Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Do the councillors voting on the Station Gateway know what’s best for Harrogate?

As we are all aware there has been quite a bit of publicity locally on the Harrogate Station Gateway project — mostly negative but some positive.

I object to the proposals as they stand and have written individually to each councillor sitting on the executive committee of North Yorkshire County Council on this basis.
The Station Gateway will not improve the visual appeal or the environment of the town centre. It is purely a highway engineer’s solution to the problem and one which is focussed on cycling in an attempt to reduce car usage. It will be a disaster for the town. What a legacy to leave us!

It will be interesting to see how many of them out of courtesy respond prior to the meeting.

So far I have had a response from Cllr Carl Les, chair of the committee and Cllr Don Mackenzie, although at this stage both are non-committal.

Looking at the mailing list for the executive, it is interesting to note that out of the 10 members sitting only two are residents of Harrogate. The remainder are scattered to all corners of North Yorkshire but will be making a critical decision on the future of Harrogate. It makes you question how many of those councillors know Harrogate and how well and how many of them have actually visited the town.

I’m not against cycling even though the cycling lobby appear to get the most publicity, but just the way it has been pushed in Harrogate because NYCC have applied for available funding without any prior thought on how they are going to implement schemes. As I have said many times over the last few years, “putting the cart before the horse”. I would respect them much more if they admitted they have got it wrong.

Much more could be achieved in Harrogate and make it a great town once again otherwise we will be left with a mess for the next fifty years.

Barry Adams, Harrogate

Station Gateway will turn shoppers away

Read more:

• Gas supplier objects to Tesco plans in Harrogate
• Inquiry reveals Harrogate Nightingale cost £31.6 million

Has Wallace Sampson visited the rest of North Yorkshire?

Further to your article on the economic power of the Harrogate area, one does wonder if Wallace Sampson, the chief executive of Harrogate Borough Council, has ever visited the North Yorkshire Council area and appreciated the economic contribution of Scarborough, Skipton or Northallerton.

He seems to be besotted by Harrogate town and its dying spa importance, and fail to realise how the spa town in the district was really supported by Ripon, Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Masham and Pateley Bridge.

David Rhodes, Harrogate

Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.

The saga over Harrogate’s Station Gateway took another turn this week when council officers revealed they were set to press ahead with the £10.9 million project.

North Yorkshire County Council, which is expected to vote to continue with the scheme on Tuesday, included an economic case for the scheme in documents sent to councillors ahead of Tuesday’s crunch vote.

The report says the initiative represents the “biggest investment in decades” in the town, will save shops from decline and make the town centre more attractive.

It was published without fanfare after the second round of consultation had finished, prompting business groups in Harrogate to criticise the county council for a lack of consultation. Business groups have long called for an economic impact assessment to be published.

The Stray Ferret has looked at the council’s economic case in detail to see why it is pressing ahead with the project.

Harrogate faces ‘economic challenges’

According to the county council’s economic case, the authority believes the gateway scheme will tackle “some of the economic challenges facing the Harrogate economy”.

The report cites a number of areas that need addressing, including job creation and access to education and skills.

Much of the 18-page paper centres around growing the Harrogate economy so it is “fit for the future”.

It argues that better access to the town centre will help to create jobs and increase the creation of businesses in Harrogate town centre.

The report cites an Office for National Statistics study which shows the number of new businesses set up in the town increased by 4% between 2014 and 2021 – below the Yorkshire and national average.

Graph of median annual earnings in Harrogate district compared with the national and regional average, as included in the report.

It goes on to say that residents in the district have higher than the average annual earnings, meaning there is a chance to “diversify” the town centre by encouraging more people into town.

Both of these areas could be tackled by improving access to the town centre and making it more attractive, council bosses say.

The report adds:

“Harrogate’s higher paid resident base suggests that there is potential to diversify the local economy, attracting high value, innovative businesses to invest in the town centre, opening up further employment opportunities in the town.”

The number of retail units in Harrogate town centre, as cited in the gateway report.

The report also warns that the town’s retail sector is at risk of decline.

It points to Harrogate Borough Council figures showing a reduction of 12% in retail units in the town centre in the last seven years.

It adds that the town needs to “diversify” in order to adapt to consumer behaviour – something which council bosses believe the gateway can address.

The report says:

“Evidence suggests that the town centre retail sector is at risk of decline in the medium term.

“Consumer behaviours and expectations are evolving and towns must diversify and advance to maintain health and vibrant visitor economies. the scheme is seeking to do just this.”

But, while the report addresses some of the town centre challenges, its critics say it offers nothing on how proposals in the gateway scheme will effect trade.

Businesses ‘not listened to’

While the county council has made efforts to push its economic case through an 18-page report and press releases to the media, it has not convinced local business groups.

In a joint letter to the county council leader, Cllr Carl Les, co-signed by Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, Harrogate BID and Independent Harrogate, the groups argue that the report fails to address any of the concerns of businesses.

Read more:

• Confirmed: £11m Station Gateway to get green light next week
• Business groups claim they’ve been ignored in Station Gateway consultation
• Harrogate set for colourful fountains and WiFi-charging benches

The letter says the study is not dated and fails to take into account the impacts of covid on businesses. It goes onto say that next week’s vote on the scheme should be delayed until traders have had chance to scrutinise and comment on the report.

It says:

“Because of this lack of opportunity to comment on the economic impact study, we are now asking that the vote on the Project is postponed until your next executive meeting, allowing us, and others, time to digest its contents.

“However, having had a cursory glance through it, it appears the authors have looked to cities for case studies and not towns comparable to Harrogate. Also, they give examples from as along ago as 2007. The world has moved on a lot since then.

“It fails to take into account the impact of covid, out-of-town shopping centres with acres of free parking, and online shopping. And again, we say what of those residents living in our surrounding villages whose only way of getting around is via their car, or the tens-of-thousands of visitors who live outside the district?”

How James Street will look.

It also questions whether any impact of delivering the scheme on local businesses has been taken into account.

“It also appears the work to deliver this project could now creep into 2024. We were told it would take a year.

“Judging by the delays to ‘phase one of the Otley Road cycling path’, we have no confidence in your timescale. Does the economic impact study take into account the disruption delivering this Project will have on businesses already on their knees through to the ongoing impact of covid?”

What happens now?

Senior councillors have been recommended to approve the gateway project to be taken to the detailed design stage.

Councillors will make a decision at a meeting on Tuesday. The move would mean that work on the project could start in spring or summer.

Business groups in Harrogate have called for a vote on the town’s Station Gateway to be delayed after an economic case for the project was published just days before the key vote takes place.

In a letter to Cllr Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, Harrogate Business Improvement District and Independent Harrogate said there was a “lack of opportunity” to comment on the paper.

The report, which is due before the county council’s executive next week, argues that the gateway will tackle “some of the economic challenges facing the Harrogate economy”.

The 18-page report goes on to cite various case studies and figures from the Office for National Statistics to support its case.

However, the three business groups said  they have had no opportunity to comment on the paper and called for a vote on the scheme to be delayed until they have had chance to scrutinise it.

Read more:

• Confirmed: £11m Station Gateway to get green light next week
• Business groups claim they’ve been ignored in Station Gateway consultation

They also criticise the council for releasing the report just a week before the vote on the project.

The letter says:

“Because of this lack of opportunity to comment on the economic impact study, we are now asking that the vote on the project is postponed until your next executive meeting, allowing us, and others, time to digest its contents.

“However, having had a cursory glance through it, it appears the authors have looked to cities for case studies and not towns comparable to Harrogate. Also, they give examples from as along ago as 2007. The world has moved on a lot since then.

“It fails to take into account the impact of covid, out-of-town shopping centres with acres of free parking, and online shopping. And again, we say what of those residents living in our surrounding villages whose only way of getting around is via their car, or the tens-of-thousands of visitors who live outside the district?”

Some of the proposed changes to Station Parade.

The letter also questions whether the study takes into account the effect of construction of the project on businesses who are “already on their knees through to the ongoing impact of covid”.

The letter comes at the same business groups accused the county council of ignoring their views and the opinions of residents during the Station Gateway consultation.

The Stray Ferret revealed this week that the county council is set to give the £10.9m project the green light at a meeting on Tuesday next week — even though the latest consultation revealed the majority of respondents feel negatively towards the scheme.

Earlier this week, Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access, described the scheme as the biggest investment in Harrogate “in decades”.

He said:

“These proposals represent the biggest investment in Harrogate, Selby and Skipton town centres in decades.

“We want to encourage more people to travel by foot, bike and public transport because it is good for health and the environment by promoting fitness and reducing congestion.

“The spending will also provide a welcome boost for our town centres after two difficult years of trading during the pandemic.

“We have listened to feedback from the public consultations and are confident people will be pleased with the results.”

Harrogate town centre is set to get water fountains and smart benches where people can charge their phones as part of the £10.9 million Station Gateway scheme.

North Yorkshire County Council is expected to approve the controversial gateway project next week.

Most of the focus has been on how the scheme will reduce traffic to single lane on a stretch of Station Parade and part pedestrianise James Street to encourage cycling and walking.

But documents sent to councillors ahead of next week’s executive meeting also reveal proposed changes to the public realm close to the train station.

They include creating a dry plaza water jet feature surrounded by new trees and seating at Station Square, where the Victoria monument is located.

Read more:

• Confirmed: £11m Station Gateway to get green light next week
• Station Gateway petition rejected as council accused of ‘ploughing ahead’ with scheme

One of the documents says:

“The fountain jets can be switched on and off by the council to cater to year-round events in the plaza. Lighting can also be controlled by visitors using a smart phone to connect.

“Smart benches are proposed in the plaza to allow visitors to enjoy the space whilst charging their devices. These smart benches can also have built-in WiFi and lighting so you can enjoy your time in the plaza.”

Other proposals include new lighting columns with built-in insect hotels for wildlife along with other green measures. The documents says:

“We want to celebrate how green Harrogate is by adding in new colourful planting and new trees along streets and in the new plaza at the station.

“Some areas of planting will be rain gardens. These are special planting areas that love collecting rain water to reduce the likelihood of floods around the town.”

Three business groups have accused North Yorkshire County Council of ignoring their views and the opinions of residents during the Station Gateway consultation.

The Stray Ferret revealed yesterday that the county council is set to give the £10.9m project the green light at a meeting on Tuesday next week — even though the latest consultation revealed the majority of respondents feel negatively towards the scheme.

The gateway scheme will see major changes around Harrogate railway station, including single lane traffic on a stretch of Station Parade and  James Street partly pedestrianised to encourage walking and cycling.

In a joint letter to members of the county council’s executive, which has been recommended to approve the scheme, Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, Harrogate Business Improvement District and Independent Harrogate warned that work on the scheme would create ‘another 12 months of major disruption and misery’ for businesses already struggling to get over covid.

The letter adds:

“Sadly, the views of the business community have been continually ignored. As have those of other key organisations, in particular Harrogate Civic Society and residents’ organisations who believe what is being proposed will not bring the benefits being espoused. The Conservative Party, of which you are a member, prided itself on being the party of business. Sadly, this doesn’t appear to be the case anymore!

“For the last two years, town centre businesses have suffered at the hands of the covid pandemic and now you are proposing to add at least another 12-months of major disruption and misery.

“For you it will be easy to support the proposal in front of you, as of next year North Yorkshire County Council will not exist in its current form and some of you may not even seek re-election.

“Before you cast your vote, we urge you to carefully consider the businesses in Harrogate town centre and their collective views.”

Read more:

• Confirmed: £11m Station Gateway to get green light next week
• Fears that 15 cockerels have been shot on moors near Ripon
• Ripon’s Old Deanery to reopen after licence granted

The letter also questions the lack of an economic impact survey and says greater consideration should be given to the travel needs of people who come into Harrogate from nearby villages.

‘Welcome boost’ to town centre

The Harrogate scheme is one of three in Yorkshire being paid for by £42m from the government’s Transforming Cities Fund.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said:

“These proposals represent the biggest investment in Harrogate, Selby and Skipton town centres in decades.

“We want to encourage more people to travel by foot, bike and public transport because it is good for health and the environment by promoting fitness and reducing congestion.

“The spending will also provide a welcome boost for our town centres after two difficult years of trading during the pandemic.

“We have listened to feedback from the public consultations and are confident people will be pleased with the results.”

North Yorkshire County Council has confirmed that the £10.9m Harrogate Station Gateway will be recommended for approval next week.

The Stray Ferret revealed last week that the county council’s executive was expected to give the green light on January 25.

Now the county council, which is the lead partner for the scheme, has confirmed the executive is recommended to take the proposals forward to detailed design stage so work can start in spring or summer.

It says the move will save shops from decline, make the town centre more attractive and improve the town centre for cyclists and pedestrians.

James Street will be partly pedestrianised and traffic on some of Station Parade reduced to single lane.

The decision comes despite widespread opposition to the scheme from businesses and residents.

The results of the second phase of consultation, published last month, revealed that of 1,320 people who replied to an online survey, 55% feel negatively, 39% positively and five per cent neutral towards the scheme. One per cent said they didn’t know.

Nevertheless the scheme is expected to proceed with only minor amendments.

Read more:

• Station Gateway petition rejected as council accused of ‘ploughing ahead’ with scheme
• Harrogate business groups call for Station Gateway to be revised

A report to councillors acknowledges there has been “a general reduction in the level of support for the changes”. It says the main concerns are the negative impacts on businesses, congestion, air quality and the attractiveness, accessibility and safety of the town centre.

It adds that officers believe:

“The proposals will have an overall positive impact on the local economy, air quality and the attractiveness, accessibility and safety of the town centre with a minimal increase in journey times and flows in the worst case traffic modelling.

“It is therefore considered appropriate that the proposals be taken forward through detailed design and implementation.”

The report adds the “overall impact on retail footfall is expected to be positive”, adding.

“Evidence suggests that the town centre retail sector is at risk of decline in the medium term. There is also a growing body of case study evidence which indicates that the scheme will increase footfall and economic value.”

Residents living near the town centre fear their streets will get more traffic.

Extra traffic in residential areas

Regarding concerns that the changes will displace traffic along the A61 Cheltenham Crescent into nearby residential streets, the report says traffic modelling looked at “significant changes (an average change of 3 vehicles per minute or more)”, adding:

“At the worst time of day (the afternoon peak hour) only East Parade experiences a significant increase in flow (5 vehicles per minute).”

The Harrogate scheme is one of three in Yorkshire being paid for with £42m from the government’s Transforming Cities Fund.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, said:

These proposals represent the biggest investment in Harrogate, Selby and Skipton town centres in decades and aim to increase productivity by making it quicker, easier and safer for people to travel around and connect with economic opportunities.

“We want to encourage more people to travel by foot, bike and public transport because it is good for health and the environment by promoting fitness and reducing congestion. The spending will also provide a welcome boost for our town centres after two difficult years of trading during the pandemic.

“The entire project is a great example of partnership working between Craven District Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Selby District Council, North Yorkshire County Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and is set to deliver real benefits to residents and businesses across our county.

“We have listened to feedback from the public consultations and are confident people will be pleased with the results.”

Councillors look set to give the green light to the £10.9 million Harrogate Station Gateway in just over a fortnight’s time.

Work on the scheme, which aims to make the town centre more attractive to cyclists and pedestrians, is then likely to begin in spring or summer.

The designs are not expected to be amended significantly despite considerable opposition from residents and businesses.

North Yorkshire County Council, which is the lead partner, is set to make a decision on the gateway at its executive meeting on January 25.

Don Mackenzie

Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at the county council, told the Stray Ferret it was “likely” the initiative will be recommended for approval. He said:

“I am indeed expecting that the executive will be asked to make a decision on the Harrogate Gateway scheme at its next-but-one meeting on January 25.

“It is likely that a report will be presented with recommendations to proceed with the project.

“I do not expect the design to differ to any great extent from that which has been consulted upon last year, although we may give authority for minor changes as progress is made, should they be required. That is not unusual in such cases.

“All of this is dependent upon a positive decision to proceed.”

Read more:

• Station Gateway petition rejected as council accused of ‘ploughing ahead’ with scheme
• Harrogate business groups call for Station Gateway to be revised
• Majority are negative towards Harrogate Station Gateway, consultation reveals

Petition rejected

Last week the county council rejected a 714-signature petition by Harrogate Residents Association calling for the project to be halted.

The petition followed the publication of consultation responses, which revealed that of 1,320 people who replied to an online survey, 55% feel negatively, 39% positively and five per cent neutral towards the scheme. One per cent said they didn’t know.

Anna McIntee, co-founder of the group, accused the authority of “ploughing ahead” with the project without listening to concerns.

How James Street would look.

But Harrogate District Cycle Action said in a statement at the same meeting that the gateway would be a “big step forward” towards a greener future.

Key proposals include reducing traffic to one lane on some of Station Parade and part-pedestrianising James Street to encourage cycling and walking.

Legal threat

Last month Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce, Harrogate Business Improvement District and Independent Harrogate, accused those behind the project of ignoring criticism and urged them to “put the brakes on”.

Businesses in Harrogate, concerned about the scheme’s impact on trade, are considering a legal challenge.

They had hoped a challenge could either stop the scheme or delay it long enough to jeopardise funding.

New cycle lanes would be built on Station Parade.

North Yorkshire County Council and partners Harrogate Borough Council, and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority have previously said that the Department for Transport, which is funding the Harrogate scheme and similar ones in Selby and Skipton through its Transforming Cities Fund, requires the projects be completed by March 2023.

But Cllr Mackenzie suggested this was not necessarily the case. He said:

“A contractor would need to be chosen before the start of construction. I am guessing that work would get underway in late spring or summer.

“Furthermore, I am confident that the initial deadline for completion of all the gateway schemes in North and West Yorkshire of March 2023 would be able to be extended.”

A petition calling for the Harrogate Gateway project to be halted has been rejected by councillors ahead of a final decision on the £10.9m scheme later this month.

Harrogate Residents Association delivered the 714-signature petition to a North Yorkshire County Council meeting today when the group’s co-founder Anna McIntee accused the authority of “ploughing ahead” with the project without listening to concerns.

Ms McIntee said the scheme – which aims to boost cycling and walking and create a more attractive entrance to the Station Parade area – would have a “radical” impact on traffic and businesses.

But councillors hit back at the claims saying the group has previously opposed “any” projects which promote sustainable travel and that the Gateway will deliver on its aims if approved at an executive meeting on January 25.

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at North Yorkshire County Council, said: 

“This is the second petition that has been brought by the Harrogate Residents Association. Similarly last time, there was a petition against our Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme on Beech Grove.

“The petitioners also opposed one of our active travel schemes on Oatlands Drive.

“There is a history here of opposing any schemes we bring forward which try to encourage people out of their motor cars and to use sustainable means of transport.

“The Gateway represents an investment of some £11m in a part of Harrogate town centre which quite frankly does need an uplift.

“We are not simply talking about highways changes here, but fundamental changes to improve an area which most of our visitors who arrive by bus or train see from the moment they arrive.”

Read more:

• Majority are negative towards Harrogate Station Gateway, consultation reveals
• Stray Views: Station Gateway will benefit far more people than cyclists

Cllr Richard Cooper, leader of Harrogate Borough Council, also said claims in the petition that the project will “adversely affect every resident in Harrogate” were “demonstrably false”.

He said: 

“This project is about ensuring those who wish to use a mode of transport other than the private car have an opportunity to do so.

“It isn’t about banning cars or replacing roads ‘wholesale’ with cycle lanes – this is a giant misinterpretation.”

Included in the project are plans for a part-time pedestrianisation of James Street and reducing Station Parade to one-lane traffic to make way for a cycle lane.

There are also proposals for upgraded junctions, more cycle lanes and improvements to Station Square as well as the One Arch underpass with the aim of providing better links to the train and bus station.

Gateway project ‘a big step forward’

The project has won the support of campaign group Harrogate and District Cycle Action which said in a statement to today’s meeting that the Gateway will be a “big step forward” towards a greener future.

Yet the rejected petition from Harrogate Residents Association still marks a sign of growing opposition against the project which was recently dealt a blow after a latest council-run survey.

Residents were shown the plans at a public meeting at Victoria Shopping Centre last October.

Consultation results released in December revealed 55% of 1,320 respondents felt ‘negative’ about the project, while 39% felt ‘positive’. The remaining 6% were either ‘neutral’ or said they didn’t know.

Speaking at today’s meeting, Ms McIntee questioned how the councils could now push ahead with the project.

She said: 

“How do people know this is value for money, especially when the track record of wasted money in Harrogate is terrible.

“There are many people calling for the project to be trailed before £10.9m is committed. We think this is a sensible idea.

“Far too many disconnected pocket plans are occurring, all focused on cycling.”

The Gateway scheme is being funded by the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, with a deadline for the awarded £10.9m to be spent by early 2023.

If the project is approved later this month, construction could start in spring 2022.

Councillors will this week debate a petition urging them to abandon the £10.9 million Harrogate Station Gateway.

North Yorkshire County Council is due to decide shortly whether to proceed with the scheme, which would part-pedestrianise James Street and reduce traffic to single lane on some of Station Parade to encourage cycling and walking.

A petition by Harrogate Residents Association calling for the scheme to be halted generated 714 signatures.

Petitions that attract 500 signatures are automatically scheduled for debate by the county council.

It will therefore be discussed by the council’s Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency committee on Thursday – although a final decision on what happens next will be made later.

Read more:

• Majority are negative towards Harrogate Station Gateway, consultation reveals
• Stray Views: Station Gateway will benefit far more people than cyclists

Anna McIntee, co-founder of Harrogate Residents Association, will be given five minutes to speak before councillors debate the matter for a maximum of 15 minutes.

Ms McIntee told the Stray Ferret it would be “crazy” to proceed in the face of widespread opposition from residents and businesses.

She said:

“I don’t really understand how they can ignore all the residents and all the businesses that oppose it. It would be crazy to plough ahead.”

Residents were shown the plans at a public meeting at Victoria Shopping Centre.

The county council revealed last month that of 1,320 people who replied to an online survey, 55% felt negatively towards the gateway, 39% felt positively and five per cent felt neutral. One per cent said they didn’t know.

Shortly afterwards three Harrogate business groups urged the county council and Harrogate Borough Council. which also supports the initiative, to “put the brakes on this scheme”.

Many of those opposed fear the scheme will push traffic into residential areas and damage business.

‘No decision taken’

A report to councillors recommends they ‘note’ the petition and ‘consider a response’. It adds:

“The (gateway) proposals aim to introduce a significant high quality uplift to the public realm in the heart of the town aimed at increasing footfall and quality of experience for residents and visitors.

“They will also provide safe cycling infrastructure and improved footways which is key in promoting healthier and more sustainable travel choices.

“Currently no decision has been taken on implementation of the project, the results of the second round of consultation are being analysed and a report with final recommendations will be taken to the executive early in the new year.”

In this article, we look at some of the biggest news events set to occur in 2022 including the refurbishment of Harrogate Convention Centre, devolution and the Harrogate Spring Water expansion plan.

From controversial expansions of bottling plants at Harrogate’s Pinewoods to multi-million pound refurbishment plans for the town’s convention centre, 2022 has a number of major storylines in store.

Political events are also on the horizon, as voters head to the polls in May to elect councillors to the new North Yorkshire super council.

Here the Stray Ferret looks at some of the storylines set to dominate the news over the course of the next 12 months and what they could mean for the Harrogate district.

Major Harrogate Convention Centre refurbishment

It could be the biggest single investment made by Harrogate Borough Council in recent times.

A £47 million spend, which would see the HCC refurbished and modernised, could be signed off this year by senior councillors.

Harrogate Convention Centre, which is earmarked for a £47 million renovation.

The project was outlined last year, but council officials have commissioned a series of reports, including an economic impact assessment, before any project is given the go-ahead.

The council told the Stray Ferret in July last year that a final decision will be made in 2022.

It could be the authority’s lasting legacy before it is scrapped and the convention centre is handed over to the succeeding North Yorkshire super council.

A changing political landscape

People across the Harrogate district will head to the polls in May for what will be a landmark occasion.

It will be the first time that the electorate has its say on who will sit on the new North Yorkshire council.

While the authority will not officially come into being until 2023, councillors will stand for seats on the authority regardless as part of the transitional period.

Polling day will give the opportunity for voters to show which party they have confidence in leading the county’s single council.

It will also give an indication of what the political make-up of the council will be and potentially what direction it will be taken in. The Conservatives currently have overwhelming control of both Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

Some senior Harrogate councillors, such as borough council leader Richard Cooper, have already revealed that they will not be part of the new council.

Come May 5, we will be much clearer on how the political landscape is shaping up.

Harrogate Spring Water, Harlow Moor Road in Harrogate.

Harrogate Spring Water expansion

Details of Harrogate Spring Water’s plan to expand its bottling plant in the Pinewoods are expected to be revealed this year.

Following a high-profile refusal of its previous plan in January 2020, the company announced its intention to resubmit a fresh proposal.

It would be a new application, said company bosses, and its old plan would be disregarded.

Read more:

• Why 2022 will be a big year of change for Harrogate’s local government future
• Harrogate Spring Water to submit fresh plan for Pinewoods bottling plant
• Harrogate business groups call for Station Gateway to be revised

However, since its announcement in July 2020, no proposal from Harrogate Spring Water has been made public.

The Stray Ferret has also been told that no meaningful talks with community groups have taken place since January’s refusal – something which the company promised to do.

In its most recent comments, Harrogate Spring Water said it was “still in the process of talking to all relevant parties”.

Station Gateway saga

One story which will continue into 2022 is the ongoing saga over the controversial Station Gateway project.

The £10.9 million scheme, which plans to reduce Harrogate’s Station Parade to single lane traffic and part pedestrianise James Street, will come before North Yorkshire County Council this month.

Latest Station Gateway visuals which show Harrogate’s James Street pedestrianised.

If they decide to go ahead, work on the project will begin this year.

However, the scheme faces criticism from residents groups and businesses. A second petition has been handed into the county council, marking another sign of growing opposition to the proposal.

It could scrap the scheme altogether — but the indications are it will press ahead and continue to face objections as the deadline looms for the project to start.

Council bosses have until March 2023 to spend the money granted to them by government for the gateway scheme.