People are being urged to act now in low lying areas near Boroughbridge, where flooding is expected today.
Although the Harrogate district is ending the year with unseasonably mild temperatures of 12 degrees centigrade expected at midnight, recent wet weather is having an impact.
The government’s flood warning website has flagged up land near the caravan park at Roecliffe, near Boroughbridge, as the local area in most imminent danger due to rising levels on the River Ure.
The warning says:
“River levels are rising on the River Ure due to rainfall. Flooding is forecast to affect locations near the River Ure, with low lying land expected to be most affected, particularly around Roecliffe Caravan Park.
“Flooding is affecting Roecliffe Caravan Park from 03:30 PM on 31/12/2021. The forecast is dry for throughout the afternoon and this evening, with some showers expected tomorrow. River levels will start to fall overnight.”
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It is one of only two flood warnings currently in place in England. The other is in Carlisle.
People are being advised to move vehicles to higher ground, move family and pets to safety, move important items upstairs and turn off gas, electricity and water supplies.
A less severe flood alert has been issued for the Lower River Ure, near Ripon.
It said prolonged overnight rainfall caused rising river levels this morning.
“Levels are now peaking in the upper reaches of the catchment, but levels in the lower reaches of the catchment are still rising and will continue to do so through today, Friday 31st December.
“Some further showers are expected at times today, with weather conditions remaining unsettled for the coming days.”
Plan to expand Bishop Monkton caravan site
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.
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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.
Knaresborough caravan park extension plan withdrawnDevelopers behind plans for an extension of a caravan park in Knaresborough have withdrawn the proposal.
The proposal by Lido Leisure Parks would have seen the Low Bridge Holiday Park, Abbey Road, expanded with a further 28 caravans.
Documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council say the plan would have seen the development built on Orchard Cliffs on Briggate.
As well as the holiday lodges, car parking and access were also included in the application.
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However, residents wrote the borough council to raise concern over increased traffic, impact on amenities and damage to wildlife.
The site layout for the caravan park in Knaresborough as submitted to Harrogate Borough Council.
The current holiday park includes 36 privately owned static caravans.
The developer said in its plans that the site would be a “valuable investment” in the town.
In documents submitted to then authority, it said:
Plan submitted to extend Knaresborough caravan park“Detailed and careful consideration has been given to the proposals. The proposals create a development that not only respects the site and its surroundings but also provides a high quality and well considered place to live and holiday.
“The proposal will be a valuable investment in the town’s tourism offer.”
Plans have been submitted to extend a holiday park in Knaresborough with 28 caravans.
The proposal by Lido Leisure Parks would see the Low Bridge Holiday Park, Abbey Road, expanded.
Documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council say the plan would the see the development built on Orchard Cliffs on Briggate.
As well as the holiday lodges, car parking and access is also included in the application.
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New housing contributing to ‘nightmare’ traffic on Knaresborough Road
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The current holiday park includes 36 privately owned static caravans.
The site layout for the caravan park in Knaresborough as submitted to Harrogate Borough Council.
In a design and access statement lodged to council, the developer said:
“Detailed and careful consideration has been given to the proposals. The proposals create a development that not only respects the site and its surroundings but also provides a high quality and well considered place to live and holiday.
“The proposal will be a valuable investment in the town’s tourism offer.”
The borough council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.
Staycation bookings ‘piling in’ for Harrogate district campsitesBookings have surged at Harrogate district campsites since the government’s ‘roadmap’ announcement, raising hopes of a staycation summer.
After almost 12 months of opening and closing, the campsites welcomed the clarity provided on Monday about when they could welcome holidaymakers once again.
When restrictions were lifted last summer, there was a staycation boom locally, with several campsites saying there had been an influx of people wishing to holiday closer to home.
They now hope for a repeat this year.
Marie Laverick manager of Woodhouse Farm caravan park, said the phone “has been ringing off the hook” since the announcement. She said:
“The phone hasn’t stopped, so many people are either booking their pitch or rearranging dates for the new restrictions.
“We are gutted about Easter; we lost it last year too and we’ll lose the first May bank holiday but it looks good going forward. We had 50 bookings overnight!”
Phil Brierley director of York House Leisure, which owns four holiday parks in North Yorkshire including sites in Boroughbridge and Ripon, said it was important for the industry to continue to be supported by government.
He said:
“We are very happy that there’s a plan in place and there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
“It’s great news but it’s bittersweet because the parks industry was originally shut down in March so this year will be the second Easter in a row that we have missed. We have effectively experienced a year-long winter so there’s an awful lot of ground to make up.
“We have certainly seen an increase in enquiries at our parks since the announcement. We would hope as an industry to see continued aid from the government, such as 5% VAT, extended business rate relief and the furlough scheme.”
Woodhouse Farm Caravan Park. Photograph: Facebook
The roadmap allows caravan parks to open on April 12 but without any facilities such as toilet blocks. On May 17 the sites can fully reopen.
Similarly in Great Ouseburn, Burrows Park has seen an increase in bookings. Co-owner Richard Kay said:
“Assuming the government roadmap targets for easing covid measures are met we will have a full opening on May 17. We look forward to welcoming back all our regular site users and to a very busy summer. We hope that the weather is with us and all our guests enjoy their time!”
Read more:
- North Yorkshire Police say it is preparing for “influx” of visitors once lockdown is eased.
- Harrogate businesses react to covid roadmap.
Richard Flinton, chair of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, said at the county’s weekly media briefing yesterday:
Plans for Great Ouseburn caravan park could see it double in size“We are optimistic in terms of what the future is for our hospitality sector. People can start booking and should enquire about refunds should they not be able to go ahead.
“This is a real opportunity for us. We do look forward to welcoming people back to our beautiful county.”
A caravan park in Great Ouseburn could double in size if planning is approved by Harrogate Borough Council.
The Burrows Park currently hosts 60 pitches for campers and caravaners but if plans were approved it would have capacity for approximately 100 pitches.
The park’s co-owner, Richard Kay, said this year had been “challenging” but over summer the park saw an influx of visitors as the staycation trend grew.
The 4 acres of land signposted for planning is already owned by the caravan park and currently used as an overspill area.
The plans include 57 further pitches, improved access, a toilet and shower block and a reception building.
The park said it has many eager people waiting to book a holiday and hoped this planning would allow it to facilitate everyone.
Mr Kay said:
“We’ve been talking about the plans for two years, my daughter only has one year left at college and she’s eager to get involved in the site so it seemed like the right time. Once it’s done it should look great and it’ll offer a mixture of seasonal and touring pitches.”
“We had a very busy summer especially with new caravaners which was great to see. But it has been a challenging year too, so we will just have to see how next year goes.”
Mr Kay has co-owned the site with his wife for seven years. As an avid caravaner himself he hopes the plans will bring more visitors to boost the local area.
Read more:
- Planning for an old site in Ripon has been refused due to the impact on local heritage.
- Plans for a new business park in Knaresborough could support 2,000 jobs.