Harrogate council to award £40,000 pet crematorium contract

Harrogate Borough Council is set to award a £40,000 contract to create a pet crematorium at Stonefall Cemetery.

The crematorium will be built inside a converted shipping container at the crematorium on Wetherby Road.

The contract would cover the purchase and installation of a cremator, as well as five years maintenance.

Councillors backed plans for the district’s first pet crematorium in March 2022.

Stephen Hemsworth, bereavement services manager at the council, said at the time it was likely to cost about £50 for a rabbit to be cremated and over £200 for a dog.

The contract, which is being advertised on a government procurement website, is expected to start in June this year.

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It says:

“This contract includes the purchase of a pet cremator and container in which the cremator will be housed and operated, including delivery, installation, training and periodic maintenance.

“The anticipated contract value is £40,000.00 for the purchase, delivery, siting and installation of the containerised pet cremator including five years maintenance from the date of installation.”

The move to set up a pet crematorium follows in the footsteps of councils in North East Lincolnshire and Barnsley, which have built similar facilities.

The Harrogate facility will include a “goodbye room” in a converted garage where owners can say final farewells to their pets.

Knaresborough junction set for four weeks of roadworks

Drivers are warned to expect delays in Knaresborough for the next four weeks as roadworks start today.

Temporary traffic lights will be in place on the junction of Chain Lane, Wetherby Road and York Road.

North Yorkshire County Council is carrying out remedial work and replacing the kerbs at the junction.

Work will start today, May 3, and last for four weeks.

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The move comes after the road recently had temporary traffic lights for two weeks while Northern Gas Networks carried out work on the junction.

The gas distributor for the north of England replaced metal pipes with newer plastic versions.

It said in a press release the work would “ensure a safe and reliable supply of gas to customers now while getting the network ready to transport alternative greener fuels such as hydrogen in the future”.

Harrogate branded the ‘new Hollywood’ after film crews descend

The Harrogate district is rapidly becoming the new hotspot for film crews with the likes of Matt Smith, Sir Patrick Stewart and even a Barbados fire truck spotted locally this week.

The presence of so many cameras and stars suggests more and more producers recognise the district’s beauty and historic appeal.

Shaw Mills has been taken over by a film crew in recent weeks. Doctor Who actor Matt Smith has been in Nidderdale for a new horror movie, with numerous sightings of him in Pateley Bridge in between filming the adaptation of Andrew Michael Hurley’s novel Starve Acre.

A separate film crew set up on Harrogate’s Cardale Park this week. Phil Sands who works in Mackenzies Deli on the estate said Yorkshire Tea was filming a new advert starring Sir Patrick Stewart.

The actor, best known for his role in the Star Trek and X-Men series, is believed to have been taking part in a two-day shoot for Yorkshire Tea, whose previous adverts featured Sean Bean.

Mr Sands, the manager at Mackenzies Deli, said:

“They were here Wednesday and Thursday and it looked like a big production. Having Sir Patrick Stewart here was pretty amazing. It’s like Harrogate is the new Hollywood!”

The Mackenzies Deli team posted this on Instagram yesterday. Photograph: @mackenziesdeli

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A few weeks ago new Netflix film ‘Bank of Dave’ with Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor was filmed at the former Harrogate Borough Council offices in Crescent Gardens.

Today eagle-eyed reader Jonathan Edwards sent us a picture today of a Barbados fire engine driving up Wetherby Road with a camera attached to the front, prompting speculation of yet more filming.

The Stray Ferret has been told a BBC drama is being filmed in Harrogate town centre currently, but it is not known if the fire engine’s appearance related to this.

Photograph: Jonathan Edwards

Harrogate Leon developer puts up another sign without permission

Developers behind a Leon drive-thru in Harrogate have put up another advertising sign before permission to do so has been granted.

Pictures from the Wetherby Road site show a sign for the restaurant, which will serve healthy fast food, being placed on top of the building this morning. The sign is one-metre tall and the lettering lights up red.

Euro Garages has applied for the installation of 15 advertising boards, which include drive-thru directions, menus and a height restrictor bar.

But Harrogate Borough Council has yet to approve the application.

A spokesperson for the council said:

“We are aware of the signage and are considering what action may be required.”

The move comes just three weeks after the developer erected an eight-metre tall sign outside the drive-thru.

Council officials ordered the sign be taken down and warned that any work undertaken on advertising signage before an application was approved would be at the developer’s “own risk”.

Euro Garages declined to comment.

Concern over Leon design

Local residents have raised concern that the building on the site will be different from that which was approved.

Initially, approval was granted for the site to become a Starbucks — but it has since emerged that the drive-thru will instead be a Leon.

Residents raised concern when it became clear that the design of the building was not the same as that lodged to the council.

Joe Shields, who lives next to the site and is a former marketing manager for companies including fast-food chains, told the Stray Ferret:

“I have opened a few drive-thrus, I’m not against them.

“It is opening a drive-thru here which is nuts.”

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Harrogate Borough Council has acknowledged that the building being constructed is not the same as the designs submitted to the authority.

However, it added that the developer has already submitted another application for the design, which is under consideration.

The drive-thru has long proved contentious since it was granted permission by a government planning inspector last year.

Last month, the Stray Ferret reported that Harrogate Borough Council had agreed to pay £25,000 in costs to Euro Garages following the appeal hearing.

Helen Hockenhull, the planning inspector, awarded costs against the council after she said it “demonstrated unreasonable behaviour”.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Roadworks on Wetherby Road, before Woodlands traffic lights, have closed a section of lane and caused delays into town

Roadworks to the new Leon Harrogate site are causing delays after a section of Wetherby Road had to be closed.

Due to works on the pavement and tree removal, a section of the lane Macham Close and Hookstone Drive has been closed.

The works are set to continue until June 19.

The new Leon Harrogate, just before the Woodlands traffic lights, was formally a dental surgery and although previously earmarked to be a Starbuck drive-thru is will a Leon, described as a healthy fast food chain.

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Harrogate Town’s longest-serving player to retire

Harrogate Town‘s longest-serving player, Lloyd Kerry, will retire at the end of the season and join the club’s staff.

The hard-working midfielder, 33, signed from Tamworth in 2014 and has been a key cog in the team’s rise up the divisions and into the English Football League for the first time.

He’s played over 220 times and helped the club win promotion from the National League North and the National League, starting in the memorable Wembley play-off final against Notts County in August 2020.

He lifted a trophy at Wembley again last year in the FA Trophy and manager Simon Weaver said in a statement he will go down as a “club legend” for his achievements and service.

Kerry’s last game will be on the final day of the season when Harrogate Town host Sutton United on May 7.

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He will take up a new role at the club as head of player recruitment, scouting players for the first team and the academy.

Kerry said:

“I look back to when I first joined this football club in 2014 to where it is now eight years on and it’s unbelievable how far we’ve come and the success we’ve had! I’m grateful to have been on that journey which has created so much history for this club, I can always look back with pride of what we achieved together.

“We’ve made memories that will last us a lifetime and to have played my part is something I’ll never forget.”

Chairman, Irving Weaver also paid tribute to the midfielder. He said:

“Together we have enjoyed some great moments, particularly promotions and winning the FA Trophy. Lloyd moves on to a new roll with the club, now responsible for scouting and recruiting new players and he’s already beginning to make his mark, just like he has in 220+ games for Town.”

No conditions for Wetherby Road drive-thru to be a Starbucks, says council

No conditions were set for a planned drive-thru on Wetherby Road to be a coffee shop, say Harrogate council officials.

Lancashire-based developer Euro Garages is currently building a Leon restaurant on the site, despite being given permission for a Starbucks drive-thru.

Local residents have raised concern that the building on the site will be different from that which was approved.

Harrogate Borough Council has acknowledged that the building being constructed is not the same as the designs submitted to the authority.

However, it added that the developer has already submitted another application for the design which is under consideration.

Opening a drive-thru on Wetherby Road is ‘nuts’

Joe Shields lives across from the former Dental surgery site where the Leon is being built.

He and other residents have objected to the drive-thru being built since is was first proposed as a Starbucks in 2019.

While he is not against redeveloping the site, he raised concern over the drive-thru and its affect on neighbouring residents.

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Mr Shields, who worked as a marketing manager for various companies including fast-food chains, said:

“I have opened a few drive-thrus, I’m not against them.

“It is opening a drive-thru here which is nuts.”

Mr Shields pointed to the fact that the building at the site does not look like its designs.

A Starbucks drive-thru normally has a slanted roof, while Leon schemes are flat.

(Left) Designs for the Starbucks as submitted to Harrogate Borough Council and (right) the construction site of the Leon.

(Left) Designs for the Starbucks as submitted to Harrogate Borough Council and (right) the construction site of the Leon.

He questioned how the developer can continue to build a Leon, despite the fact that a government planning inspector gave approval for a Starbucks coffee shop drive-thru.

Last week, Mr Shields was forced to alert the planning authorities when contractors at the site began to erect an eight-metre advertising sign without permission.

He said:

“There are changes at the site on a daily basis.

“My impression is that they will just continue wacking this [the Leon] up.”

Meanwhile, David Stephenson lives next door to the site on Coachman’s Court.

David Stephenson, whose house on Coachmans Court is next to the drive-thru site on Wetherby Road.

David Stephenson, whose house on Coachman’s Court is next to the drive-thru site on Wetherby Road.

Mr Stephenson has lived with his wife in the same house for six years and would be able to see the serving hatch from his lounge window.

He said that he has accepted the fact that a drive-thru will be built next door to his home.

However, Mr Stephenson said he was concerned that the building being built is not the same as the designs.

He said:

“We were resigned to a Starbucks, but this is a bit overbearing.

“Why apply for planning permission if you’re going to do another building?”

No specific conditions for a coffee shop

The Stray Ferret asked Harrogate Borough Council how the developer was able to build the scheme as a Leon drive-thru when the original approval for the site is for a Starbucks coffee shop.

A spokesperson said:

“Permission was granted by the Planning Inspectorate for a ‘coffee shop to include a drive-thru’, not specifically for a Starbucks. 

“The Inspectorate did not add any conditions to the permission they gave restricting the use of the premises solely to a coffee shop, so it can legally be used for any other use within the same use class, which includes a drive thru food and drink establishment. 

“So permission is not required for any change of use. However, the building being built differs from the one given planning permission. Therefore, a planning application has been submitted for these changes and is under consideration.”

The Stray Ferret also asked Euro Garages to respond to concerns over the building and erecting advertising without permission, but the company declined to comment.

Traffic and Travel Alert: Northern Gas Networks to start work in Knaresborough today

Drivers in Knaresborough should expect delays as Northern Gas Networks begins work on York Road today.

The company is carrying out work to replace ageing pipework on the street.

Temporary traffic lights will be in place on at the junction with Wetherby Road for the duration of the roadworks.

Engineers will be carrying out the improvements, which are in collaboration with North Yorkshire County Council, for the next two weeks.

Scott Kitchingman, business operations lead for Northern Gas Networks, said: 

“We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused during these essential works. 

“However, it is vital we complete them in order to continue to maintain a safe and reliable gas supply to our customers in Knaresborough.”

The Stray Ferret has changed the way it offers Traffic and Travel alerts.

We will now notify you instantly through app notifications and flash tweets when there is an urgent alert. This could include heavy traffic, dangerous weather and long delays or cancellations of public transport.

The alerts are sponsored by The HACS Group.

Council orders Harrogate Leon developer to remove advertising sign

The developer behind a Leon drive-thru in Harrogate has been ordered to take down an eight-metre advertising sign after it was put up without permission.

Pictures from the Wetherby Road site show a sign advertising a Leon restaurant being erected yesterday.

The developer has applied for the installation of 15 advertising boards, which include drive-thru directions, menus and a height restrictor bar.

However, Harrogate Borough Council has yet to approve the advertisements.

Joe Shields, a resident who lives directly opposite the drive-thru, saw the pole being put in place by contractors at around 8am in the morning. He alerted planning officers to the situation.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret, Mr Shields said he was disappointed that the developer had erected the sign without permission.

Mr Shields said:

“There are changes at the site on a daily basis.

“My impression is that they will just continue wacking this [the Leon] up.”

The current construction site at the Leon on Wetherby Road.

The current construction site at the Leon on Wetherby Road.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council confirmed that a planning officer attended the Wetherby Road site to order that the advertisement be taken down.

The spokesperson added:

“We have also received an application for advertising at the site. Any works undertaken before the application is at the applicant’s own risk.”

The Stray Ferret asked Euro Garages for a response on the advertisement, but it declined to comment.

£25,000 appeal costs

The move comes as the borough council has agreed to pay Euro Garages £25,000 in appeal costs over the development.

Last year, Helen Hockenhull, a government planning inspector, granted permission for a Starbucks drive-thru on the former Dental surgery site.

It has since emerged that the site will become a Leon drive-thru instead.

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Ms Hockenhull awarded costs against the council after she said it “demonstrated unreasonable behaviour”.

The council turned down the development back in 2019 on air quality and highways grounds, but later withdrew its objection.

The move forced residents fighting the proposal to defend the authority’s reasons for refusal at the hearing.

Harrogate Town made £1m loss in first Football League season

Harrogate Town posted a loss of £1 million during its first season in the English Football League.

The club secured professional league status for the first time in its history in 2020 after winning the National League play-offs.

Town then played its entire 2020/21 season in League Two behind closed doors due to the covid pandemic.

According to accounts filed with Companies House, the club published a loss of £1.019 million for the 12 months to June 2021.

The club said it was not alone in struggling through the pandemic and added that growing its fanbase now that spectators are allowed into stadiums was “a priority”.

The accounts added that the club’s cash flow forecast for the next 12 months was dependent on Irving Weaver, chairman and majority shareholder, not requesting £3.7 million he has currently put into the club in order for it to meet its liabilities.

The accounts said Mr Weaver “does not intend to seek repayment of the amounts due for the period covered by the forecast”.

A spokesperson for Harrogate Town said:

“As with all sporting venues, entertainment and hospitality organisations, the club has had a challenging time during the pandemic with not being able to operate fully so we are obviously still playing catch up.

“As you would expect, as a relatively new league status club, and with fans allowed in for the first time this season since being promoted into the league, we are still growing our fan base and that will remain our priority.

“We have lots going on behind the scenes and will be announcing details of all new developments as soon as we are in a position to do so ahead of the new season but we are still in the planning and negotiations stages on various projects.”

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The club is currently in the process of improving facilities at the EnviroVent Stadium on Wetherby Road following promotion to the English Football League.

Last month Town officials applied to Harrogate Borough Council to build a new clubhouse at the stadium to meet demand from increased fans on match days.

Meanwhile, a new ticket office and turnstiles at the EnviroVent Stadium were approved by the council in April 2021.