Newby Hall plans solar panel scheme to generate renewable energy

Newby Hall Estate near Ripon has tabled plans for a solar panel scheme to help generate renewable energy.

In proposals submitted to North Yorkshire Council, the estate has earmarked arable land outside the historic park and gardens for the project.

It would see four rows of solar panels installed which would generate 142,145kW hours per annum.

The estate estimates that the scheme could save 28.5 tonnes of carbon emissions per year.

In documents submitted to the council, Carter Jonas, which is acting on behalf of Newby Hall, said the proposal was designed to complement the estate’s existing hydroelectric scheme in the River Ure.

It said:

“The proposed solar scheme is designed so that when the hydroelectric scheme isn’t generating as much energy in the summer, the solar panels will provide an additional renewable supply. 

“During summer, the water levels in the river typically reduced, meaning sometimes the hydro scheme does not run at all – this season is when the demand for the visitor attraction peaks and therefore the generation profile from solar will complement the hydroelectric scheme.”

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

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Rudding Park refurbishment plan ‘could generate £14m’, say owners

A plan to renovate a golf and country club at Rudding Park estate could generate an economic benefit of £14 million a year to Harrogate, its owners have said.

The hotel and spa has formally submitted plans to North Yorkshire Council for the project.

It includes proposals to replace the current golf club, upgrade the family hub and create outdoor tennis courts and a pavilion.

It would also see the county’s first five-star country club created and restore the estate’s walled garden.

In documents submitted to the council, estate agents Carter Jonas, which is representing the hotel, said the move would contribute an additional economic impact of £14.3 million a year through employment, suppliers and tourism spend.

Masterplan of the renovations as proposed by Rudding Park.

It would also create 75 new jobs.

Simon Mackaness, owner of Rudding Park, said in a statement to the council:

“This application is an integral part of Rudding Park’s continuing programme for improvement and investment in the facilities so we can continue to fulfil our role as a responsible steward of the estate.

“To remain the jewel in the crown for Harrogate tourism, Rudding Park must develop these high-quality fitness, sports, leisure and recreational spaces to complement the hotel, spa and house and the legacy of the last 50 years development.”

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

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Rudding Park unveils golf and country club renovation plan

Rudding Park Hotel and Spa in Harrogate has unveiled plans to renovate its golf and country club and restore its walled garden.

The hotel has drawn up the plans with planning consultants, Carter Jonas, as part of a refurbishment of its estate.

They include proposals to replace the current golf club, upgrade its family hub and the creation of outdoor tennis courts and a pavilion.

It would also see the county’s first five-star country club created.

The plans also seek to restore the estate’s walled garden.

Masterplan of the renovations as proposed by Rudding Park.

Masterplan of the renovations as proposed by Rudding Park.

Designs for the renovation were unveiled at a consultation event at Rudding Park on Friday (February 23).

Sarah Cox, partner at Carter Jonas, said:

“We are keen to show that you have owners here who are keen to invest in the site.”

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She added that the move to restore the site would also see 10,000 trees planted and three wetland areas created.

The consultants estimate that the proposals could generate an economic benefit of £14 million a year to Harrogate and create 75 new jobs.

In its proposals, Rudding Park said:

“Over the last 50 years, Rudding Park has become the standard bearer for quality hospitality in Harrogate, and positions Harrogate as a UK wide and international tourist destination.

“To build on that legacy the business must evolve.”

An outline planning application will be submitted to Harrogate Borough Council later this month.

You can find out more information on the plans at Rudding Park here.

Carter Jonas makes new senior appointment in Harrogate

Business Breakfast is sponsored by Harrogate law firm Truth Legal. 

Carter Jonas has made a new senior appointment to its team who will be based in Harrogate.

Nicky Partridge is set to become the new Head of Yorkshire New Homes at the estate agents and property consultants.

She will help the northern sales team, aiding the consultancy to further extend its presence in the new homes sector, as well as reflecting the national levelling-up initiative.

Ms Partridge said:

“There has never been a greater need for new homes in the UK, with Michael Gove having recently announced the potential shortage year on year, so the time is now to answer the call for more stock.

“The new homes market is extremely buoyant. Enticements are rife, with green mortgages available for buyers who are drawn in by newer more energy efficient homes from quality developments. Through my 17 years’ experience of pricing, marketing and selling homes, I’ve found proven strategies for both consumers and developers, ensuring best prices are found for all home units.”

New Florist in Knaresborough

A new florist has opened up in Knaresborough this past week.

River & Rose is located on Market Place and specialises in bespoke designs for weddings, funerals and events.

The new florist opened on Friday and celebrated by hiding five bunches of flowers around the town.

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The £2.25m eco-house for sale that ‘blends in’ to the Nidderdale countryside

Nidderdale’s countryside conjures up images of farmhouses and stone cottages peppered across the sweeping rural landscape.

So Fringill Dike House in Darley certainly catches your eye.

However, the £2.25 million property isn’t invasive, as it has been intentionally designed to “blend in” to its natural surroundings.

The five-bedroom eco-house has been designed by Skipton-based Rural Solutions and took more than two-and-a-half years to build.

Underground

The property, which spans more than 6,000 ft, has been constructed using a mix of traditional dry stone walls and sedum living roofs. It is fitted with ground source heating, as well as an underwater storage tank, which collects rainwater.

A third of the house is also built underground.

Owner Paul Chapman lives on a nearby farm. He explained that the home had originally been built for him and his wife, Caron, on land owned by the couple.

Mr Chapman, who has eight children, said:

“We built four houses for our sons in one field and built this house in another. The intention was my wife and I were going to move into it.

“However, we decided we didn’t want to swap 13 acres for one. So we made the decision to sell it rather than move in.”

The property is back on the market with joint agents Knight Frank and Carter Jonas after an original sale fell through.

An aerial view of the house.

Despite it’s £2.25 million price tag, Mr Chapman said there had been a lot of interest in the property, which he put down to it being located in an affluent area.

However, he admitted he had spent too much on the build, which was hit by delays due to the pandemic.

He said:

“The difference between the build cost and the sale price is the price of the land, that’s all. It might not even be that much.”

But there is no denying the house is impressive, with no expense spared.

Private driveway

The property is approached via a lengthy private driveway over a bridge, which gently winds past a grassed field.

Upon entering the house, oak steps lead down from the hallway into a huge kitchen space. A wall of floor-to-ceiling glazing frames uninterrupted views of Nidderdale.

The huge kitchen that boasts incredible views across Nidderdale.

The lower ground floor features two large spaces, which have yet to be transformed.

Cinema room

Mr Chapman said:

“We were going to put a bar in one of the rooms, but when we decided we weren’t going to move in, we left them empty. So whoever moves in can build a bar, cinema room or a gym.”

Despite being underground, the lower floor features high ceilings with glazed panels in the terracing above, flooding the space with natural light. In addition to the two rooms, there is a shower room with a sauna, separate cloakroom and plant room.

One of the underground rooms.

Upstairs, a landing provides access to five bedrooms, all with their own ensuite facilities.

One of the bathrooms.

The gardens and grounds surrounding the property extend to just under 1.5 acres. A large paved sun terrace spans the entire width of the rear of the property.

Locally-sourced

Mr Chapman said:

“We had discussions with the architect and when the plans were designed, we were able to do a virtual tour of the house.

“We made sure everything was where we wanted it to be. We put in the best appliances and units and everything was sourced locally. For example Woodhouse, in Harrogate, designed and fitted the kitchen.

“It is named after the beck – or dike – that runs through the property.”

Mr Chapman, who has owned race horses for 15 years, has also named one of his horses Fringill Dike, a champion at that.

He said:

“He’s running again at Hexham this weekend and we are hoping he will win again.”

The sauna in the underground space.

Asked if he would build any more houses in the future, Mr Chapman, who moved to Darley from Howarth 12 years ago, didn’t seem overly keen.

He said:

“It went on too long. We did it for ourselves, but I wouldn’t want to build any to sell. If you employ a middle man, it’s hard to make a profit. Especially if you have to buy the land.”

‘Anchored in nature’

A statement on the Rural Solutions website, which features some impressive architectural drawings of the property, said:

“Working with the client, we produced a design for a new house on an open, sloping site in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“Incorporating a dynamic, landscape-based concept we used indigenous dry-stone walls as a device to structure a single ‘ribbon’ design. In this way the project was designed deliberately to blend into the landscape, using local, natural materials; a beautiful home anchored in nature.”

You can watch a video of the property here.

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