Northern Energy has started construction on new headquarters in the Harrogate district.
The company is currently based in Hampsthwaite, where it has operated for more than half a century.
The firm distributes domestic, commercial and agricultural oil and liquified petroleum gas across the north of England.
However, Northern Energy is set to relocate operations to Limebar Lane, one kilometre from the village of Marton-cum-Grafton and next to the A168.
The plans include 10,000 square feet of office space, a vehicle depot, liquified petroleum gas and oil storage tanks and a new car park.
James Illingworth, director of sales at Northern Energy, told the Stray Ferret:
“The site that we are currently at [in Hampsthwaite], we have been there since the 1950s. We have basically run out of space and it is not fit for purpose anymore.
“The gas storage is what we really need to take our business to the next level and we can’t put it there. That was the main driver for moving sites.”
The move to build the new base comes after Harrogate Borough Council gave planning permission for the site in February 2021.
The company said the new headquarters will provide better access to the motorway and reduce journey times for distribution.
Work being carried out on the new Northern Energy site.
Construction at the site is being carried out by Harrogate company HACS and is being built in two phases.
The first phase, which includes the gas storage site, is expected to be complete by March 2024.
Look for a more in-depth article on Northern Energy’s move to Marton-cum-Grafton on the Stray Ferret this weekend.
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Council approves Northern Energy plan to move from Hampsthwaite
Harrogate Borough Council has approved plans for Northern Energy to relocate to Marton-cum-Grafton.
The company is currently based In Hampsthwaite and has had its headquarters in the village for more than half a century.
However, officials at Northern Energy tabled a proposal to the council in February 2021 to move to Limebar Lane, one kilometre from the village of Marton-cum-Grafton and next to the A168.
The plans include 10,000 square feet of office space, a vehicle depot, LPG and oil storage tanks and a new car park.
In documents submitted to the council, the company said it had outgrown its current site.
“Such is the success of the business, the company have now outgrown their current premises on the edge of Hampsthwaite.
“Indeed, the location of the facility, some distance from the local highway network, and the absence of oil and fuel storage capacity on site is now beginning to hinder the business.”
The proposed Northern Energy site off the A168 as submitted to Harrogate Borough Council in planning documents.
The firm, which has an annual turnover of £27 million, supplies more than 50 million litres of oil and liquid petroleum gas across the UK each year.
However, the proposals were met with strong objections from local parish councils.
Both authorities said the development is inappropriate and would have “unacceptable consequences”, such as loss of agricultural land, increase in traffic and the proximity of the site to local residents.
Arkendale, Coneythorpe and Clareton Parish Council wrote to the council to object in “the strongest terms”.
It said:
“The other consequence is of course that valuable agricultural land will be lost.
“Such land is increasingly being lost to development and for us to be as sustainable as a nation we need to preserve our agricultural capacity rather than rely on importing foodstuffs from abroad.”
Meanwhile, Marton-cum-Grafton added in its response that the development was “not of exceptional quality” and “does not enhance its immediate setting nor is it sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area”.
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Man arrested after intruder breaks into Harrogate district house
A man has been arrested following two burglaries in a village near Boroughbridge
North Yorkshire Police said they responded to a report of a man breaking into a house in Marton-cum-Grafton in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The suspect broke into the house while the owner was asleep, but later fled after the occupant woke up and startled them.
The man was later arrested after officers found them in a hedgerow nearby.
Later, police received reports of garden tools being stolen from a property nearby.
A man in his 40s from Barnsley was arrested on suspicion of burglary. Enquiries are ongoing for both incidents.
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£1.2bn Allerton Park incinerator recycling rate worsens
The £1.2 billion Allerton Park waste recovery plant continues to be dogged by mixed performance more than four years after being launched.
The waste recovery plant and incinerator between Knaresborough and Boroughbridge takes 220,000 tonnes of waste collected by councils in York and North Yorkshire and 50,000 tonnes of business waste annually,
A performance report has revealed it is significantly exceeding its target for diverting waste from landfill, achieving almost 90%.
However, it is recycling and composting just over one per cent of the waste, against a target of 5%.
North Yorkshire and City of York councils awarded a contract to private company AmeyCespa to create the facility in 2014 following a high-profile battle with residents of villages surrounding the plant, such as Marton-cum-Grafton.
Last year councillors raised concerns over the plant’s recycling performance after it emerged it had never met its recycling targets, leading the councils to levy £653,000 in performance deductions for the first three years of its operations.
An officer’s report to a meeting of the county council’s transport, economy and environment scrutiny committee next Thursday shows the plant’s recycling performance has marginally worsened during the last year.
The report states issues with the mechanical treatment equipment meant sometimes the plant had to be run in by-pass mode, which meant recyclates were not extracted.
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The report states following maintenance works this year the mechanical treatment performance has significantly improved, with Amey forecasting recycling performance to rise to almost half the targeted proportion.
However, the amount of unplanned downtime at the energy from waste plant significantly improved this year, falling from 61 days to 29, which allowed more waste to be processed.
The report states the latest figures show the best year to date for landfill diversion and energy from waste.
The report concludes further opportunities are being explored with the councils, Amey and Yorwaste seek “to optimise the types of waste delivered to the plant” to secure continued performance improvements.
The county council’s executive member for open to business, Conservative councillor Derek Bastiman, said while the recycling target remained well below what was wanted, the lack of improvement this year had been largely due to unforeseen mechanical issues.
He said the energy from waste scheme had proven to be a good investment by the councils.
Ouseburn division Green Party councillor Arnold Wareneken said any profits from the scheme should be used to increase recycling rates.
He said:
Harrogate firefighters battle extreme heat as five fields go up in flames“We need to recycle the money as well – it just needs a bit more investment. The problem I see is we are not collecting food waste separately or enough food waste from industry.
“All local authorities are meant to be collecting food waste.
“We have got to make it more easier for people to put compostable waste in wheelie bins.”
Harrogate firefighters dealt with five field fires on the hottest day of the year today.
On a day when North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident due to the number of call-outs, the crew at Harrogate attended three major fires.
At first they were called to a blaze near Forest Lane in Harrogate at about 1pm where an area of woodland measuring 20m x 20m had caught fire. Harrogate fire station put on Facebook:
“We believe a discarded cigarette, or strong sunlight shining through a broken glass bottle may have caused the fire.”
After extinguishing the fire, one of the Harrogate appliances was sent to a standing crop on fire in a field near Marton cum Grafton, between Boroughbridge and Knaresborough.
The fire station said on Facebook:
“Due to the extremely dry conditions the fire caught hold of four fields very quickly. The wind direction kept changing making the condition challenging.
“Fire crews also came to help from Knaresborough fire station, Ripon, Acom, and the water bowser from Tadcaster.
“Crews worked hard in the extreme heat (nearly 40 degrees!) to extinguish the fire using hosereel jets, main branches and beaters.
“Thanks also goes to the farmers for helping out and putting a fire break in the crop.”
While this was going on, the second Harrogate fire engine was called to a field on fire near Northallerton.
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“As you can imagine, the ground is tinder-dry at the moment making it easy for fire to spread quickly.
“So please do be careful if you are out and about. Make sure you discard cigarettes carefully and avoid having barbecues.”
The temperatures have risen across the Harrogate district this week and that summer feeling has well and truly kicked in.
And what better time than to enjoy some of the stunning flora and fauna that our area has to offer.
There are lots of gorgeous gardens to explore over the next few months as part of the National Garden Scheme.
The initiative gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens in the UK and raises impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities. The scheme also promotes the physical and mental health benefits of gardens.
We have put together a list of the participating gardens in our district from now until August:
Birstwith Hall, Birstwith
When: Sunday, June 19, 2pm-5pm
Admission: Adults £5, children go free
About: A charming and varied four-acre garden nestling in a secluded Yorkshire dale.
A formal garden and ornamental orchard, as well as extensive lawns leading to a picturesque stream and a large pond. There is also a walled garden and Victorian greenhouse.
The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Yorke House and White Rose Cottage, Dacre Banks
When: Sunday, June 26, 11am-5pm
Admission: Adults £5, children go free
About: An award-winning English country garden in the heart of Nidderdale.
A series of distinct areas flowing through two acres of ornamental garden. There are also colour-themed borders, as well as a natural pond and stream with delightful waterside plantings. Secluded seating areas and attractive views.
The adjacent cottage has a recently developed garden designed for wheelchair access. There is a large collection of hostas and an orchard picnic area.
The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Prospect House, Burton Leonard
When: Friday, June 24, 1-.30am-2pm
Admission: Adults £35, children go free
Booking: A limited number of tickets have been made available for this special event. Tickets must be booked in advance here
About: Following a welcome by the owner, there will be talks on the development of the garden, the creation of a cutting garden and colour-themed borders plus demonstration of cut flower arrangements in the potting shed. Buffet lunch included.
Prospect House features a one-acre walled, landscaped garden with ornamental pond, pergola, large oval lawned area, cutting and vegetable beds.
There is a colour-themed herbaceous long border, ‘hot’ borders, and a physic bed. There is also mature hedging, trees and seasonal interest throughout. Additional new planting areas are being established.
A renovated outhouse has been converted into a potting area used for garden workshops.
The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Cobble Cottage, Whixley
When: Sunday, July 3,11pm-5pm
Admission: Adults £4, children go free
About: An imaginatively designed, constantly changing, small cottage garden full of decorative architectural plants and old family favourites.
There is an Interesting water garden, containers and use of natural materials. It also features a black and white courtyard garden and Japanese-style garden with growing willow screen.
The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Group openings – gardens that open on the same day
Grafton gardens, Marton-cum-Grafton
Well House.
When: Sunday, July 3,11am-5pm
Admission: Adults £6, children go free
About: These two gardens in adjacent rural villages are also connected by a public footpath.
Paddock House is on an elevated site with extensive views down a large sloping lawn to a wildlife pond. A plant lover’s garden where the house is encircled by a profusion of pots and extensive plant collections combining cottage gardening with the Mediterranean and Tropical. A curved terrace of Yorkshire stone and steps using gravel and wood sleepers leads to many seating areas culminating in a cutting garden and small greenhouse.
Well House, in Grafton, nestles under the hillside, with long views to the White Horse. This one-and-a-half acre garden was begun 40 years ago and is constantly changing. A traditional English cottage garden with herbaceous borders, climbing roses and ornamental shrubs with a variety of interesting species. Paths meander through the borders to an orchard with ducks. Refreshments are available at The Punch Bowl pub, a five-minute walk from Well House.
Dacre Banks and Summerbridge Gardens
Woodlands Cottage.
When: Sunday, July 10,12pm-5pm
Admission: Adults £10, children go free
About: Dacre Banks and Summerbridge Gardens are situated in the beautiful countryside of Nidderdale and designed to take advantage of the scenic Dales landscape.
The gardens are linked by attractive walks along the valley, but each may be accessed individually by car.
Low Hall has a romantic walled garden set on different levels around the historic C17 family home (not open) with herbaceous borders, shrubs, climbing roses and a tranquil water garden. The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Riverside House is an atmospheric waterside garden on many levels, supporting shade-loving plants and features a Victorian folly, fernery, courtyard and naturalistic riverside plantings. The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Woodlands Cottage is a garden of many rooms, with exquisite formal and informal plantings, and an attractive wildflower meadow which harmonises with mature woodland. The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
Yorke House has extensive colour-themed borders and water features with beautiful waterside plantings. The newly developed garden at White Rose Cottage is specifically designed for wheelchair users. The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
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The Priory, Nun Monkton
When: Thursday, July 7,11pm-5pm
Admission: Adults £6, children go free
About: A large country garden surrounding William and Mary house (not open), at the confluence of the River Nidd and River Ouse.
It features species trees, calm swathes of lawn, clipped yew, beech and box, formal rose garden and mixed borders.
There is a new area of soft perennial planting and informal parkland. There area also kitchen gardens with a greenhouse and swimming pool where teas will be served.
The Nun Monkton Ferryboat will be running a special service on this day, connecting Nun Monkton with Beningbrough and Moor Monkton, from the riverbank next to The Priory.
Markenfield Hall, Ripon
When: Tuesday, July 12, 2pm-3pm
Admission: Adults £5, children go free
Booking: By guided tour only (max 10 people). Tickets must be booked in advance here
About: The work of the hall’s owner Lady Deirdre Curteis and gardener Giles Gilbey.
Mature planting combines with newly designed areas, where walls with espaliered apricots and figs frame a mix of hardy perennials.
In 2018 the farmhouse border was replanted to eventually blend seamlessly with the hall’s main east border.
Goldsborough Hall, Goldsborough
When: Sunday, July 24, 11pm-5pm
Admission: Adults £5, children go free
About: An historic 12-acre garden and formal landscaped grounds in parkland setting around Grade II*, 17th-century house, which was the former residence of HRH Princess Mary, daughter of George V and Queen Mary.
Goldsborough Hall boasts Gertrude Jekyll inspired 120ft double herbaceous borders, a rose garden and a woodland walk.
There is a large restored kitchen garden and glasshouse which produces fruit and vegetables for the hall’s commercial kitchens.
Greencroft, Littlethorpe, Ripon
When: Sunday, August 7, 12pm-4pm
Admission: Adults £5, children go free
About: A half-acre informal country garden created by the owners. It features long herbaceous borders packed with colourful late summer perennials, annuals and exotics culminating in a circular garden with views through to large wildlife pond and surrounding countryside.
Special ornamental features include a gazebo, temple pavilions, formal pool, stone wall with mullions and gate to pergola and cascade water feature.
The gardens can also be visited by arrangement.
64 sheep worth tens of thousands of pounds stolen in Harrogate districtPolice are appealing for witnesses after 64 sheep were stolen from a field near Boroughbridge.
Forty-eight ewes in lamb and 16 hoggs were taken from land off the A168 at Marton-cum-Grafton.
It happened between 5pm on April 27 and 7am the following day.
A statement by North Yorkshire Police today said the sheep were worth a total value of tens of thousands of pounds. It added:
“They were stolen from a field on Legram Lane. It is believed a wagon would have been used to take the sheep.
“Officers are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
“In particular, they are appealing for information about any wagons in the vicinity in the early hours of 28 April, or anything else that may assist with the investigation.”
Of the 48 ewes, 39 are Beltex and 9 are Bleu du Maine. The 16 hoggs were all young Beltex sheep aged 9-18 months.
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Anyone with information can contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Chloe Kinnear. You can also email chloe.kinnear@northyorkshire.police.uk
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12220071650.
Harrogate farm shop to stage art exhibitionMackenzies in Blubberhouses to host art exhibition
Yorkshire artist Lynda Logan and her husband Terry are to display their work at Mackenzies Farm Shop in Blubberhouses to raise money for charity.
Ms Logan, who has a studio near Harrogate, was one of the original Calendar Girls in the 2003 film. She played a model and her husband was a photographer.
Their exhibition, which begins on April 9, will donate 10% of all sales to Blood Cancer UK.
Blood cancer is the fifth most common cancer in adults and the most common in children.
Paul Palmer, the owner of Mackenzies, said:
“We’re delighted to have Lynda and Terry exhibiting with us in the gallery. Their previous work for charity has been exceptional and we’re excited to help raise even more.”
Events company brings food festival to Pateley Bridge
A previous event hosted by Lily and Lister.
The first Yorkshire Feastival will take place at Pateley Bridge on June 25 and 26.
The event is primarily a food and drink festival but also has an inflatable village, fun fair and a mini farm.
The event will host multiple small business owners, artists and entrepreneurs from Yorkshire. The event is organised by Lily and Lister Events.
Anna Lister, from Lily and Lister, said:
“With so many amazing producers, food, drink and artists from Yorkshire we wanted to create an event celebrating the best of what Yorkshire has to offer and in exceptional countryside in the heart of Yorkshire.
“It’s a great opportunity to come and support local businesses whilst having an amazing day out.”
Two Harrogate restaurants launch charity menu and easter egg hunt
Provenance Inns & Hotels Group is launching a charity menu and a large easter egg hunt across all its seven venues.
The venues include the West Park Hotel in Harrogate and The Punch Bowl in Marton-Cum-Grafton. Dozens of eggs will be hidden in and around each venue and customers will attempt to find them using clues posted on Facebook.
Anyone who finds one of the chocolate treats can enjoy a free drink at their local Provenance bar.
The Inns group has also launched a new menu.
Tom Patrick, head of marketing at Provenance, said:
“Our Easter egg hunt is going to be quite epic, with not one but seven of Yorkshire’s finest pubs taking part.”
£1 from each Chicken Kyiv dish sold at Provenance venues will go to the Red Cross Ukraine crisis appeal.
Strong objections to Northern Energy plan to move from Hampsthwaite
Residents and parish councils have lodged strong objections to plans for a major oil and gas company to relocate to Marton-cum-Grafton.
Northern Energy is currently based In Hampsthwaite and has had its headquarters in the village for more than half a century.
However, the company tabled proposals to Harrogate Borough Council in February to move to Limebar Lane, one kilometre from the village of Marton-cum-Grafton and next to the A168.
The firm, which has an annual turnover of £27 million, supplies more than 50 million litres of oil and liquid petroleum gas across the UK each year.
But two parish councils have written to the council to object to the plans.
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They say the development is inappropriate and would have “unacceptable consequences”, such as loss of agricultural land, increase in traffic and the proximity of the site to local residents.
Arkendale, Coneythorpe and Clareton Parish Council wrote to the council to object in “the strongest terms”.
It said:
“The other consequence is of course that valuable agricultural land will be lost.
“Such land is increasingly being lost to development and for us to be as sustainable as a nation we need to preserve our agricultural capacity rather than rely on importing foodstuffs from abroad.”
Meanwhile, Marton-cum-Grafton added in its response that the development was “not of exceptional quality” and “does not enhance its immediate setting nor is it sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area”.
The application has so far attracted 33 comments to the council, with 32 of those objecting and just one in support.
Council officials will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.
Company has “outgrown” its site
However, Northern Energy has said it has outgrown its current site and needs to move.
The plans include 10,000 square feet of office space, a vehicle depot, LPG and oil storage tanks and a new car park.
The site would accommodate 30 office staff and 20 operations staff.
The proposed Northern Energy site off the A168 as submitted to Harrogate Borough Council in planning documents.
In documents submitted to the council, the company said the current location was “beginning to hinder business”.
It said:
““Such is the success of the business, the company have now outgrown their current premises on the edge of Hampsthwaite.
“Indeed, the location of the facility, some distance from the local highway network, and the absence of oil and fuel storage capacity on site is now beginning to hinder the business.”
Northern Energy is currently consulting on its plans to relocate. Residents can have their say on the plans here.
Northern Energy submits plans to move from HampsthwaiteNorthern Energy has submitted plans to relocate its headquarters from Hampsthwaite to near Marton-cum-Grafton.
The company, which has an annual turnover of £27 million, has been based at its Hampsthwaite headquarters for over half a century.
It supplies more than 50 million litres of oil and liquid petroleum gas across the UK each year.
However, planning documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council say the business has outgrown its current site:
“Such is the success of the business, the company have now outgrown their current premises on the edge of Hampsthwaite.
“Indeed, the location of the facility, some distance from the local highway network, and the absence of oil and fuel storage capacity on site is now beginning to hinder the business.”
The company wants to build its new headquarters on Limebar Lane, one kilometre from the village of Marton-cum-Grafton.
The plans include 10,000 square feet of office space, a vehicle depot, LPG and oil storage tanks and a new car park.
The site would accommodate 30 office staff and 20 operations staff.
Established in 1932 by Ralph Robinson, the grandfather of current chairman, Howard Illingworth, the company originally began collecting milk from farmers and supplying coal to local people.
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