The beeping sound of lorries and diggers reversing fills the air. Mud covers the street. Planning application notices hang like baubles from lamp posts.
Welcome to Kingsley Road, a once quiet rural area on the edge of Harrogate that has become a permanent building site.
Some 600 homes are at various stages of construction in the nearby area. Work started years ago and shows no sign of ending.
On Tuesday, Harrogate Borough Council‘s planning committee is expected to approve a sixth development – Persimmon’s application for 162 homes in a field on Kingsley Drive. Some locals plan to demonstrate at the council offices in the hope of persuading the Conservative-controlled planning committee to reject the scheme.
Gary Tremble, pictured where more development is due to take place.
Gary Tremble, who lives on Kingsley Road, is at the forefront of local resistance. He is a member of Kingsley Ward Action Group, which was set up in 2019 because “we soon realised we needed to work together”.
By his own admission, Mr Tremble is a “pain in the arse campaigner” who bombards councillors of all political colours with emails complaining about uncovered lorries, the state of the roads, road safety and anything else that concerns people who live in the area. He says some Greens and Liberal Democrats “have been helpful” but the bulldozers keep coming. He says:
“There’s a lot of anger on this street and it will get worse if people keep ignoring us.
“I have to take time off otherwise I get angry all the time. But then you walk out the door and see another truck going past at 40mph.”
The proposed road closure leading to Bogs Lane
The homes are being built in a residential area off the already-congested Knaresborough Road. North Yorkshire County Council has now applied to block the through-route on to Bogs Lane, which some welcome on the grounds it will reduce local traffic. Others say it will just drive more vehicles on to Knaresborough Road.
All you can see in the Kingsley area is houses.
Mr Tremble says:
“The main issue is there is no infrastructure. You can’t build several hundred homes with no community centre, dentist or shop.”
He says if the Persimmon development is approved and more green land between Starbeck and Bilton is concreted over, many people will have had enough and look to move.
Read more:
- Kingsley residents call for halt to new housing decisions
- Council recommends controversial Kingsley Farm homes be approved
Other local people feel equally strongly. Darren Long says:
“It literally feels like we’re given more bad news on a daily basis. It’s now seven years since construction started on the first Barratt’s development and it shows no signs of stopping. It’s so sad that this has been allowed to happen.
“We were so excited to move here in 2017. It’s miserable living here now. Living with the constant construction traffic, proposed road closures, one way systems and the horrific traffic.”
Peter Nolan, who has lived in the Kingsley area for 49 years, says Harrogate Borough Council “should be ashamed of the state they have let this once quiet area get into”. He adds:
“I’ve never ever in all my years had to queue half way along Kingsley Road in a morning but now I quite often spend 20 minutes trying to get out onto Knaresborough Road.”
Resident Dee Downton added:
“I am more concerned about the effect of the normal day-to-day basics that impact the everyday person getting to their destinations or commute to work, the impact on air quality because it’s just one constant traffic jam, the impact when ambulances can’t get through, the danger to pedestrians crossing because a gap in the traffic is seen and a vehicle acts quickly but fails to see someone crossing the road.”
Developers have targeted Kingsley because the land is allocated for development on the Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines where development can take place,
They say the schemes bring much-needed housing to Harrogate.
But those living in the area are less enthusiastic. Anonymous posters appeared on the street recently urging locals to legally double park on the pavement to prevent developers’ lorries from passing.
Mr Tremble says such anger is understandable because feelings are reaching “boiling point”.
Andrew Hart, a postmaster in nearby Starbeck, sympathises and says the action group is “doing their best to right a massive wrong”, adding:
“I am appalled with the never ending chaos created by the developments and road closures along Kingsley. The whole infrastructure was never designed for this number of houses.
“We have ended up with serious health and safety issues, lack of local resources and a gridlocked Knaresborough Road and Starbeck.”
Tuesday’s planning committee can be watched live on Harrogate Borough Council’s YouTube page here.
Overnight arson attack on shed in Harrogate’s Dalby AvenueHarrogate and Knaresborough firefighters were called out last night to a shed that was set alight on purpose.
The crew was summoned to Dalby Avenue in Harrogate at 4.53am to deal with the incident.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service‘s incident log said:
“The cause was deliberate.”
Earlier in the night, a crew from Harrogate went to Starbeck High Street at 1.14am to a report of a male locked out of his home.
The incident log said:
“The male needed access to medication inside therefore crews used a lock snapper and spreaders to gain entry.”
Read more:
- Harrogate firefighters release images of Blubberhouses collision
- Harrogate district teachers go on strike — and firefighters could be next
Bid to permanently close Harrogate road to through traffic
North Yorkshire County Council has begun moves to permanently ban through traffic on Bogs Lane in Harrogate to make the area safer for pedestrians.
Bogs Lane, which becomes Kingsley Road shortly after Henshaws specialist college, is often used as a rat run for traffic trying to avoid the busy A59 Knaresborough Road.
The proposal — which is dependent on a landowner — has divided opinion.
Some say it will ease congestion and make walkers and cyclists safer in an area where more than 600 homes are being built; others say the knock-on effect would make traffic on Knaresborough Road “unbearable”.
North Yorkshire County Council’s area highways manager Melisa Burnham said:
“Kingsley Road has been closed recently to facilitate works on a housing development, and at various times over the last few years for roadworks and utility works. During the closures, the A59 Knaresborough Road has been the diversion for those wanting to use Bogs Lane.
“There is a long-term aspiration to close Bogs Lane to through traffic which would create a safe space for pedestrians. This is dependent on securing land from a third-party landowner. As part of this work, a Traffic Regulation Order has been published to seek feedback from the public about the proposal.”
The current Bogs Lane diversion
Chris Aldred, a Liberal Democrat who represents High Harrogate and Kingsley on North Yorkshire County Council, said he supported the move:
“It would do away with the rat run once and for all and make the area much safer for pedestrians and cyclists, particularly schoolchildren who are amongst the main users of the road as pedestrians and cyclists at peak times.
“The closure also allows a safe and accessible link with the Harrogate greenway route from Starbeck.
“Maintaining pedestrian and cycle access during the current Redrow works at the bottom of Bogs Lane has already proved popular, judging by my email inbox.”
‘Driving congestion on to Knaresborough Road”
But Cathy Grimshaw, who lives on Rowan Close, off Bogs Lane, said the closure would exacerbate congestion on Knaresborough Road that has been “unbearable” since the temporary road closure began.
Ms Grimshaw added:
“By closing this through road they’re affecting anyone that uses Knaresborough Road as they’re driving the congestion onto the main road.
“I thought the new estates were on the basis that a pedestrian path would be built over the bridge so is it to avoid this expense?”
She added:
“The safety of pedestrians is imperative and the solution to that would be to build the path, not to close the road and drive 600 houses worth of vehicles onto Knaresborough Road which is already heavily congested.
“They should have thought about the infrastructure before approving hundreds of houses in one area. The new houses in Knaresborough have redesigned roads and built roundabouts to accommodate.”
Another resident, Julie Mooney, also raised concerns:
“Having lived on Kingsley Road and then at the other side of this closure I personally feel it’s a bad solution.
“It’s a difficult situation but one wholly of the council’s making in granting permission for so many new homes in this corridor without planning access.
“So many residents live one side of the railway but go to work or school on the other. It defies common sense to force all this traffic including that from all the new developments onto Knaresborough Road. It’s already at a virtual standstill at rush hour.”
Resident Mark Leng said the move could have benefits by ending the rat run but added “to avoid more congestion they need to halt all future works”.
Council refuses plans for ‘intrusive’ BT street hubs in Harrogate and StarbeckHarrogate Borough Council has refused plans to install six BT “street hubs” in Harrogate town centre and Starbeck.
The telecommunications company applied to the council to install the free-standing units on Cambridge Street outside the former Smiggle shop, on Oxford Street outside Marks and Spencer, and on High Street in Starbeck.
Further proposals for a hub outside the Cotswold Company on Station Parade and on Prospect Crescent in Harrogate were also rejected.
The hubs, which are being installed across the country, provide free phone calls and Wi-Fi, rapid charging points and touch screen tablets that can be used to access services.
How the BT street hub would look on Starbeck High Street.
However, the council has refused the planned units on the grounds that they were “intrusive and inappropriate”.
The authority added in its decision notice:
“The proposed infrastructure is viewed as street clutter, with unrelated advertisement to the area and therefore would fail to preserve or enhance the character of the Conservation Area or the surrounding street landscape.”
Read more:
- Police support Starbeck BT ‘street hub’ despite drugs concerns
- BT plans three advertising screens in central Harrogate
In documents submitted to the council, BT described the hubs as “reinventing phone boxes for the digital age”.
It also said the hubs were largely used to replace older infrastructure and would deliver a valuable service.
BT said:
“Every street hub provides access to maps giving directions to nearby landmarks and services – a valuable resource for visitors or those without access to a smartphone.
“They also act as wayfinding boards, giving walkers and cyclists clear directions, and providing local advertisers the opportunity to give simple directions to their businesses.
“This sponsorship will also cover the maintenance and servicing costs of the street hub. This is necessary to ensure the program remains financially sustainable.”
The Stray Ferret has approached BT to ask whether it will still pursue the proposals, but had not received a response by the time of publication.
Details of warm spaces in Harrogate, Knaresborough and RiponThe first blast of winter has left many Harrogate district people worried about the cost of staying warm.
We have therefore compiled information about warm spaces available in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon. If you know of any others in these places or in Boroughbridge, Pateley Bridge and Masham let us know and we will add them. Email contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.
The information has been provided by community groups across the district.
Netmakers, formerly known as Harrogate Hub, is a movement of local churches working together to make a difference in the community.
Its website has details of the following places in Harrogate, Starbeck and Knaresborough offering, warm and welcoming safe places to go.
Information provided by Netmakers
Further details are available here on the Netmakers website.
The community benefit society Knaresborough Connectors has also devised details of warm spaces in Knaresborough. ]
Knaresborough Connectors’ list
More details of the locations, known as public living rooms, are available here.
Numerous public buildings in and around Ripon are throwing open their doors for free in Ripon each day, including Ripon Library and Allhallowgate Methodist Church.
Ripon Cathedral has compiled details here.
Wynn James, senior pastor of Life Destiny Church in Starbeck and trustee of Harrogate District Foodbank said:
“Our doors are open. We want our community to know that we are here to help. By working together across our area we hope to offer spaces in every corner of our community.
“I urge people to use the warm spaces and not to feel alone at this tough time.”
Read more:
- 150-year-old Harrogate church could be turned into house
- Grants up to £3,000 available to Harrogate district community groups
Links to all of the organisations providing warm spaces, along with details of voluntary organisations that are at the forefront of the campaign to help people who are struggling this winter, are available on the Harrogate & District Community Action website.
Frances Elliot, chief executive of HADCA, said:
“Please do check out where to turn in your area, through churches or through other community organisations and encourage anyone you come across who feels reluctant about speaking up to do so, this particularly hard winter”
Plans resubmitted for Starbeck micropub
Plans to open a micropub in Starbeck are back on the table.
IT consultant Kevin Jones has resubmitted the proposal for the High Street after previous plans fell through.
Mr Jones abandoned a prior attempt to get permission to open a pub at 67d High Street after the landlord offered the space to a different tenant.
At the time, he criticised Harrogate Borough Council for taking six months to consider the plan.
However, Mr Jones has now resubmitted the plan for next door at 67b High Street — which he intends to rename The Office Ale House.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“I wanted to open a place where people who are wandering home after work can call in.
“It will be dog friendly as well. It is about getting pubs back to what they used to be years ago.”
Read more:
- Six-month planning wait ruins Starbeck micropub plan
- Viper Rooms: council issues statement after repossessing Harrogate nightclub
Mr Jones, who lived in Starbeck but has moved to Knaresborough, said he hoped to open the pub in March, if planning is approved.
The pub would included seating for between 15 to 20 people.
It would serve local ales, lagers and have a rotating cask ale on sale. It would be open between 12pm and 8pm during the week.
Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.
Police support Starbeck BT ‘street hub’ despite drugs concernsNorth Yorkshire Police has backed the installation of a BT ‘street hub’ in Starbeck despite concerns they can encourage drug dealing.
BT has applied to Harrogate Borough Council to remove the existing phone box and set up a hub on High Street outside Starbeck Post Office. The telecommunications company plans to install seven of the hubs across Harrogate.
The hubs, which are being installed across the country, provide free phone calls and Wi-Fi, rapid charging points and touch screen tablets that can be used to access services.
BT describes them as ‘reinventing phone boxes for the digital age’. But in a letter to the council, Richard Ball, designing out crime officer at North Yorkshire Police, said the force was aware the street hubs could be used for anti-social behaviour, such as drug dealing.
However, Mr Ball said he felt the issue was addressed by BT as the company could block any phone number used for such crimes.
He said:
“I am aware this type of installation has caused anti-social behaviour issues in other parts of the country.
“For example, the free call to mobile service has been used to facilitate drug dealing. However, BT have produced a comprehensive anti-social behaviour management plan.”
Read more:
- Fountains Abbey plans solar panels in effort to reduce fossil fuel reliance
- BT plans three advertising screens in central Harrogate
Mr Ball added that the force would support the street hub and would be interested in “utilising the community messaging facility that the street hub can provide”.
BT has also applied to install three free-standing units with screens on both sides on Cambridge Street outside the former Smiggle shop, on Oxford Street outside Marks and Spencer, and on Station Parade in front of the Cotswold Company.
The applications reveal Harrogate Borough Council’s planning department has already expressed concern about the proposals, saying they would be viewed as “street clutter” .
However, BT argued the hubs were largely used to replace older infrastructure and would deliver a valuable service.
Collision in Starbeck leaves man with serious injuriesA pedestrian has been left with serious head and shoulder injuries after a collision in Starbeck last night.
A silver Nissan Micra was turning right from Starbeck High Street onto Forest Avenue around 7.55pm.
It collided with a pedestrian, who was taken to hospital and remains in a stable condition today.
Police closed the road while officers investigated and have now appealed for more information. A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said:
“We are appealing for witnesses to the collision, or anyone who recalls seeing the vehicle prior to the collision, to get in touch as soon as possible to assist the investigation.
“In particular, we are appealing for any dashcam footage of the collision.”
Anyone with information is asked to email adam.smith@northyorkshire.police.uk, or call 101, select option two and ask for Adam Smith, quoting reference 12220212446.
Read more:
- People waiting up to an hour for 101 calls to be answered, says North Yorkshire Police
- Police close A59 at Kirk Hammerton after serious crash
Appeal for pet food donations in Harrogate
There’s been an appeal for donations of pet food in Harrogate as owners struggle to feed their animals.
The call for donations has come from the Harrogate District Foodbank after finding that many pet owners feel they cannot afford to keep their pets with the rising cost of living.
Dog food prices in particular have risen by 40%.
Seeing the appeal, a Harrogate pet shop owner volunteered to collect and deliver pet food donations for distribution across Harrogate district.
Jon Bradley, owner of HG Pets on Cold Bath Road is asking pet owners to come to the store and give unwanted pet food away.
He said:
“We will take any pet food – if it has been sitting in the cupboard because your pet doesn’t like it, we’ll have it. If it is opened, we can tape it up and it can be donated.
The appeal is for all types of small animal pet food –whether that is for a budgie or a dog.”
Mr Bradley said many pet owners are being forced to consider giving away their pets:
“Having got two dogs, I can’t think of anything worse than having to choose between them or myself… I’d put my animal first if I didn’t have a wife and daughter.”
More information regarding food banks in Harrogate district is available on the Harrogate District Foodbank website or via their email at: info@harrogatedistrict.foodbank.org.uk.
If you wish to donate pet food to HG Pets, you can visit them at 47 Cold Bath Road or call at: 07921 169061.
Read more:
- New independent pet store to open on Cold Bath Road
- 27 warm spaces available in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Starbeck
Starbeck’s former Harper’s could be turned into housing
The former McColl’s store ravaged by fire in Starbeck could be turned into housing.
Built on High Street as a Harper’s grocery, the building was later used as a McColl’s but closed and was derelict when fire struck in 2018.
Since then, the building has frequently been described as an eyesore, although it was brightened this year when volunteers painted it in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
An agent for the owners of the building said today there are plans for a “residential-led development”.
Pete Gleave, from Zerum Consulting, told the Stray Ferret:
“Our client is looking to progress proposals with the local planning authority and has entered into pre-application discussions with planning officers.
“This will be a residential-led development and we will shortly be commencing work on a formal planning application.
“Our client recognises the importance of bringing the site forward for redevelopment and we will now look to do so in a timely manner.”
Mr Gleave would not reveal who owned the building. He said he was “unable to pass on client details without their approval”.
Read more:
- Library seeking volunteers to support Starbeck community this winter
- Starbeck to have two Remembrance Sunday events amid time disagreement
Andrew Hart, founder of Starbeck Community Group and owner of Starbeck Post Office, said the building was “just rotting away” and urgently needed attention. He added:
“Anything is better than nothing — it can’t stay as it is. The building is dangerous. We know it has asbestos problems inside and is an eyesore.
“But I’ll be disappointed if they don’t put some kind of retail function in on the ground floor.
“If we can get a prestigious restaurant, bar or shop in there then we can get other businesses in. There can be housing upstairs.”
In February, Harrogate Borough Council granted an application by Leeds-based developer Bates & Hemingborough to demolish the building.
The plans had been put on hold in December after the council asked for safety documents, which were later provided, addressing how the demolition would impact the adjacent St Andrew’s Church.