Stray Views is a weekly column giving you the chance to have your say on issues affecting the Harrogate district. It is an opinion column and does not reflect the views of the Stray Ferret. Send your views to letters@thestrayferret.co.uk.
I am writing in response to a couple of articles relating to the council’s provision of electric vehicle charging points at its car parks in Knaresborough. The campaign itself is not reflective of the residents, taxpayers or visitors to Knaresborough.
The campaigners are failing to understand the effects petro carbons have not only on the environment but on people affected with chronic lung conditions like COPD and the more common asthma. There is also a direct cost to tax payers of Knaresborough as we have effectively paid for the electric vehicle charging points so to actively campaign for their removal is going to mean service provision cuts in order to fund it, and, no doubt in two years’ time to fund putting them back.
As such 0.12% of the Knaresborough taxpayer’s population are trying to make decisions for the 99% majority which is simply undemocratic and narrow minded.
If the issue is, as they allege that the car parks are full, what is wrong with reverting Gracious Street car park to short stay only? It used to have a maximum stay time so why not reintroduce this concept and make it two hours maximum stay with a no return in four hours, this could be extended to the castle car park.
Whilst the market place spaces could be subject to a very short term stay of one hour no return in four hours again. This leaves Conyngham Hall and York Place as longer stay car parks.
I have another proposal here too as there are businesses that do have car parking which may not be fully utilised so as a collective why don’t they work together and use the space we have but more effectively? What about car sharing? Using our fantastic public transport?
I am writing this letter due to the toxic nature of the anti-environment campaign given repeated air time at the Stray Ferret without seeking the views of Knaresborough taxpayers who will suffer if the spaces are removed.
We should be praising the council for taking the issue of pollution by the scruff of the neck and making Knaresborough a blueprint for other cities, towns and villages within North Yorkshire. I would welcome more clean air studies as per the Bond End work, subject to them getting government funding as I believe councils have funds but they can also apply for grants for such work.
Adrian Robson, Knaresborough
Lack of planning on trains after The Hundred match at Headingley
The match finished around 9.15pm. Burley Park station was mobbed with no staff to manage the situation. The platform was jammed and more people continued to arrive without any control – lots of families with young children.
People were very good natured but it was very lucky that there were no problems. After the test match, which ended at 6pm, there were loads of staff and transport police.
When the train arrived it was already busy and so everyone was jammed in. Surely this could have been planned for?
Stephen Hutchison, Harrogate
Do you have an opinion on the Harrogate district? Email us at letters@thestrayferret.co.uk. Please include your name and approximate location details. Limit your letters to 350 words. We reserve the right to edit letters.
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Killinghall Cricket Club resubmits plan for new pavilion
Killinghall Cricket Club has applied to demolish its current “dilapidated” clubhouse and build a new two-storey pavilion that it says will be fit for the sport in the 21st century.
According to planning documents submitted to North Yorkshire Council, the current 1970s-era structure was made with single-skin brickwork and has poorly insulated single-glazed windows.
It has led to expensive running costs for the club, which plays in the Nidderdale league.
There are two small changing areas with communal showers, which offers little privacy and has discouraged players from using them.
Female cricketers and umpires have nowhere designated to get changed, so have to use communal areas, the toilets or come already changed.
The current pavilion in Killinghall.
The club submitted plans to build a larger pavilion in January but following feedback from a planning officer that it would be too large and overbearing, they have decided to submit a new application for a smaller building.
The latest plans, designed by KPP Architects, include a main function room that is connected to the kitchen, toilets and bar. A disabled toilet and shower will also be built on the ground floor.
The first floor will have two large changing rooms as well as a scorer’s board.
The previous design for the pavilion at Killinghall.
The current facilities for the scorers on match days are currently inside a wooden hut, which the club says is neither attractive nor very comfortable to sit in.
A players’ balcony will also be created for teams to watch the match.
Planning documents state the new pavilion will help grow the sport in Killinghall and offer a social space for villagers.
It says:
“The proposal brings improvements to the existing facilities beyond the applicant’s vision. The current clubhouse was built in the early 1970s, which is very evident when visiting. The proposal will provide exceptional changing and hosting facilities for visiting teams, which would be of the best in the current Killinghall teams leagues.
“There is a hope to introduce junior cricket back to the cricket club, that used to be a vibrant and engaging part of the local community. The introduction of these new facilities will help facilitate the introduction of this and hopefully attract them to the club.”
The council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.
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