Flooding expected on Skell, Ure and Nidd as river levels rise

Flood warnings are active on low-lying areas alongside the rivers Ure, Skell and Nidd in the Ripon, Boroughbridge and Harrogate areas this morning. The Environment Agency issues flood warnings when flooding is expected and immediate action is required. One was installed in Ripon last night due to rising river levels. The Environment Agency said:

“Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the River Laver, River Skell, with low lying land expected to be most affected, particularly around riverside properties including Firs Avenue and properties either side of Alma Weir.”

Another warning is active for Boroughbridge camping and caravan site along the Ure. It says the river level is expected to peak at around 2.2m at Westwick Weir this morning, A separate warning was issued at 12.48am this morning for the nearby River Tutt in Boroughbridge where properties next to the river are expected to flood. The only part of the River Nidd with a flood warning is at Birstwith, where the Environment Agency said at 4.48am this morning:

“Areas most at risk include properties situated along Wreaks Road, Clint Bank and Broomfield Road.”

Less severe flood alerts, which indicate flooding is possible but not likely, are in place for the upper, middle and lower Nidd catchment areas A flood warning for the Lower River Ure was issued at 1.48am last night but was downgraded to an alert at 8.31am, with the Environment Agency now saying:

“Flooding is possible on low-lying land including agricultural land and local roads in the areas around Masham, Boroughbridge, Aldborough and Bishop Monkton.”

The River Crimple, Lower Dunsforth Access and the Nidd at Hunsingore also have flood alerts in place. Lighter rain is expected this morning before a 48-hour dry period proceeds more rain.

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Final approval granted for 390 homes near Ripon

Council officers have given final approval to a major 390-house development near Ripon.

Housing developer Taylor Wimpey will oversee the scheme, which will be built on land off Whitcliffe Lane.

The former Harrogate Borough Council initially rejected the proposal in 2017, but the decision was overturned by the government’s Planning Inspectorate.

Councillors deferred the scheme to officers for approval in February 2022.

Now, North Yorkshire Council has given the development the final go-ahead after discussions over internal access at the site.

A report by Andy Hough, planning officer at the authority, said “a lengthy negotiation” had taken place with the developer over the road network and consultation with the council’s highways department.

The site layout for the West Lane development, as submitted to

The site layout for the Ripon development.

Councillors had initially raised concern over the development and its impact on the countryside and the nearby Fountains Abbey.

At the time, Cllr Pat Marsh described the plans as being “forced upon” the area following the appeal.

She said:

“The impact on these particular areas which include a World Heritage Site that we must protect are going to be there whether we like it or not.

“I feel strongly that these reasons for refusal still stand.”

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The proposals were initially brought forward by Britain’s largest housebuilder Barratt Homes before the developers pulled out of the scheme.

The government’s housing agency Homes England and developers Taylor Wimpey then struck an £89.5m deal to acquire the site in February 2021 and get the plans back on track.

The approved plans include 156 affordable homes, 42 bungalows, cycling and walking links, a new bus route and children’s play areas.

Historic deal will see Ripon end years of neglect from Harrogate, says councillor

A “historic” deal is set to unshackle Ripon from years of neglect by councillors in Harrogate, it was claimed today.

North Yorkshire Council‘s ruling executive agreed to set up a project team to oversee Ripon people taking control of Ripon Town Hall, the market place and car park, public toilets and the Wakeman’s House.

The assets were controlled by Harrogate Borough Council until it was abolished in April.

North Yorkshire Council agreed to trial local management as part of its commitment to what its Conservative leadership calls “double devolution”.

Councillor Andrew Williams, a member of the Conservative and Independents group who represents Ripon Minster and Moorside, praised the move at today’s meeting and launched an eviscerating attack on Harrogate Borough Council.

He said:

“This is for Ripon potentially a historic day in the building of a more constructive relationship with the unitary authority than it had previously with a rather fractured relationship that existed with Harrogate Borough Council.”

‘More grass on market than centre court at Wimbledon’

Cllr Williams said Ripon’s poor relationship with Harrogate led the city council to formulate “ambitious and complex” plans to take control of assets. He added:

“They all interlink to develop the central area of Ripon, which has sadly been neglected for some time.

“If you look at the Wakeman’s House that we are hoping to take ownership of, no work has been undertaken on that for over 10 years. The lease income from the business in there has been spent elsewhere.

“Ripon Town Hall last had maintenance carried out on it in 2004 when the queen visited.”

The Wakeman’s House 

Laughter was heard when Cllr Williams added:

“The market place will soon have more grass growing on it than the centre court at Wimbledon.”

He then criticised the decision to close public toilets at 9pm when the city encouraged visitors to watch the nightly hornblower ceremony. He added:

“We firmly believe Ripon people know Ripon better than anybody else and know best how to make it a success rather than it currently is, which is underachieving its potential.

“The people of Ripon and the council are firmly behind the principle of double devolution.”

Cllr Barbara Brodigan, a Liberal Democrat who represents Ripon Ure Bank and Spa, told the meeting she endorsed Cllr Williams’ comments.

The executive agreed unanimously to proceed with the proposals.

Knaresborough also set for more local control

North Yorkshire Council invited town and parish councils to submit expressions of interest to run local assets in November last year.

Harrogate was excluded from the process because it doesn’t have a town council and moves to set one up have been delayed by local Conservatives.

Twelve parish councils submitted expressions of interest.

Knaresborough Town Council and Ripon City Council were among those selected to advance their proposals, with a view to formally taking over on April 1 next year.

Knaresborough bid to manage the markets and assets associated with managing the market, such as road closure signs and tables.

But Little Ouseburn’s proposal to take charge of grass cutting of the green area outside Broomfield Cottages.was rejected because it “did not evidence legal competence”.

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The Ripon Inn opens today after multi-million pound refurbishment

The Ripon Inn re-opened today after a multi-million-pound refurbishment.

The venue, previously known as the Spa Hotel, had been closed for three years.

It now has 58 bedrooms, as opposed to 40 previously, which will significantly boost the city’s accommodation offering. The inn, which also has two bars, will employee 78 staff.

Olympic gold medal-winning diver Jack Laugher joined VIPs at a preview event on Thursday, ahead of today’s official opening date.

It was the third and final local historic hotel to be re-opened this year by The Inn Collection Group, after the St George Hotel in Harrogate and the Dower House in Knaresborough were unveiled under new names The Harrogate Inn and The Knaresborough Inn.

Like the other two venues, the Ripon Inn has undergone a major overhaul inside and out.

Jack Laugher pulls a pint at the VIP preview event last week.

Undertaken in partnership with Silverstone Building Consultancy and STP Construction, the new look adopts The Inn Collection Group’s bid to create ‘inns with rooms’ rather than hotels.

It means The Ripon Inn, which is situated in six acres of gardens, will attempt to attract local people for food and drink as well as provide accommodation for tourists.

Formerly referred to as the Turf Tavern, The Ale House is a real ale hub within the inn with six pumps serving a range of beers including those produced locally by Black Sheep, Rooster’s Brewing Company and Theakston’s.

Sean Donkin, group chief executive of The Inn Collection Group, said:

“The Ripon Inn is a fantastic addition to our estate. It has huge potential and I think our teams and our partners have realised the exciting vision that we had for the property when we bought it back in 2021.

“Following on from the well-received re-openings of The Harrogate Inn and The Knaresborough Inn, I am excited for Ripon to open and for the revitalisation of this classic, landmark site to start in earnest.

“We’ve created what we hope is a welcoming place to enjoy food, drinks and company whilst at the same time, taking care to retain the unique, historic character of the building.

“Adding 18 new bedrooms, we now have 58 on site which is a significant boost to the city’s overall occupancy, and I am excited for our teams giving our guests a warm welcome to our latest inn.”

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Fresh plan submitted to convert part of Kirkby Malzeard pub into housing

A fresh planning application to convert part of a vacant Kirkby Malzeard pub has been submitted.

The Henry Jenkins Inn, near Ripon, has been at the centre of a long-standing battle between residents and developers over the years.

Now, developer Justin Claybourn, who already owns the eastern annexe of the site, wants to convert redundant outbuildings at the site into a holiday cottage.

The application, which was submitted in August by Jennifer Hubbard Town Planning Consultant, outlines the details of the proposed house – including one bedroom and one bathroom, and an open-plan kitchen and dining area.

Mr Claybourn also hopes to reduce the existing ten car parking spaces down to four, as well developing a garden and patio around the building.

Access to the building would be from Main Street via an existing pedestrian and vehicular access across land already owned by Mr Claybourn, it adds.

In a cover letter, the agent said the applicant and his family have “long standing connections with the area”.

A decision has not been made about the application yet, but it has proved unpopular with local residents.

One resident commented on the application:

“This application appears to be one of a series of planning applications by the owner in an attempt to split up the original pub property and obtain residential planning permission by steadily reducing any chance that the original pub, can be bought & run successfully.

“The village needs affordable housing rather than a holiday cottage for someone already living elsewhere.

“It is difficult enough for young people to rent & work in the village as it is; they hardly have a chance at buying properties.”

The proposed plans.

The Henry Jenkins Inn opened in the 1700s and closed in 2011.

The current owner David Fielder bought it the following year.

It was first listed by Harrogate Borough Council as an asset of community value in 2017 as requested by local residents. However, in 2018 the listing on the eastern annexe was removed by the council, when it was sold to Mr Claybourn. 

Community grant

The objections to the application follow a £330,000 grant awarded to villagers campaigning to the save the former public house.

Levelling Up Minister, Jacob Young, announced the resident-controlled company, Henry Jenkins Community Pub (HJCP), was successful in its application to receive the Community Ownership Fund in September.

Campaigners hope to buy and refurbish the building and transform it into a community-owned pub, bistro, and coffee shop.

However, the grant is understood to be dependent on a 20% match funding and will only be given to the HJCP providing they come up with £66,000.

The group has already made six purchase offers to Mr Fielder – all of which he has rejected.

In September, however, he told the Stray Ferret he would be “happy to sell for the right price”.

Mr Fielder bought his first pub in 1987 and now owns 18 across North and West Yorkshire.

His broad property portfolio also includes industrial estates, farms, residential properties and student lets.

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Stand in memory of Ripon Rugby Club stalwart backed by councillors

Ripon Rugby Club’s plan to build a 100-seater stand at its Mallorie Park ground has moved a step closer.

If approved by North Yorkshire Council, the new spectator facility will be paid for from a legacy left to the club by former first team captain and president Tim Wray, who died in 2018.

At its full Ripon City Council meeting on Monday, members gave their support to a planning application, which also includes a request to build pitch-side shelters/dugouts for coaches, players and disabled supporters.

Other planned improvements are a new shed for ground maintenance equipment,  a security fence and creation of a new entry route into the site.

Should planning consent be granted, the stand, alongside the club’s first team pitch, will be named The Tim Wray Stand as a lasting tribute to the club’s benefactor.

Ripon Rugby Union Football Club, is approaching its 140th anniversary, having been founded in 1886.

The club, which has 800 members and its own clubhouse, has two men’s and one women’s teams, along with one of the largest junior sections in the north of England.

In addition to its focus on rugby, it hosts Ripon Runners and provides facilities that are used by community groups and organisations.

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Homes England earmarks £10m for major Ripon housing site contributions

A total of £10 million has been budgeted to cover items in a Section 106 agreement being drawn up by Homes England for the 1,300-home Clotherholme development at the Ripon Barracks site.

The money will fund a number of areas, including off-site highway adjustments and contributions towards primary and secondary education provision and primary healthcare.

In addition, under the legally-binding agreement, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, is required to put a strategy in place to “secure military heritage within the site”.

On Monday, Homes England project manager Martin Wilks and senior planning and enabling manager David Rowlinson, met with city councillors to provide a progress report on the major scheme, that will eventually increase  Ripon’s population by 20%.

In February, Harrogate Borough Council planning committee said it was minded to grant planning consent for the Clotherholme scheme and Mr Wilks, pointed out:

“The next stage on the planning process is to present the Section 106 agreement to North Yorkshire Council for approval.”

He added:

“The Section 106 monies have been set at £10 million to cover areas including off-site traffic interventions and contributions to education provision,”

The 21 Regiment of the Royal Engineers is scheduled to vacate the site by March 2026 and enabling works for the homes development will start in 2025.

In the meantime, Homes England is drawing up a sustainable drainage plan for the scheme with Yorkshire Water and working on a design guide for the development with Ripon Civic Society.

Meetings have been held with Ripon Military Heritage Trust regarding the protection and preservation of historically-important buildings and bridges on the site and a further meeting with them is planned for November 7.

Matters raised by councillors included the significance of the site’s rich military Heritage, increased traffic generation and the impact it will have on the city’s roads infrastructure and the additional strain that an increase in population will put on healthcare provision.

In view of the number of issues put forward, it was agreed that Mr Wilks and Mr Rowlinson will hold  further meetings with councillors to focus on specific concerns that they have in relation to the development.

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Little Bird markets to light up Christmas across the Harrogate district

This article is sponsored by Little Bird Made.

From the garden of the Magdalens Pub in Ripon to the stately splendour of the Harewood estate, it has been a remarkable journey for Jackie Crozier and the Little Bird Made venture that she launched five years ago in her home city.

In 2018, Jackie’s first artisan market was held just a stone’s throw from Ripon’s magnificent cathedral, providing a platform for 20 local traders to showcase and sell their hand-crafted goods.

Since then, Little Bird has spread its wings, increasing year on year the number of historic Yorkshire towns and cities where its markets are held.

As Christmas approaches, a very busy period lies ahead, beginning with their biggest event of the season on the North Park Walk at Harewood House.

Visitors flocked to the 2022 Winter Market curated by Little Bird at Harewood House

Over five days between November 8 and 12, the home to Earls and Countesses since the 18th century, will be the exquisite backdrop for a very special winter market, curated for the second successive year by Jackie and her 14-strong team of professional event managers.

It will feature 130 local makers, crafters and producers and with pre-booked entry available at the reduced price of £5, those visiting the market will also be able to explore Harewood’s 150 acres of stunning grounds, including the Terrace Garden, Himalayan Garden, Walled Garden, Farm Experience and Adventure Playground.

For the energetic, there’s a three-mile walking trail across the North Park, South Park and Lakeside.

Little Bird will also be back by popular demand for the third year running to curate the Christmas Markets being held in the elegant setting of the Sun Colonnade at Harrogate’s glorious Valley Gardens. These will take place over three consecutive weekends on December 2,3, 9,10 and 16, 17.

The Christmas markets in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens will be held over three consecutive weekends

On November 25 and 26, Harrogate Horticultural Nursery is the venue for a Christmas market staged by Little Bird and further festive markets will also be held in Northallerton, Easingwold, Richmond, Leyburn, Thirsk, Wetherby and, of course, Ripon.

A birthday celebration

Before the festive season gets into full swing, Sunday October 22 will see Little Bird’s fifth birthday celebrated with an artisan market on Ripon’s Market Square.

The day will be dedicated to Jackie’s late parents David and Marilyn, who ran the former Fleece Pub on St Mary’s Gate for ten years.

Jackie, said:

“I think about them every day and know that they would be proud of what I have achieved since returning to the city where I was born and bred and am now an Independent member of the city council.

“I had been away for more than 20 years, working as the Director of the Manchester Pride Festival and later working on high-profile events including the London 2012 Olympics, Manchester’s Parklife Festival and the Download Festival at Donnington Park.”

Jackie, added:

“Dad’s nickname was Crow and I was known as Little Crow – so that’s how the Little Bird name came about, though sadly he didn’t live to see my fledgling venture get off the ground,

“Mum was in the intensive treatment unit at Harrogate Hospital  for much of the time when I was setting up the business. I visited her every day and though she was very poorly, she never failed to take an interest and offer me words of advice and encouragement.

“That meant so much to me and has made me determined to use the expertise that I have gained through 25 years in event management, to make the Harrogate district and neighbouring areas a Mecca for artisan markets which support independent traders, while bringing increased footfall and economic benefits to the communities where they are staged.”

Visiting a Little Bird Made market is a great way to support local businesses and find unique Christmas gifts.

Here’s when you can visit a market near you:

Ripon 5th Birthday Artisan Market on October 22

Harewood House Artisan Winter Market from November 8 to 12

St Wilfrid’s Stars judging panel on challenge of deciding winners

The Stray Ferret is the media partner for the St Wilfrid’s Stars Awards 2024, with our coverage kindly sponsored by Little Bird Made and Grantley Hall.

A prestigous judging panel met today to decide on the winners of the St Wilfrid’s Stars awards for 2023.

The Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Jo Ropner, Paul Matless of the YMCA, the Dean of Ripon John Dobson, chairman and CEO of Newby Hall Richard Compton, the Mayor of Ripon Cllr Sid Hawke and Stray Ferret director Tamsin O’Brien were all part of the panel that met in Ripon at Thorpe Prebend House.

The judges were all impressed with the number of nominations and the range of community minded people that work hard for the city of Ripon.

There were 11 categories this year taking in areas such as business, culture, tourism and more. The judges also selected an overall volunteer of the year from all of the nominees.

Winners will be at a glittering ceremony hosted by Ripon Cathedral on the evening of Thursday, October 26. Ripon Together organised the event, which made its debut last year.

Jo Ropner, the Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, said:

“There was a very broad spectrum. It is lovely to see different ages and cultures working so hard in Ripon. It is good for the city that we have an event like this that can give recognition to some of our rising heroes.”

Paul Matless, housing operations manager at the YMCA, added:

“Today has been excellent, this event has brought the local community together and hopefully it will reward all of the work done in the area. We’re looking forward to seeing lots of people celebrating on the big night.

The Very Reverend John Dobson, Dean of Ripon, said:

“The panel this year is really switched on, we’ve got a good cross section of people. It has been quite challenging because we have received so many nominations in all categories.

“There is clearly much talent, much commitment and generosity of spirit in Ripon to celebrate.”

Audi stolen from driveway in Ripon

A car has been stolen from the driveway of a property in Ripon.

North Yorkshire Police said the incident happened on Clotherholme Park, which is off Lark Lane, between midnight and 3.30 am this morning (October 10).

The rear door of the house was damaged and the suspect removed a set of keys. 

A white Audi A5 five-door hatchback with the registration FX69 UCG was then stolen from the driveway of the property.

Officers have asked the public to keep an eye out for the stolen vehicle and appealed for any CCTV or doorbell footage that may help the investigation.

A police statement added:

“Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should email Sam.Clarke2@northyorkshire.police.uk .You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101 and ask for Sam Clarke.

“If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12230192125 when passing information.”

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