Thornton this morning.
A witness told the Stray Ferret the collision happened at a crossroads on Fountains Road near the village.
North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue incident log said the collision happened at 10:12am. It said:
“Both Harrogate crews responded to a road traffic collision involving two vehicles.
“All casualties were out on arrival when fire crews arrived.”
The service added that crews helped with “scene safety” and causalities were transported to hospital in an ambulance.
A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said the injured person suffered a “possible broken leg”.
Read more:
- Lidl scraps plans to open Ripon retail park store
- Council approves staff accommodation plan at Follifoot equestrian centre
Grantley Hall near Ripon wins helipad appeal
Grantley Hall has won an appeal against a council order preventing it from using a helipad after an alleged planning breach.
The former Harrogate Borough Council issued an enforcement notice in September 2022 against the hotel for using the helipad for take off and landings without planning permission.
However, the luxury hotel, which is located five miles west of Ripon, challenged the order and appealed to the government’s Planning Inspectorate.
In documents submitted to a planning inspector, the hotel argued that there was “clear evidence for the demand for this facility”.
But, the council argued that the helipad location caused damage to the area and the significance of a heritage asset in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Now, a planning inspector has sided with the hotel over the matter and quashed the enforcement order.
Picture of the helipad in the Grantley Hall grounds, as submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
B S Rogers, the inspector who oversaw the appeal, said in a report that he recognised that the hotel had already offered conditions for the proposal in a report know as the “Grantley Hall Hotel Helipad Aviation Summary Report”.
These included restricting flights to 72 visits a year, restricting arrival and departures between 9am and 7pm and that the hotel retain flight data and provide this to the council upon request.
Mr Rogers said it was common ground between the two parties that uncontrolled use of the site would “not be acceptable in this highly sensitive location”.
However, he added that compliance with the conditions would mean the helipad would not “unduly harm the historic environment, the natural environment or the living conditions of local residents”.
Mr Rogers said:
“It would provide a small but significant additional benefit to the local economy. As such, the development would not unduly conflict with the provisions of the development plan or of national policy.”
In response to the appeal outcome, Nuno César de Sá, general manager at Grantley Hall, said:
“Grantley Hall is delighted with the outcome of the appeal and the positive impact this will bring to our business.
“As the hotel enters its’ fifth year of operation and with trading going from strength to strength this decision will allow us to continue to attract key clients to the hotel who wish to arrive by helicopter.
“We will work closely with the local authority to fulfil the operational obligations set in place and remain open to constructive feedback and communication with relevant parties to ensure that minimum disruption is caused within our local environment.”
Read more:
Three planning withdrawals
The hotel withdrew plans for the helicopter landing pad for a third time in June 2021 after council officers recommended rejecting the proposal.
Nidderdale AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), Grantley and Sawley Parish Council and several residents objected to the plans, with one local describing the application as “totally unnecessary” and “self-fulfilling”.
The hotel has withdrawn three applications and had another rejected since first asking for permission to use an existing helipad in 2018.
Grantley Hall opened as a hotel after a £70 million refurbishment in 2019.
It was once used by West Riding County Council between 1947 and 1974 as an adult education residential college, as well as a training and conference centre by North Yorkshire County Council.
Police appeal following indecent exposure in RiponNorth Yorkshire Police has appealed for information following a report of indecent exposure in Ripon.
The force said a witness reported seeing a man on Park Street who had his hood up and both hands near his genitals.
The incident happened on Christmas Eve.
A police statement added:
“The witness reported she believed he was performing a sexual act.
“The male is described as white, aged between 60 and 75, with straight hair poking out of hood.
“He was wearing distinctive khaki-coloured socks with baggy trousers which looked strapped to the leg or belted. He was wearing a coat that was long and beige, and not waterproof.”
Officers have asked members of the public to “be vigilant” and report any information that could assist the investigation:
“Call 101, quoting reference 12230243453, for the attention of the York Initial Enquiry Team.”
Read more:
- Leeds United footballer banned from driving after speeding in Harrogate
- Burglars in balaclavas break into Ripon motorbike shop
Halls of Ripon to expand through major reconfiguration
Halls of Ripon, the city’s only department store, is increasing its floorspace as part of a major revamp and reconfiguration.
The store in Fishergate which is home to 16 independent retailers, will be temporarily closed from Friday and is scheduled re-open in early February.
Owned by Ripon-based property investment and development company Sterne Properties Ltd, the former Wrens store re-opened under its new Halls of Ripon branding in July 2021.
Halls of Ripon director Mike Cooper (pictured below) whose son Barry runs Red Buttons Jewellers within the store, told the Stray Ferret:
“It’s testimony to the strength of Ripon’s independent retail offer that we are expanding when many of the big names on the high street are closing stores.”
He pointed out:
“The demand for space remains very strong and we will be able to satisfy that demand with a reconfiguration that will create room for up to seven more independent businesses.”
Halls of Ripon director Mike Cooper
For Zoe Wotherspoon, who owns the ladies fashion, accessories and gifts retailer Robin Gifts, the increased space is timely.
She said:
“We have done so well since opening our second outlet at Halls last February, that we decided to move out of Harrogate and consolidate our offer at one location.”
Ms Wotherspoon, added:
“The revamp will give us 40 percent more space in the prime location at the front of the store and we feel very confident for the future as we continue to attract new customers.”
While the work at the front half of the department store is under way, The Hive Cafe, which can be accessed from the Marshall Way car park entrance, will remain open throughout.
Keeley Buller who co-owns the business with her partner David Ward, said:
“Over the past 30 months we have built a loyal customer base and the enhancements that will come with the revamp are good news for us.”
In addition to the reconfiguration of the department store, Sterne Properties will be remodelling the building and installing a new roof to create two high quality apartments on the upper floors of the building.
Main image: Zoe Wotherspoon, whose Robin Gifts business is expanding with the increase in floorspace at Halls of Ripon
Read more:
- Famous Halls retail name back on Ripon high street
- When will the cinema reels be rolling again in Ripon?
The Stray Ferret’s daily newsletter gets a fresh new look
As the Stray Ferret enters its fourth year of providing the best media coverage of the Harrogate district, we have given our daily newsletter a makeover.
The newsletter provides a round-up of what our journalists have been up to. The new look makes it easier than ever to get a snapshot of what is happening, with links to all the articles.
It includes a nightly introduction from Stray Ferret editor John Plummer as well as a round up of our daily news content, plus Photo of the Week, lifestyle features and in-depth topics.
Mr Plummer said:
“We hope the fresh new look appeals to readers. We are very grateful to everyone who reads the Stray Ferret and hope you continue to support independent local journalism in 2024.”
You can sign up here to the newsletter to keep up to date and get the latest news straight to your inbox.
Read more:
- £300,000 upgrade of The Woodlands in Harrogate to begin next week
- Harrogate trains cancelled as flood threat remains
- What has happened to Knaresborough’s new £6 million primary school?
Burglars in balaclavas break into Ripon motorbike shop
North Yorkshire Police is appealing for information following a Ripon burglary on New Year’s Eve.
The force said in statement today that three men broke into Eurotek Sports Motorcyles, on Camp Hill Close, at around 7.30pm on New Year’s Eve.
It added:
“The men, all wearing dark clothing and balaclavas, arrived in a white Ford transit style van, with chevron markings on the rear.
“Officers are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time, or has information that could assist with the investigation to email gareth.skelton@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Gareth Skelton.
“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
“Quote reference number 12230247331 when passing on information.”
The Stray Ferret contacted the police to ask what had been stolen, but the force said there was no “additional information to add at the moment”.
It also said the incident is under investigation and “officers are currently gathering CCTV footage”.
Read more:
Looking ahead: Major projects in the Harrogate district in 2024
The past 12 months have seen major decisions made on development across the Harrogate district.
However, there are some schemes which remain uncertain and 2024 may hold the answer as to whether they progress or continue to stall.
Maltkiln
The last 12 months have been a whirlwind for the new settlement project which promises up to 3,000 near Green Hammerton and Cattal.
However, in January, news broke that a landowner had pulled out of the project threatening the scheme’s existence.
The landowner owns fields around Cattal train station, making up around half of the proposed site.
Now, North Yorkshire Council, which took over responsibility for the major housing scheme in April, has threatened to compulsory purchase land as a “last resort” so the 4,000-home Maltkiln settlement can be built.
Whether the authority follows through on that pledge is a development to keep an eye out for in 2024.
Harrogate Convention Centre
Perhaps one of the biggest question going into the new year is what will happen to the long promised Harrogate Convention Centre redevelopment?
North Yorkshire Council inherited a £49 million refurbishment scheme for the convention centre on Kings Road from the now defunct Harrogate Borough Council in April.
However, it has yet to decide whether to progress with the project.
Harrogate Convention Centre.
A contractor has been appointed to draw up more detailed plans for the redevelopment and a final decision was expected this year.
The convention centre opened in 1982 with conferences providing a boost to the town’s bars, restaurants and hotels, however, it has struggled to turned a profit.
The council failed in bids to the government’s Levelling Up Fund for £20 million to help pay for the project – the latest of which was turned down in November.
A previous bid, which was rejected in January, received feedback from ministers stating that it lacked evidence and rationale and may have over-stated the economic benefits.
Government feedback on the bid, released following a freedom of information request by the Stray Ferret, revealed several areas of concerns with the bid.
This is despite the fact the council, which was abolished at the end of March, paid consultants £45,000 as part of its submission to ministers.
The whole saga leaves the future of the convention centre and its refurbishment uncertain and a decision on it being pushed into another year.
Ripon’s Clotherholme development
One of the last acts of Harrogate Borough Council before it was scrapped in April 2023 was to approve a major 1,300 housing scheme on a former Ripon barracks site.
Homes England, which has been developing the plans for several years alongside the Ministry of Defence, has earmarked the Clotherholme site for new homes and facilities.
It was approved in February 2023, just over a month before the council was scrapped.
Read more:
- New settlement plans ‘paused’ after land withdrawn near Cattal
- Concern over lack of secondary school at new Harrogate district town
- Government says council’s £20m bid for Harrogate Convention Centre lacked ‘evidence and rationale’
Since then, a total of £10 million has been budgeted to cover items in a Section 106 agreement for the project.
The money will fund a number of areas, including off-site highway adjustments and contributions towards primary and secondary education provision and primary healthcare.
Now, residents in Ripon and the wider district await for the news that spades will hit the ground.
Kirby Hill services
The 25-year saga which is Kirby Hill took another turn in 2023.
Dublin-based company Applegreen, which wants to build a motorway service station near the village, tabled final plans for the project.
The proposals were approved in September – however, campaigners threatened to take the decision to a judicial review.
Designs for the service station near Kirby Hill, as proposed by Applegreen.
Applegreen, which is based in Dublin, applied for amendments to the proposal, including an extension to the length of the slip roads and increasing the permissible height of the eastern dumbbell roundabout by up to 1.25 metres.
But, Gareth Owens, chair of the Kirby Hill RAMS, said the move amounted to “significant change” to the scheme and confirmed the campaign group would challenge the approval.
It seems the saga which has been a quarter of a century in the making may yet go on for another year.
Gallery: Sensational fireworks display sees New Year arrive with a bang in RiponThe New Year arrived with a huge bang as Ripon ushered in 2024 in spectacular fashion last night with a fireworks display, the like of which has never been seen before in the city centre.
For 10 minutes from the stroke of midnight on the Ripon Cathedral clock, revellers who had earlier danced to the Caribbean beat of the Jamsalana Steel Band were treated to an exhibition of precision pyrotechnics.
A pulsating palette of colours burst upon the night sky in wave after wave of controlled explosion and at its conclusion a gathering of more than 2,000 people on Market Square spontaneously applauded.
Ripon City Council leader Andrew Williams, who put £1,000 of his North Yorkshire Council locality budget towards the cost of the display, told the Stray Ferret:
“We wanted it to be bigger and better than last year’s fireworks finale and it certainly was!”
He added:
“I’ve never seen anything like this in the city centre before and while I know it won’t have been to everybody’s liking, the automatic reaction of the audience spoke for itself.”
The number of people on Market Square grew throughout the evening and by midnight, more than 2,000 were present to see the fireworks
Last night’s New Year’s Eve event, paid for from the parish precept, has been staged over decades by the city council and is firmly established on the authority’s annual calendar.
Before Jamsalana (pictured below) struck up, there was the ever-present reminder for Ripon residents and visitors of the city’s rich heritage, when Wayne Cobbett, a member of the hornblower team, set the watch with blasts at the four corners of the obelisk.
The instrument that he uses, is the 1996 horn, donated to the city to celebrate the 1100th anniversary since Alfred the Great, the first Anglo-Saxon King of England, gave a ceremonial horn to the people of Ripon in thanks for the courage they showed in fighting off a Viking incursion in 886 AD.
The Mayor of Ripon Councillor Sid Hawke, who was celebrating his birthday, was present for the setting of the watch and later, in another city tradition, he returned to Market Square with Mayoress Linda Hawke after leading a candle-lit procession from the cathedral, attended by clergy and members of the congregation.
The procession included the Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson, Canons Michael Gisbourne, Matthew Pollard and the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Revd Anna Eltringham, who blessed the crowd from the town hall balcony.
Main image: The spectacular fireworks display provided the finale to an evening of celebration on Market Square
Read More:
- Will 2024 see the return of cinema to Ripon?
- See how Ripon played a key role in last year’s coronation celebrations
Looking Back: King’s coronation was a royal affair in the Harrogate district
King Charles III celebrated his coronation this year – and the Harrogate district certainly celebrated with him.
From street parties and parades to afternoon tea and live music, people went all out to mark the new king in May.
See our gallery below to look back on the royal celebrations near you.
Harrogate
Over the three-day weekend, Harrogate saw a range of celebratory events.
People gathered for an afternoon tea at the Oatlands Community Centre, others watched a livestream on the big screen in the Valley Gardens.
Local businesses also showed their colours — and some four-legged friends even waved the flag for the day.
Afternoon tea at Oatlands Community Centre.
The Valley Gardens was also looking patriotic for the occasion.
People watched a livestream in the Valley Gardens.
Local businesses got into the royal spirit.
Betsy got coronation ready too!
Ripon
Ripon kicked off the royal celebrations with a live performance from Complete Madness in the Market Square.
Services in the cathedral and street parties followed, and surrounding villages gathered to mark the occasion too.
Former Ripon Grammar School student, 72-year-old Bruce Oldfield, even designed Queen Camilla’s coronation dress.
Fountains Abbey was lit up in honour of the King.
Floral displays created by the Ripon Cathedral Flower Guild and Ripon Flower Club.
Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Ms Jo Ropner and the Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson.
Complete Madness kicking off the celebrations.
Residents of Carr Close threw a street party.
Around 100 people partied on the street.
Masham and Kirkby Malzeard
Masham and Kirkby Malzeard residents came out in their droves to celebrate the royal event.
There was a car rally, a float parade, BBQs, maypole dancing and more.
Masham had a float parade.
Maypole dancing in Kirkby Malzeard.
Vintage cars also rallied as part of the parade.
Knaresborough
Knaresborough House held a livestream of the coronation service, as well as a Coronation Concert over the weekend.
The concert, which was held at Knaresborough Castle, celebrated at music through time and people smiled as the sun shone down.
Livestream at Knaresborough House.
Hundreds gathered for the Coronation Concert.
Knitting Pretty and Number Thirteen in Knaresborough were decorated for the coronation.
Read more:
- As it happened: Harrogate district celebrates King Charles II coronation
- As it happened: Second day of coronation celebrations in Harrogate district
No.3: Leisure centre revolution in Harrogate and Knaresborough
In this article, which is part of a series on the 12 stories in the Harrogate district that shaped 2023, we’re looking at the council’s £47.9 million investment into local leisure centres.
The Harrogate district has undergone something of a council leisure centre revolution in recent years – with Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon all boasting multi-million pound developments.
The process has certainly not been plain sailing. From sink holes and temporary gyms to delays, North Yorkshire Council’s fitness projects have rarely been out of the Stray Ferret news.
But by the end of the year it was hard to dispute the view of Mark Tweedie, the managing director of Brimhams Active, which runs leisure facilities on behalf of the council, that the district’s facilities were the envy of North Yorkshire.
In a further twist, however, the new North Yorkshire Council has now said it is to scrap Brimhams and bring all of the county’s leisure services back in-house.
Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre
The former Harrogate Hydro, now known as the Harrogate Leisure and Wellness Centre, opened in September following an almost 18-month transformation.
The £13.5 million refurbishment included a 400-square metre fitness centre, a new sauna and steam room, improved reception area and café, as well as an overhaul of the existing gym, spin, leisure and swimming facilities.
The Brimhams Active-run site boasts three swimming pools: a 25-metre lane pool, a diving pool and a children’s pool.
People can also attend fitness classes, including an immersive spin class, pilates and yoga.
The opening was well-received. When the Stray Ferret reported on it, one person’s comment on social media summed up how many felt:
“It’s amazing, we are so lucky to have theses facilities in Harrogate.”
In May, North Yorkshire Council said the cost of the scheme had increased from a budgeted £11.9 million.
Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre
The long-awaited Knaresborough Leisure and Wellness Centre opened its doors in December.
Work began on the site, which is next to the former Knaresborough Pool, in April 2022 after plans were approved the month before.
It was originally expected to open in summer, however, the opening date was repeatedly delayed until this month.
The transformed centre now offers a six-lane 25-metre pool, a leisure pool and slide, and a 60-station fitness suite.
Like the Harrogate site, there is also a sauna and steam room, a café, a group cycling studio and a studio for fitness classes.
The outdoor children’s play area is still in the works but is expected to open in January.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for arts, culture and housing, Cllr Simon Myers, told the Stray Ferret ahead of its opening:
“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.”
Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre, Ripon
The Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre, in Ripon, has not only faced the most bumps – or holes – in the road, but also the biggest expenditure of the three.
Although the site officially reopened in March last year, Ripon residents are yet to see the full transformation.
The old part of the site is locked in a sinkhole groundhog day of never-ending work on a “void” beneath the building, which remains closed.
Following the discovery of the void, which is believed to have been there for several years, the now defunct Harrogate Borough Council submitted a planning application to install a temporary gym in the centre’s car park in July 2022.
This was to enable the closure of the existing gym on the upper floor of the 28-year-old building, which was found to require £3.5 million worth of ground stabilisation works.
The temporary structure was supposed to open that autumn – just months after the application was submitted – however, the installation was continually delayed.
It was not until April this year that the £300,000 building, which houses the temporary gym, was installed.
The stabilisation work, which began in June, brought the cost to £18 million — £8 million over budget.
However, that too has not come without challenges.
North Yorkshire Council said in October its movement checks revealed multiple cracks up to 10mm long.
It said the cracks have affected the “weather tightness of the building and the operation of doors and windows” but added specialists had said there were no safety concerns.
The council said at the time the estimated completion date and costs were “under review”.
Works at the site.
‘Stop throwing good money after bad’
Councillor Andrew Williams, a member of the Conservative and Independents group at the council and leader of Ripon City Council, said last year it was time to stop “throwing good money after bad” and to “look for a suitable location for a new leisure centre to be built on sound land”.
In response to the discovery of the cracks, Cllr Williams said:
“The building is under very close monitoring to ensure that there is no movement as the works progress, if there is movement then the position will have to be reviewed in the light of that information.
“The situation is far from ideal and I hope that it will prove possible to complete these works because the bottom line is that Ripon needs a functioning leisure centre.”
The new building, which includes the swimming pool, sauna and steam room, has remained open throughout.
However, it looks like members will be using the temporary gym and attending group classes at Hugh Ripley Hall in the city centre well into 2024…
Read more:
- VIDEO: First look at new £17.5m Knaresborough leisure centre
- ‘Multiple cracks’ detected at Ripon leisure centre
- ‘Our leisure centres will be the envy of North Yorkshire’