Ahead of polling day on May 5, the Stray Ferret will be previewing each of the divisions in the Harrogate district up for election to North Yorkshire Council.

A total of 21 seats will be up for grabs in the district with most of the major parties contesting each one.

Today, we look at the Wathvale and Bishop Monkton division which will see three candidates standing for election.

Nick Brown, Conservative

Nick Brown will be standing as the Conservative candidate for Wathvale and Bishop Monkton division on May 5.

Mr Brown is currently the Bishop Monkton and Newby ward councillor on Harrogate Borough Council, which he has served for the past 14 years.

He said his priorities for the North Yorkshire Council would be to help oversee the transition to the new council and help further “democracy, openness, cost savings and efficiency”.

Mr Brown said:

“I have served the community in this role for the past 14 years, working hard for all residents, regardless of their political persuasion, and with every ward parish council in the area. 

“I have often spoken out on behalf of residents and their local issues, representing them vigorously regarding matters of interest to his electorate.”

Mr Brown added that he wanted to campaign for a “better deal” for rural areas from the new unitary council.

Hannah Corlett, Green Party

Hannah Corlett will be standing for the Green Party in the division on polling day.

Ms Corlett has lived in the village of Melmerby for the last five years and is a communications officer at Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust.

She joined the Green Party two years ago, which she has described as a “turning point” in her life.

Ms Corlett said she wants to see a “change in direction that people lead”, which she believes can be achieved from “the ground up”.

She said:

“When I joined the Green Party in 2020, it was part of a turning point in my life. I got involved with their activism straight away, fighting Harrogate Spring Waters expansion into Rotary Wood, public woodland. 

“Opening my eyes to the damage that is happening to our planet and the part we play in it, in the UK, driven by poor ideological policies. I want to see a change in direction that people lead, and I believe we can do this from the ground up with grassroots activism.”

Christopher Knight, Liberal Democrat

The Liberal Democrat candidate for the Wathvale and Bishop Monkton division will be Christopher Knight.

Mr Knight moved to the Yorkshire Dales in 2013 and is a semi-retired business consultant.

He said he is a believer in strong representation and “collaborative politics”.

Mr Knight said:

“I joined the Liberal Democrats in 2016 and I became active in the General Election campaign of 2019, supporting our Parliamentary Candidate Andrew Murday.

“I am a semi-retired business consultant who has lived and worked in several countries, and I speak French, German and some Italian. I am a passionate believer in strong local representation as well as collaborative politics at a regional, national and international level.”

Read more:

• How the Harrogate district’s wards will change ahead of local election
• Full list of election candidates in Harrogate district revealed

A separate by-election for the Wathvale ward on Harrogate Borough Council will also be held on May 5.

The election will see a new councillor elected to represent the ward on the borough council.

You can read more on the candidates here.

Villagers in Bishop Monkton say climate change has led to increased flooding in their village over the past decade — and two housing developments, with a total of 125 new homes, will exacerbate the problem.

Bishop Monkton Action Group was formed two years ago to raise awareness in the village about a 98-home development on Moor Road by Alfa Homes and 25-homes by Kebbell Developments on Knaresborough Road.

The group’s members are residents Kenneth Barker, Jonathan Beer, Harvey Bigg, Martin Minett, Raj Selvarajan and Bob Upton.

Both sites in the village, which is five miles south of Ripon, were allocated for development in Harrogate Borough Council’s Local Plan, which means they are likely to be approved in some form.

But the action group is holding out hope that they will be dismissed outright because surface water at the two sites will run off into Bishop Monkton Beck, a small river that runs through the village.

Major implications

The group says freak flood events are becoming more common in the village.

One resident submitted an objection to both developments that said from 2011 to 2020 the village faced nine days of floods, which was the same as the previous 50 years combined.

A spokesperson for the action group said

“The wider cumulative impacts of these developments will have major implications to the village in our view.”

The Alfa Homes proposal

Read more:

• Plan to build new classroom at Bishop Monkton school
• Plan to expand Bishop Monkton caravan site

Flood risk assessment

A flood risk assessment submitted on behalf of Alfa Homes says surface water from the development will be discharged into Bishop Monkton Beck, which the Environment Agency classes as a river.

The developer said it has factored in a 30% increase in rainfall due to climate change but the risk of flooding would remain low.

A flood assessment submitted on behalf of the smaller Kebbel Developments scheme said surface water run-off into the river “will not increase flood risk elsewhere.”

That scheme will store water in a tank before it is discharged into the river.

However, members of the action group fear the two schemes, as well as a plan to increase the number of caravans on a local holiday site, could make flood events like those seen in 2015 and 2020 worse.

The two applications have almost 300 objections between them, with many people citing fears about flooding in the village.

North Yorkshire County Council, which is the flood authority, said HBC should refuse the application on flood grounds. It said:

“[The development] will ultimately increase the risk of flooding and exacerbate an already flood prone area; potentially further jeopardising people, property and critical infrastructure.”

Mike Mulligan, director at Kebbell Developments, sent the following response:

“The site is allocated for residential development in the adopted Harrogate Local Plan and therefore the principle of development has already been established. The comments and concerns of local residents on surface water flooding are noted and our engineers are liaising with the relevant bodies on the detailed design of the on-site attenuation and drainage scheme.

“We can confirm that the surface water drainage scheme for the development will meet all the necessary requirements. The key principle of the scheme is to ensure that the surface water is attenuated on the site in a large storage tank before being slowly discharged into the Beck at an agreed discharge rate.”

Afla Homes did not send a response at the time of publication

Bishop Monkton Church of England Primary School has submitted plans to build a new permanent classroom.

The new structure would replace a temporary unit at the school that would be demolished.

Planning documents submitted to North Yorkshire County Council say the 134 square metre classroom would provide a more accessible and inclusive environment for pupils.

The village school currently has around 100 pupils.

Documents say:

“The new classroom unit will provide modern teaching environment and a much-needed space for the needs of the existing pupils providing them with a more suitable means of access and teaching environment.”

A decision on the proposal will be made at a later date.

Read More:

• Plan to expand Bishop Monkton caravan site
• Runners raise funds for all-weather track at Bishop Monkton school

Proposals have been submitted to expand a caravan park at Bishop Monkton, near Ripon, by 31 caravans.

The plan, submitted by ELG Planning on behalf of the site owners, would see the Church Farm Caravan Park on Knaresborough Road in the village expanded.

The proposals seek to change the use of land to the south of the site to make space for 31 static caravans.

It would also see an existing farm building demolished to make way for a two-storey reception building, small shop and manager accommodation.

Read more:

• Knaresborough caravan park extension plan withdrawn

• Ripon building owners apologise for “eyesore” as redevelopment plans progress

In documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, the developer said:

“As illustrated by the site layout, the proposed development layout represents an attractive form of development, which compliments the existing caravan park and respects the existing public right of way which runs through the site.”

The developer added that the aim of the proposal was to create a “a high-quality form of tourist accommodation that will complement the existing caravan park”.

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

A 10 kilometre race and fun run that raise money for a Harrogate district primary school is set to return this month.

The event, which was founded by race director Rebecca Owen, is called Beck Busters and helps Bishop Monkton Church of England Primary School.

It hopes to generate £10,000 to get an all-weather track for the school field that children can use all year round.

Beck Busters didn’t take place last year because of lockdown restrictions but will return on September 19 for a fourth time.

Nina Swainston, one of the organisers, said:

“It’s a big local community event, anyone of all ages can take part.”

Read More:

• Fun runs to restart in Harrogate
• £22,000 fundraising campaign launched for Ripon Walled Garden

Ms Swainston said runners were still welcome to enter. There are currently about 20 spaces for children out of a maximum entry of 150 and about 110 adult spaces out of a maximum entry of 330.

Entry costs £5 for children and £18 for adults (£16 for members of a running club).

The Beck Buster run is 10 kilometres, while the fun run is two kilometres.

Participants from clubs such as Ripon Runners and Harrogate Harriers have taken part.

In past years, the fundraiser has allowed the school to afford iPads for children, as well as save towards creating an all-weather track.

For more information see the Beck Busters website.

Villagers in Bishop Monkton have shared their pandemic stories in a new exhibition opening this weekend.

The exhibition, organised by the village’s Local History Group, includes more than 400 pictures, videos and written reflections on life over the past 18 months.

The collection includes words and pictures about the village community support network that was set up, people’s own experiences after catching covid and the difficulties faced by those having to shield.

The pictures also include the brighter moments such as when the community came together for VE Day or covid-safe carol singing.

A village phone box has been saved after residents objected over concerns that it may be required for emergency use.

BT launched a consultation on a proposal to remove the red phone booth from Grantley, near Ripon, after it said there was sufficient mobile coverage in the area.

It planned to remove the phone box, along with two others in Bishop Monkton and Markington.

However, Grantley and Sawley Parish Council objected to the move over concerns that the village has a defibrillator which is used by residents and passing cyclists and walkers.

In a letter to BT, David Taylor, clerk of the parish council, said:

“The parish council supports a defibrillator in the village for the benefit of the local community and for walkers and cyclists who regularly pass through the village.

“It is absolutely essential that a reliable means of telecommunication exists in the event that the defibrillator unit requires deployment.

“Until there is a universal and reliable mobile telephone and broadband service in the area, the village are very much opposed to the de-commissioning and removal of the payphone.”

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As a result, Harrogate Borough Council objected to the removal of the phone box. 

However, it has offered no objection to removing those on Boroughbridge Road in Bishop Monkton and High Street in Markington.

A BT spokesperson confirmed the booth would remain in place and added that the company was encouraging residents to adopt red phone boxes for community use.

The spokesperson said:

“With the vast majority of people now using mobile phones, it’s led to a huge drop in the number of calls made from pay phones. At the same time, mobile coverage has improved significantly in recent years due to investment in masts.

“There are many pay phones that see no calls made from them each month. So, we’re giving communities the chance to decide how best they can use their local phone box.

“We’ve consulted with Harrogate Borough Council on the proposed removal of three pay phones in the area. The council raised an objection to the removal of a payphone in Grantley, so the service will stay in place. We received no objection to the removal of two pay phones in Markington and Bishop Monkton.

“For iconic red kiosks, we’re encouraging communities or charities to adopt them for only £1, so they can transform them into things like lifesaving heart defibrillator units, or libraries. Communities can also adopt glass ones for defibrillators. More than 6,400 kiosks have been adopted already through our website, bt.com/adopt.”

Last year, BT Group announced plans to remove 32 inactive booths across the Harrogate district, 22 of which were built in the traditional red style.

Oatlands Community Group saved a disused red phone box on St Hilda’s Road from the scrapheap by turning it into a community library.

A village church in the Harrogate district wants to permanently remove all of its pews to create more space for events.

St John the Baptist Church in Bishop Monkton replaced the pews with individual chairs in November as a temporary social distancing measure.

It now wants to make the arrangement permanent so it can hold choir concerts, coffee mornings and fundraising events.

If it succeeds, it would sell all 14 pine pews, which are believed to date back to the church’s consecration in 1879. Each one could fetch a few hundred pounds.

The church has notified Harrogate Borough Council, the Victorian Society and Historic England that it intends to permanently remove the pews in the Grade Two listed building.

The Diocese of Leeds will take into account any comments before deciding whether to proceed.

If the move goes ahead, the church’s seating capacity would remain at 95 — but because individual chairs are easier to move than pews, it would make it easier to stage events.

Sue Short, the church warden, told the Stray Ferret a survey in the village had shown there was widespread support for the idea of turning the church into a “more flexible, usable space”. She added:

“It just seems to me to be incredibly sensible.

“We’ve got to move forward. We have to be innovative and be forward thinking with the use of the church.

“I personally feel a church is there to be used by the community rather than just exist as an icon.”

Read more:

• Wait for glass delays reopening of Ripon church
• Harrogate council threatens vicar with criminal charges in planning row

The church, which recently underwent repair work to the tower, will require a new roof in the next 10 years and fundraising would be boosted by the potential to host more events.

A Statement of Significance, submitted by the Reverend Robb Wainwright in planning documents to Harrogate Borough Council, said:

“On the whole it would have the desired effect of making the whole nave a much more flexible worshipping and missional space.

“The village is organising a new arts festival, now scheduled to begin in 2022 rather than this year. It is hoped that the church will be one of the main venues.”

Developers have submitted plans to build 28 homes in the village of Bishop Monkton, near Ripon.

Kebbell Development, which is based in Buckinghamshire, has lodged the proposal for land at Knaresborough Road in the village.

The plans submitted to Harrogate Borough Council would see two, three, four and five-bedroom homes built on the site.

In its plans, the developer said 40% of the homes proposed for the site would be allocated to affordable housing.

Read more:

• Plans to turn Bishop Monkton pub into five houses
• Green Hammerton gets final approval for 3,000-home settlement

It added that the homes would be in keeping with the local area and that the development will “positively contribute” to the community.

The site on Knaresborough Road in Bishop Monkton which has been proposed for housing.

A decision on the proposal will be made by the council at a later date.

The development comes after Alfa Homes, a sister company of Wetherby-based developer Berkeley DeVeer, lodged plans for 98 homes in the village.

The 98 homes have been proposed for the western edge of the village on Knaresborough Road and Moor Road.

A new garden centre creating 40 jobs is set to open at the old Cascades site between Harrogate and Ripon.

The site, just outside of Bishop Monkton on Harrogate Road, has been bought by British Garden Centres, and will become its 58th centre.

British Garden Centres has begun work on the site and plans to re-open it early next month as Harrogate Garden Centre.

The new owner has said it plans to use the whole site but will add covering to some areas to allow for all-weather shopping.

A BGC spokesman told the Stray Ferret the company had visited Harrogate regularly for trade shows and decided to pursue the opportunity to buy the site.

Founder Charles Stubbs said:

“I’m delighted we can bring the unique BGC offer to the Harrogate area and look forward to meeting our new customers.

“I’m excited by the prospect of re-opening the garden centre and we are going to pull out all the stops and open in April with our full gardening range.”

“The first thing we need to do is recruit a team, we’ll be welcoming 40 people to the family in the next few weeks.”

Mr Stubbs also said a further 15 staff would be recruited once the restaurant opens in the summer.

The restaurant will be in the same location as previous years but will have a new look.

Read more:

• TGI Fridays could be coming to Harrogate. 
• Tourist hotspot, Stump Cross Caverns, reaches fundraising targets and hopes to open in May.

The centre, which has previously been known as Grass Roots and Cascades Garden Centre, has been closed for over a year. It is seven miles from Harrogate.

BGC is a family-led business that was founded 30 years ago by brothers Charles and Robert Stubbs in Lincolnshire.