Recycle your unwanted electrical items at Knaresborough Market this week

North Yorkshire County Council will be collecting small electrical items such as plugs, kettles and hairdryers at Knaresborough Market this week.

It’s part of a campaign to reduce the number of small electrical items being thrown in the bin or hidden away at home.

Members of volunteer group North Yorkshire Rotters will be on hand to collect anything with a plug, battery or cable free of charge.

They will also be giving away free tubs to store used batteries, which will be available while stocks last.

Knaresborough Market is one of 20 locations in North Yorkshire where people can recycle electrical goods over the next month.

They can also be recycled at the household waste recycling centres, which are operated by Yorwaste on behalf of the county council.

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Scarborough Conservative councillor Derek Bastiman, executive member for waste management, said:

“The library drop-off service and market day events throughout June will make it easier for many people to drop off items that don’t work anymore and can’t be repaired.

“But, if you struggle to get to a household waste recycling centre please ask a friend or neighbour to take your broken appliance the next time they go and I would encourage residents who do visit our household waste recycling centres to ask anyone they know who doesn’t drive if they need any help.”

Harrogate Spring Water to submit new plans to expand bottling plant soon

Harrogate Spring Water is to revert back to its original 2017 plan to expand its bottling plant — and will submit a new application soon that proposes how felled trees at Rotary Wood will be compensated for.

The company won outline planning permission to expand its premises on Harlow Moor Road by 5,500 sqm five years ago. It means the principle of development has been established but the finer details have not been agreed.

The approved 2017 plans involve the felling of some trees at Rotary Wood, a woodland behind its current site that was planted by The Rotary Club of Harrogate and local schoolchildren in the 2000s.

In January 2021 a high-profile reserved matters application that was 40% larger and looked to chop down more trees than had been agreed was turned down by Harrogate Borough Council‘s planning committee.

The application provoked a public backlash and generated a debate about how a large, successful businesses should operate in the era of climate change.

Compensation

To compensate for the loss of trees, the company offered to plant new ones, create scrubland and build a pond on private land behind RHS Harlow Carr.

But this was an offer that dismayed some councillors on the planning committee and local groups including Pinewoods Conservation Group.

Piers Forster, a professor of climate physics at the University of Leeds who lives in Harrogate published a co-authored report that said about five times more new woodland was needed to properly compensate for the loss of trees.

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Next steps

The company said in July 2021 that it was working on a brand new application and the old plan would be disregarded.

However, the company has now decided to go back to its original plan rather than going through the torturous process of starting from scratch.

But, as in 2021, it still will need councillors on the planning committee to approve a reserved matters application that deals with its appearance and crucially, how the destroyed trees at Rotary Wood will be compensated for.

The company is yet to publish exact details on how it will do this.

Consultation events

Harrogate Spring Water said in a statement that it is looking to achieve “net biodiversity gain” for the site, carry out a compensatory tree planting scheme and it will make the remaining part of Rotary Wood more accessible to the public.

A series of public consultation events will take place in June where people will get to have their say and shape the proposals.

The company said the plans would create 30 new jobs.

Richard Hall, managing director at Harrogate Spring Water, said:

“The town of Harrogate and the local community are at the heart of our business. So it is important for us to ensure that, as we look to grow, create further job opportunities and continue to support the local and regional economy, we also listen to them.

“That’s why we are now encouraging people to engage with us on this process, to give us the benefit of their views and to help shape the future of the company.

“We have a shared interest in driving prosperity for the town and creating a sustainable future for a key business that takes the Harrogate name around the UK and the world, and we hope that this process will allow us to come to a resolution which addresses people’s concerns and the town’s aspirations.”

A spokesperson for the Pinewoods Conversation Group said:

“Whilst we are pleased that the plans for the larger site have now been dropped we are disappointed that the company still plan to progress with the original development first proposed 5 years ago. Since then, the public’s concerns around single use plastics and views on supporting the environment have strengthened substantially. This original development still has a large footprint of almost 2 acres that will see the removal of many trees and the loss of public accessible green space.

“However, we are encouraged by this new consultation and a commitment to work with us and other key stakeholders to achieve a net biodiversity gain for the site and to create more shared areas. Any replacement for land lost is a must for the local community. We would encourage all those with an interest to attend the planned events and make their views known.”

Water voles thriving in new Nidderdale home

Two hundred water voles released in Nidderdale are thriving in their new habitat, surveys have discovered.

Yorkshire Water released two groups of the endangered animals in 2020 and 2021 at Timble Ings Wood in the Washburn Valley.  

Recent surveys suggest they are settling in well to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with signs of the animals up to 1km away from the original release site.  

Surveys of the area have found burrows, droppings, and signs of feeding, such as piles of nibbled grass. There have also been regular checks for the water vole’s main predator, the American mink, which has not been spotted.  

Philip Tennyson, recreation coordinator at Yorkshire Water said:  

“While this is a successful project, water voles are particularly sensitive to disturbance, and the good work we’ve done so far can easily be lost.  

“We would urge visitors to Timble Ings Woods to stay on the paths and keep dogs on a lead away from the ponds and watercourses to protect the fragile water vole population.” 

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Water voles are classed as an endangered species, and have been identified as one of Britain’s fastest declining mammals.  

They have been named as a priority species for protection in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, and conservation efforts like the one in Nidderdale are crucial in preventing their extinction.  

The project is part of Yorkshire Water’s Water Works for Wildlife initiative, which aims to enhance biodiversity in 15 local wildlife sites.  

Climate change should be top priority for new councillors, says Harrogate group

A environmental campaign group has written to every new county councillor in Harrogate urging them to put the climate crisis at the top of their agendas.

Zero Carbon Harrogate said it wanted to work with the district’s 21 new members of the new North Yorkshire Council on issues including transport and housing to ensure Harrogate becomes “climate ready and resilient”.

It comes after the campaign group helped produce an online showcase of candidates’ views on climate change ahead of the May 5 elections.

Zero Carbon Harrogate’s chair Jemima Parker said:

“We have a strong track record of working collaboratively with councillors from across the political spectrum and hope we will be able to do so in the future.

“We were encouraged that the pre-election survey responses show that all the parties have proactive climate policies, with the differences between them being in the speed and scale of their ambition to move to a low carbon economy.

“Local residents and businesses will see the greatest benefits the faster we can transition away from fossil fuels, as the current energy crisis is demonstrating.”

During the survey, aspiring councillors were quizzed on issues including how the new council should tackle the three biggest sources of greenhouse gas emissions – transport, agriculture and domestic energy.

The responses are still available online at nyclimatecoalition.org.

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As well as areas such as transport and recycling, responsibilities for the new councillors will also include decisions over the extent to which Harrogate’s greenfield sites should be developed for housing – an issue which has generated significant controversy in recent years.

Ms Parker said a first step towards tackling issues like this would be for the new councillors to be trained in carbon literacy in order to raise their awareness of the urgency of climate change.

“Transport is the key area under the current North Yorkshire County Council’s control and developing an integrated low carbon transport plan would be a big step forward.

“From next year, the new North Yorkshire Council will have oversight for planning applications.

“Ensuring best practice for all new developments and refurbishments to reduce energy loss and generate renewable energy will be vital for future homeowners and for lowering energy costs to benefit the local economy.

“There is also an urgent need for our existing homes across the county to be refurbished – or retrofitted – to save energy and reduce people’s energy bills, this work needs to be supported and funded.”

Paddleboarders to pick litter from river in Boroughbridge

Paddleboarders will pick litter on the river in Boroughbridge this weekend as part of a global movement to clean the planet.

North Yorkshire outdoor adventure company Alfresco Adventures is teaming up with the environmental community interest company Planet Patrol to take a small group of volunteers on the River Ure on Saturday.

They will start at the marina and paddleboard to the locks, armed with buckets to put rubbish in.

They will record details of litter collected on the Planet Patrol app at the end of the session.

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Planet Patrol aims to “challenge, inform, and help solve major environmental issues using hard facts”.

Lizzie Carr, its founder, said:

“Planet Patrol’s paddleboarding clean-ups have had a phenomenal response nationwide, including in North Yorkshire, and it’s incredible to see how many people are willing to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in to help the environment.

“The more volunteers that attend events and use Planet Patrol’s app to log the types and brands of litter they find, the more evidence we gather to trace the problem back to the root causes and hold the major polluters accountable.

“Everyone involved, and every piece of litter logged, is valuable.”

This weekend’s free event filled up quickly. However, another litter pick is planned in Boroughbridge on September 17, which is World Clean Up Day.

Details can be found here.

Badgers delay approval of 133 homes at Kingsley Road

Final approval for 133 homes on Kingsley Road in Harrogate has been delayed whilst more badger surveys are undertaken in the area.

Redrow Homes won outline planning permission to build the development on appeal in August 2020 after it was initially refused by Harrogate Borough Council.

As part of the application, the developer submitted two ecology studies that found there were four badger setts in the area but only one or two were still actively used.

A previous ecological study undertaken in 2019 by a different developer found no evidence of badgers.

Members of Kingsley Ward Action Group (KWAG) bought a trail cam, which is a camera that is left outside and captures the movement of animals.

They claim their investigation found evidence of 11 badger setts, six of which are still active.

Badger activity

Badgers and their setts are protected by law.

Developers must have a licence from Natural England to remove or modify a badger sett.

This afternoon, councillors on the council’s planning committee met to discuss a reserved matters application that dealt with the appearance and layout of the homes.

However, the four-legged mammals dominated the debate.

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To the north of the proposed site are train tracks owned by Network Rail.

Dan McAndrew, the council’s principal ecologist, said most of the badger setts are more than 30m away from the site on land owned by the rail body.

Mr McAndrew said he was satisfied the developer had put measures in place to protect the badgers.

He said:

“Badgers actually do well in urban fringe areas, they are able to adapt to those conditions. The key issue is, where are the setts located and can they be maintained?

“The main sett will not be affected and will be left in place.”

However, John Hansard from KWAG said his group’s badger surveys were at odds with the developer’s surveys. He criticised the 2019 survey.

He said:

“If you know what you’re looking for, signs of badger activity were plentiful, clear and unmissable, so why were they missed or ignored?”

‘Somebody has got to speak for the badgers’

Both Sue Lumby, Conservative member for Coppice Valley, and Victoria Oldham, Conservative member for Washburn, cast doubt on the developer’s claims that badgers would not be harmed by the development.

Cllr Lumby said:

“Somebody has got to speak for the badgers and that’s what we are trying to do.

“This population of badgers would have lived here for generations. I’m very, very concerned why the 2019 survey didn’t find any badgers.”

Cllr Oldham added:

“On the assumption you do get licence from Natural England, what mitigation are you prepared to offer for remaining badgers to forage? You are going to put tarmac, concrete where they like to dig for worms, for setts. What are you offering? What wildlife enhancement will there be on this estate?”

In response, Mike Ashworth, on behalf of Redrow Homes, said

“A significant area of site will be undeveloped and landscaped, 30% of the site, a lot more than a normal housing estate. In there you’d have a combination of planting of trees, wildflower, shrubs.”

An unimpressed Cllr Oldham responded:

“Badgers don’t eat pretty flowers, they like to eat worms.”

Further surveys

Mr Ashworth revealed the developer received permission from Network Rail last week to survey the land above the site for badgers.

After councillors rejected the council’s recommendation to approve the scheme, committee chair Cllr John Mann proposed deferment pending the publication of the badger survey, which councillors agreed to unanimously.

64 homes at former Knaresborough factory set for approval

A 64-home development on the site of a former factory in Knaresborough has been recommended for approval.

Developer Countryside Properties has earmarked the former Trelleborg factory on Halfpenny Lane for the houses.

The site is not allocated for housing in Harrogate Borough Council’s Local Plan, which describes where development can take place. But it is included on the council’s Brownfield Land Register, which identifies locations considered to be appropriate for redevelopment for residential use.

The original proposal was for 77 dwellings. However, a group of mature trees on the site recently received tree preservation orders, which prompted the developer to reduce the number of homes. Twenty of them would be classed as ‘affordable’.

The site has been empty since 2016.

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The application faced an objection from Knaresborough Town Council, which said

“These houses are not needed, as sufficient house building is allocated elsewhere in the Local Plan and is being delivered.”

Network Rail also raised concerns about how close the homes will be to an operational railway crossing.

However, council officer Graham Smith backed the scheme, saying it would bring a derelict site back into use whilst boosting housing in the town.

He said:

“The proposal would contribute towards ensuring the district’s housing needs are met, including the provision of 20 affordable dwellings as well as properties that are designed to be accessible and adaptable.”

Councillors on Harrogate Borough Council‘s planning committee will consider the plans next Tuesday.

‘Devastating news’ as 500 trees to be chopped down in Nidd Gorge

Five hundred larch trees will be felled in Nidd Gorge due to a disease that is ripping through the woodland.

The Woodland Trust, which owns Nidd Gorge, says the infectious disease is called phytophthora ramorum and is already having a devastating impact on native trees.

Government body Forestry England has given the trust permission to fell the trees before it spreads further.

It means some of the footpaths in the popular beauty spot will close this spring and summer whilst work takes place.

Paul Bunton, community engagement officer at the trust, said:

“It is devastating news for our site team and visitors that we are having to reluctantly fell these diseased trees at Nidd Gorge to protect others. Phytophthora ramorum, while of no risk to the public, is one of the biggest threats to our native tree species at the site.

“Nidd Gorge is and will remain a really popular and cherished woodland close to Harrogate and Knaresborough and we ask the public to bear with us while we carry out the work.

“Our community events are a great opportunity for people to find out more before the work starts,  especially those who visit the woodland on a regular basis.”

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Keith Wilkinson, chair of Bilton Conservation Group, described what happens to larch trees once they become infected with the disease.

“It’s not a mould or a fungus but it is between the two and it attacks the larch. The needles start dying. It takes a while to kill the tree, but once it’s got it, it’s doomed.”

The Woodland Trust is holding two drop-in sessions in Bilton where members of the public can find out more about the works and ask questions to staff.

These will be held tomorrow (Thursday) at Bilton Community Centre between 6pm and 9pm and on Nidderdale Greenway off Bilton Lane on Saturday between 10am and 4pm.

Harrogate Spring Water litter pick campaign highlights children’s concern for the planet

It is the youth of today who often get stereotyped as caring more about scrolling social media than taking action to save the planet.

Just last year there was huge anger towards youngsters who partied on the Stray in Harrogate, leaving council workers and volunteers to clean up.

However, it appears that this view couldn’t be further from the truth.

‘Littering most harmful for the environment’

A survey commissioned by Harrogate Spring Water as part of a successful environmental campaign launched by the company last month revealed that children and young people see littering as the individual act which most harms the environment.

The poll of more than 1,000 children, aged between nine and 16, found that 92 per cent of youngsters rated the environment as important to them – well ahead of the 47 per cent who rated their social media profiles as important.

And over three quarters of children admitted that they were worried about the environment, with littering seen as the worst environmental offence and children saying that adults should lead by example in teaching them how to protect the planet.

Valley Gardens

So as part of Harrogate Spring Water’s ‘Lunchtime Litter Pick’ campaign, I took my two boys, Noah and Luca, to the Valley Gardens to pick up some rubbish and ask them about their views on the issue.

It certainly might not be the first activity you think of when it comes to family time, but the kids, who are aged three and eight, were genuinely quite excited when I told them what we were up to.

We had some spare time after school, and thanks to the lighter evenings, we headed out with our high vis vests, gloves – make sure your children wear thick ones – and bin bags and got to work.

Within an hour we had filled one bin bag, which was surprising, as you certainly don’t realise just how much there is strewn about.

The boys had a whale of a time running around in the fresh air, excitedly shouting when they spotted a piece of litter.

And admittedly it felt really good to be doing our bit, even in a small way. Small steps can make big changes as we all know.

Litter picking adventure

When we got home, we had a chat about our litter picking adventure.

Noah said:

“There were lots of cans in the park and when we were coming back home I saw lots of plastic bags that had blown into trees.

“It’s bad that people drop litter because animals might get stuck and they might suffocate. It’s not good for the planet. They should put it in the bin.

“I really enjoyed litter picking because I like to help save the world. More people should pick it up because then there would be less rubbish. I’m going to keep doing it.”

Luca said everyone should help pick up rubbish, and when asked what he would do if he saw someone dropping it, he said:

“I will tell the police officers and the bin lorry men, because then they will come and pick it up in their truck.”

Campaign

The campaign, which was launched in support of environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean 2022, has seen dozens of families and companies in the area join in and help Keep Yorkshire Tidy this Spring – for the environment and their wellbeing.

Harrogate Spring Water led the charge to clear the region’s streets, paths and public spaces of litter through their campaign, offering local businesses free litter picking kits to encourage staff to take a break in the fresh air, while doing something positive within their community.

The company enlisted the help of actress Natalie Anderson, Harrogate Town FC and its own workforce in its bid to encourage families, community groups and residents to play their part.

Natalie Anderson, known for her starring roles in Emmerdale and Hollyoaks, also took part in a litter pick in Harrogate as part of the campaign.

She said:

“Litter picking is one of the easiest ways we can all take care of our community and the beautiful Yorkshire countryside.

“I know from conversations with my son how important the environment is to the younger generation, and getting involved in this campaign is a great way for parents to lead by example in protecting the planet.”

Positive action

The company is also encouraging people to join Harrogate Borough Council’s series of organised anti-litter drives as they look to make the area an even better place to live by clearing up litter and encouraging people to recycle more.

The campaign was launched in the wake of the research commissioned by Harrogate Spring Water and carried out by iconic children’s comic The Beano.

The company hopes that by joining in the litter picking drive, families can take positive action on the environment and the next generation can learn more about how they can play their part in keeping waste out of nature and in the recycling stream.

‘Proud to call Harrogate home’

James Cain OBE, managing director at Harrogate Spring Water, said:

“We are proud to call Harrogate home. By coming together as a community to keep our historic town looking beautiful, we have taken positive action for the present as well as honouring Harrogate’s commitment for future generations.

“We’re passionate about preventing littering, but also about ensuring as much can be recycled as possible.

“Whether it’s recycling and reusing wherever possible or taking a break in the fresh air to tidy up our streets and green spaces, we’re continuing to work together to keep Harrogate beautiful and litter-free.”

To find out more about the campaign and to play your part, head to http://www.harrogatespring.com/lunchtimelitterpick

Bettys and Taylors win Queen’s Award for Enterprise

Bettys and Taylors have won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development.

The business, based in Harrogate, is best known for its Yorkshire Tea and Bettys tearooms has a global tea and coffee supply chain which works in partnership with more than one million farmers and workers in 22 countries.

The award recognised the company’s work to integrate sustainability and collaboration with suppliers, partners, and the wider industry, to address social and environmental challenges within the industry.

Amongst these were projects in developing countries to install clean water systems; support tree planting partnerships; improve living and working conditions of workers, and to provide training to women in business management, entrepreneurial, literacy and financial skills.

Three children, Kenya, planting trees

Planting trees in Kenya Credit: Bettys and Taylors

Keith Writer, Supply Director at Taylors, said:

“Over the last five years, we’ve relentlessly focused on securing quality tea and coffee in partnership with our suppliers on the social and environmental issues they face, alongside addressing the systemic challenges across the tea and coffee supply chain through industry initiatives.

“We acknowledge there is always more to do, however we are honoured to be recognised for our ongoing efforts.”

The Queen’s Awards are presented in four categories and are decided each year by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister and her panel of judges. The winners are announced on the Queen’s birthday, and are valid for five years.

B&T also received a Queen’s Award in 2001, 2007, and 2017 for its commitment to sustainability.

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