Harrogate Borough Council has been criticised because it plans to promote its latest Maltkin consultation through social media and video, rather than at in-person events in Green Hammerton, Kirk Hammerton and Cattal.
A draft development plan document (DPD) has been drawn up by officers at HBC that includes a vision for how the 3,000-home settlement called Maltkiln will eventually look. The developer Oakgate Group would build the homes.
It is the biggest housing scheme in HBC’s Local Plan, which sets out where development can take place until 2034, and it is likely to change the face of the three small villages off the A59.
No exhibitions
The draft DPD is set to go before councillors at a meeting on September 21.
If approved, a six-week public consultation on the document will take place, beginning on October 6.
However, an email from a senior planning manager to councillors and stakeholders, seen by the Stray Ferret, says the consultation will only be promoted through social media, posters and an ‘explanatory video’ that sets out what the DPD is.
The email says:
“Please note that we are not holding a public exhibition as we feel that the explanatory video will have a broader reach and be more appropriate given the nature of the content of the DPD.
“During more detailed master planning, when visual options are being presented and design codes discussed, then public exhibitions may be more appropriate.”
Cllr Alex Smith, of Kirk Hammerton Parish Council, said he felt this was unsatisfactory, particularly for residents who struggle to navigate the council’s website.
He said:
“By deciding not to exhibit in the affected villages, HBC are excluding those residents who are unable to navigate the depths of the consultation site, something which is challenging, even for experienced users.
“Council leader Richard Cooper went out of his way to promise residents that the consultation would be genuine and inclusive, but this feels like neither.”
The layout for Maltkiln, which is centred around Cattal Station
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Cllr Smith compared the proposals to develop Maltkiln with Harrogate’s Station Gateway, which has seen several rounds of in-person public consultations organised by North Yorkshire County Council. He added:
“You only have to compare what’s happening with the Station Gateway, which, even on its third consultation, is getting three days of public exhibitions.
“For the ‘New Settlement’ – a much more significant development – the council have managed to switch preferred options, chosen the site, and even named it, without so much as setting foot in one of the local village halls.
“Some consultations are more genuine and inclusive than others, it would seem.”
In response, a HBC spokesperson said:
Nidd Gorge tree felling complete, but more likely to go next year“This is the latest consultation regarding the new settlement in the Hammerton/Cattal area of Harrogate district, known as Maltkiln. And follows a number of earlier stages of consultation and engagement that have helped shape the Development Plan Document (DPD), which we are now consulting on.
“The DPD is a sizeable policy framework that will allow us to manage how the new settlement is developed moving forward, and due to its nature, it is more appropriate to host an online consultation to ensure all information and documents – of which there are many – are easy to view and digest.
“To ensure the public is made aware of this consultation we will be producing a video, FAQ document, issuing press release(s), social media posts, a Residents’ News article, as well as informing the community liaison group and printing leaflets and posters to raise awareness of the consultation.
“During more detailed master planning, when visual options are being presented and designs discussed, public exhibitions may be more appropriate.”
The felling of 500 trees with an infectious disease in the Nidd Gorge is now complete — but the Woodland Trust warns more are likely to be chopped down over the next couple of years.
Parts of the popular beauty spot in Bilton look a little different now after the felling, which has been taking place over the last month and involved the closure of some footpaths by the River Nidd.
The conservation charity, which owns Nidd Gorge, said the work was necessary to protect other trees in the woodland. The charity said it did not profit financially from the work.
The disease is called Phytophthora ramorum and has a devastating impact on native trees. Once infected, the tree eventually dies.
Larch trees like those found in Nidd Gorge are highly susceptible to the disease.
The Woodland Trust’s site manager, Jonny Walker, said:
“The planned felling work is complete. There is likely, however, to be more felling in the next 12 to 18 months. We are awaiting confirmation as to whether a further section of larch is also likely infected with Phytophthora ramorum and subject to a statutory plant health notice from the Forestry Commission.”
A poster about the works in Nidd Gorge
Planned work to improve footpaths will shortly be starting downstream of Rudding Bottoms with further disruption to footpath users.
But it is hoped once complete regular walkers should see safer, firmer footing along the riverside path.
Mr Walker added:
“There will also be removal of some diseased ash trees where they cause a danger to the public using the paths in the wood. Silvicultural work will also be taking place in the young woodland along Rudding Bottoms to promote varied canopy heights, gaps for sunlight, shelter for birds and invertebrates and to create deadwood habitat.
“All of which increase ecological integrity and are vital for a healthy woodland; something highlighted in State of the UK’s Woods and Trees report published by the Woodland Trust in 2021.”
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Reported sighting of missing Harrogate woman in Wetherby
North Yorkshire Police says a member of the public reported seeing missing Harrogate woman Judith Holliday in Wetherby yesterday, as officers continue to search for the missing 73-year-old.
Judith was last seen on Saturday at 10.43am at Library Gardens in Harrogate after she left her care home.
Police believe she may have walked from here to use public transport.
She is described as white, thin build, approximately 5ft in height, with medium-length grey bobbed hair. She was last seen wearing dark-coloured trousers and a coat.
The police have deployed their operational support unit as well as a drone to search for her in rural areas around Harrogate.
Extensive CCTV enquires are also taking place to try and establish any further positive sightings.
North Yorkshire Police critical incident inspector, Martin Smith said:
Free home security upgrade scheme opens in Harrogate district“We’re currently extremely concerned for the welfare of Judith. I believe that Judith has either walked from this location on foot or has used public transport.
“I would urge members of the public, in particular people in the Harrogate and Wetherby areas to remain vigilant, and report any sightings to police immediately.”
A scheme for some Harrogate district villagers to improve the security of their homes opens today.
The Protect Your Home scheme aims to prevent burglaries on the district’s border with West Yorkshire. Grants are available for new locks for doors, windows, garages and sheds as well as alarm systems for farms.
For homes with suitable WiFi coverage, the scheme also includes a RING video doorbell.
£719,590 is available in total with over 1,000 homes and 90 farms eligible. It is funded by the government and administered by the office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner North Yorkshire.
Residents living in Harrogate district villages Hopperton, Kirk Deighton, Kirk Hammerton, Leathley, Long Marston, North Deighton, Sicklinghall, Spofforth with Stockeld can apply.
Residents will receive a registration pack through the post over the next six weeks and can sign up at www.protectyourhome.org.uk.
Conservative Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, Zoë Metcalfe, said:
“Burglary can leave people feeling vulnerable, frightened and distressed, the best way of deterring criminals from the entire community is for as many residents as possible to sign up and make their properties more secure so please sign up as soon as possible.”
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Police growing ‘increasingly concerned’ for missing Harrogate woman
North Yorkshire Police says it is growing ‘increasingly concerned’ for the welfare of missing Harrogate woman Judith Holliday who has been missing since Saturday.
Judith, who is 73, was last seen on Saturday at 10.43am at Library Gardens in Harrogate after she left her care home.
She is described as white, thin build, approximately 5ft in height, with medium-length grey bobbed hair. She was last seen wearing dark-coloured trousers and a coat.
The police have deployed their operational support unit as well as a drone to search for her.
Judith requires daily medication and it’s believed she doesn’t have this with her. She has a limited amount of cash and doesn’t have a mobile phone.
Anyone with information that could help with the search should email matthew.bulmer@northyorkshire.police.uk. You can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Matthew Bulmer.
If you have an immediate sighting of Judith call 999.
Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220153505
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Long-term delays expected at key junction on way to Leeds Bradford Airport
Delays are expected until Spring next year on a key junction between Harrogate and Leeds Bradford Airport while roadworks take place on the A660 and the A658.
The Dyneley Arms junction, at the top of Pool Bank, connects Pool-in-Wharfedale to north Leeds, as well as to Bradford, Otley and the airport.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority is spending £2.4m on the scheme, which involves widening roads and adding crossings and turning lanes.
The council said the works will improve journey times between Leeds and Harrogate. The main works will begin on September 12.
Cllr Helen Hayden, Labour councillor on Leeds City Council said:
“This junction was ranked one of the top congested junctions in the Leeds district. I’m pleased to see after a lot of efforts to deliver the scheme, we’re finally able to make a start to improve capacity at the junction.
“The scheme will also provide benefits to improve journey times between Leeds and Harrogate, and the intervening villages when it completes in spring next year. Like many schemes in construction across Leeds, we’re advising motorists to allow more time for journeys and to plan ahead where possible. We apologise in advance of any inconvenience caused.”
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Harrogate pub Christies reopens after refurb
Harrogate pub Christies has reopened after closing for a month-long refurbishment.
The watering hole on Kings Road, owned by Punch Pubs and Co, welcomed customers to take a look at the new-look pub last Thursday.
The building has had a fresh coat of paint and builders have been busy giving the bar and outside a makeover.
Despite some changes, new managers Lee and Ben say every effort has been made to ensure the pub keeps its “traditional unique character and pub-like atmosphere”.
For drinkers there is a choice of five draft lagers, four cask ales and a selection of craft beers.
There is also a finger food menu that includes burgers and hot dogs.
Previous landlords Marik Scatchard and Jo Jarvis left the pub in July after over 14 years.
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Harrogate district’s floral displays fall victim to hosepipe ban
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Plumpton Rocks to reopen next weekend after Turner inspired restoration
Plumpton Rocks will reopen to the public next weekend after several years of restoration works — which were aided by 200-year-old sketches by the famous landscape painter J M W Turner.
The Grade II* listed parkland and man-made lake fell into disrepair towards the end of the last century before Historic England added it to the “Heritage at Risk Register” in 2012.
Since then Historic England has worked with the current owners and spent more than £400,000.
The visitor attraction first closed for a major programme of repairs in 2013, which included works on the parkland, the dam and on the lake. It reopened three years later in 2016.
Plumpton Rocks closed again in October 2019 to do further work on the dam and bring it up to standard for the Reservoirs Act 1975, but covid further delayed the works.
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The owner of the site, Robert de Plumpton Hunter, said it will be “lovely to get it back open again”.
He said:
“It’s a great relief to see it done. It needed a bit of a refurb.
“The lake, which was silting up, would have been lost within 10 or 15 years.”
Mr Hunter was keen to restore the site, and the lake, to how they looked in the 1750s. But with no photos available, he was fortunate to draw on art created by one of the most famous ever English painters.
Turner painted a watercolour of Plumpton Rocks in 1797 and more sketches of the site are stored at the Tate in London, which were used to inspire the refurbishment.
Mr Hunter added:
“You really got a feel of what the landscape looked like 200 years ago, and we were able to use those sketches to aid the restoration. If Turner turned up now he would absolutely recognise the landscape, that is special.”
Plumpton Rocks will be open every Saturday and Sunday from September 3 from 11am to 6pm. There are plans to open it on more days in 2023. Dates will be announced on its website.
‘Plompton Rocks’ (1797-8) JMW Turner. http://www.tate.org.uk/art/work/D17202
Harrogate district’s floral displays fall victim to hosepipe ban
The Harrogate district’s famous floral displays will soon be looking worse for wear due to the hosepipe ban.
The ban came into force today and Harrogate Borough Council has confirmed it won’t be watering plants until it is lifted.
Yorkshire Water acted following months of dry weather, which have depleted water levels in the district’s reservoirs such as Thruscross and Swinsty.
It’s the first hosepipe ban in the area since 1995 and means the council’s parks and environmental services team, which looks after floral displays in parks as well as in towns and the city of Ripon, will have to watch its hard work wither until the ban is lifted.
The district’s floral displays are a source of local pride.
Little rain is forecast for the remainder of the month.
A council spokesperson said:
“The Yorkshire Water website states that during the period of the ban councils cannot use hosepipes or sprinklers to water floral beds, displays or hanging baskets in public locations.
“This unfortunately means that we are not able to continue watering the floral beds, hanging baskets, barrier baskets or floral tubs around the Harrogate district.
“Using watering cans is not practical and continues to use water from our water supplies, which are currently in short supply and high demand”.
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The council also runs a subsidised hanging basket scheme in which businesses pay the council to provide the basket and plants. Staff then water and maintain the baskets throughout the summer.
The council says businesses who use the scheme will not be eligible for a refund.
Its spokesperson added:
Rishi Sunak to court Conservatives in Harrogate tomorrow“The hanging basket scheme is already subsidised by the council to reduce the price of baskets to businesses in the town centre.
“The hosepipe ban has come in at the end of the season so hopefully with lower temperatures and a bit of rain over the coming weeks the baskets will last a few more weeks until they are scheduled to be removed late September.
“Whilst the hosepipe ban is unfortunate, it is also important that as community leaders we play our part in adhering to the restrictions and highlighting the need to conserve water”.
Rishi Sunak will visit Harrogate tomorrow to court Conservative Party members as he attempts to boost his flagging hopes of becoming the next Prime Minister, the Stray Ferret understands.
The former Chancellor is expected to be in Harrogate at around 3pm to meet members, who have been voting for either Foreign Secretary Liz Truss or Mr Sunak to be the next Tory leader and PM.
Mr Sunak was the most popular choice among MPs, but among members, polling has put him consistently behind Ms Truss.
Bookmaker William Hill has odds of 1/16 for Ms Truss to be the winner with Mr Sunak trailing way behind on 17/2.
A lengthy campaign has seen two rivals tour the country in July and August.
Liz Truss met members in Harrogate on August 9, attending a house on the Duchy estate believed to be owned by Harrogate Borough Council deputy leader Graham Swift.
Liz Truss arrives at Bettys in Harrogate this month.
It will be the second visit to the Harrogate district for Mr Sunak, who spoke to party members in Masham earlier in the campaign.
The winner will be announced by September 5.
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The Richmond MP has the backing of both Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones and Skipton and Ripon MP Julian Smith.
In an article on his website, Community News, Mr Jones described why he is backing the former chancellor. He wrote:
“The country needs someone who is consistent and transparent to reinvigorate trust in politics.”