NYC Press Coverage (Nov.’23)

North Yorkshire Council media summary w/c November 6, 2023

Martin Feekins, Senior Press and Publications Officer at North Yorkshire Council, has provided Councillors and Officers with a comprehensive summary of press articles during the week commencing Monday 6th November 2023 – presumably to fore-arm them against public backlash against the Council for some of its incomprehensible actions.

It is difficult to believe that many Councillors will avail themsleves of this wonderful opportunity.

MONDAY 6th November 2023

Yorkshire Post

Monday

• P9 – An 11-bed town centre house of multi occupancy (HMO) has been approved, despite concerns that the property could have been converted into family homes. North Yorkshire Council has approved the conversion of a vacant shop unit and its upper floors into an 11-bed HMO. The application for the four-storey building at 20/20A Victoria Road, in Scarborough, was submitted by West Park Property Developments Ltd.

Saturday

• P1 – The region’s official tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire owed more than £3m to creditors at the time of its collapse – 75 per cent more than originally estimated, liquidators have revealed. A ‘Statement of Affairs’ document published on Companies House in April 2022 revealed at that stage that Welcome to Yorkshire had £2.1m of identified debts to 67 different creditors include £1.3m to North Yorkshire County Council in regard to the North Yorkshire Pension Fund it administers.
• P5 – Plans to construct a 35m (114ft) communications tower near Masham to boost 4G coverage in rural areas has been recommended for refusal ahead of a meeting next week. Councillors on Skipton & Ripon’s planning committee will meet on Tuesday to consider an application from mobile infrastructure provider Cornerstone to build the tower in Ox Close Plantation, Healey.

• Yorkshire Post is accessible free via the library service. Info at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/download-e-books-e-magazines-and-digital-audiobooks

Harrogate Informer

• The first foster carers to receive £500 golden hellos have spoken of their pride at joining the ranks of those offering support to children who are often the most in need. From press release. Newly approved foster carers receive £500 ‘golden hello’ | Harrogate Informer (harrogate-news.co.uk)
• A Scout troop is among the organisations and individuals to benefit from the latest round of grants in the Starbeck area of Harrogate. Quoting Cllr Pat Marsh. From press release. Scouts celebrate as 2023 Starbeck Grants Fund awards made | Harrogate Informer (harrogate-news.co.uk)
• Six candidates will contest the by-election in North Yorkshire later this month. From press release. Nominations for North Yorkshire Sowerby and Topcliffe division seat by-election have closed | Harrogate Informer (harrogate-news.co.uk)

Yorkshire Live

• An 11-bed town centre HMO has been approved despite concerns that the property could have been converted into “more needed family homes”. From NYC report. Yorkshire seaside shop to be turned into 11-bed HMO despite outcry – YorkshireLive (examinerlive.co.uk)

Darlington and Stockton Times

• A by-election for the Sowerby and Topcliffe division of North Yorkshire Council has been called for Thursday, November 30. From press release. Sowerby and Topcliffe by-election at North Yorkshire Council | Darlington and Stockton Times
• North Yorkshire Council says it wants to improve waiting times for autism assessments after being told by parents that delays of more than three months are harming the mental health of children. From NYC report. Children in North Yorkshire waiting for autism assessments | Darlington and Stockton Times

Stray Ferret

• North Yorkshire Council says it wants to improve waiting times for autism assessments after being told by parents that delays of more than three months are harming the mental health of children. Children in North Yorkshire waiting ‘too long’ for autism assessments – The Stray Ferret

Craven Herald

• Plans to site four holiday lodges on land off Rarber Top Lane, Ingleton, have been given the go-ahead by North Yorkshire Council. Approved holiday lodges will ‘support rural economy’ | Craven Herald

BBC York and North Yorkshire

• A housing developer will pay more than £1m towards local schools after North Yorkshire Council gave final approval for a 162-home estate. The Persimmon Homes development on Kingsley Drive in Harrogate was previously approved subject to a section 106 agreement being agreed. Cash for Harrogate schools as part of new homes deal – BBC News
• Plans to build a new asphalt plant in North Yorkshire have been opposed by campaigners. The facility, to be built alongside the A1(M) at Allerton Waste Recovery Park, would make materials to repair roads. North Yorkshire campaigners object to plan for asphalt plant – BBC News

The Scarborough News

• IN PICTURES: 15 photos as work begins to demolish fire and storm damaged hotel in Scarborough https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/people/in-pictures-15-photos-as-work-begins-to-demolish-fire-and-storm-damaged-hotel-in-scarborough-4396538

TUESDAY 7th November 2023

Yorkshire Post

• P7 – A plan to build more fast food restaurants and another petrol station beside a motorway junction believed to be among the North’s most congested has been recommended for approval with no measures to mitigate the development’s impact on the interchange. While calls are mounting for a moratorium on a string of development proposals at the A1(M) and A66 Scotch Corner junction, North Yorkshire councillors will hear highways bosses are confident that the interchange has sufficient capacity to accommodate the development.
• P8 – North Yorkshire Council says it wants to improve waiting times for autism assessments after being told by parents that delays of more than three months are harming the mental health of children. The council is set to ask the public for views on its draft autism strategy for 2024-2027 that has an aim of helping autistic children, young people and adults to live full, happy, and healthy lives.
• P9 – Harrogate BID (Business Improvement District) says it is backing North Yorkshire Council’s plans for a vastly reduced Harrogate Station Gateway scheme. The original plans included a single-lane Station Parade to build cycle lanes, part-pedestrianising James Street and overhauling Station Square. However, Coun Keane Duncan, Conservative executive member for transport at North Yorkshire Council, issued a press statement last week that said the scheme’s most controversial aspects, such as the proposals for Station Parade and James Street, would need to be dropped for it to move forward.

• Yorkshire Post is accessible free via the library service. Info at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/download-e-books-e-magazines-and-digital-audiobooks

Your Harrogate

• Harrogate BID (Business Improvement District) says it is backing North Yorkshire Council’s plans for a vastly reduced Harrogate Station Gateway scheme. The original plans included a single-lane Station Parade to build cycle lanes, part-pedestrianising James Street and overhauling Station Square. https://yourharrogate.co.uk/news/harrogate-bid-backs-reduced-station-gateway/
• Persimmon Homes will pay more than £1m to local schools including Grove Road and Harrogate Grammar School after North Yorkshire Council gave final approval for the 162-home Kingsley Drive development. One of the last acts of Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee in February was to approve the controversial plans, subject to the completion of a section 106 agreement. https://yourharrogate.co.uk/news/162-home-kingsley-drive-developer-to-pay-1m-towards-local-schools/

Darlington and Stockton Times

• A plan to build more fast food restaurants and another petrol station beside a motorway junction believed to be among the North’s most congested has been recommended for approval with no measures to mitigate the development’s impact on the interchange. While calls are mounting for a moratorium on a string of development proposals at the A1(M) and A66 Scotch Corner junction, North Yorkshire councillors will hear highways bosses are confident the interchange has sufficient capacity to accommodate the development. https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/23905149.scotch-corner-development-proposal-wins-planners-support/ (also in Richmondshire Today https://www.richmondshiretoday.co.uk/scotch-corner-development-proposal-wins-planners-support/)

Craven Herald

• The temporary five-week closure of the A59 at Kex Gill is due to come to an end on Friday (November 10) – bringing much relief to motorists using the busy Skipton to Harrogate route. https://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/23905338.a59-kex-gill-road-closure-track-end-friday/

BBC York and North Yorkshire

• A pitch and putt golf course in a landmark Harrogate park could be replaced with a “pump track” for bikes. The track at the Grade II-listed Valley Gardens would be a circular loop with slopes and bumps for BMX riders and others, North Yorkshire council said. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-67334915
• A housing developer will pay more than £1m towards local schools after North Yorkshire Council gave final approval for a 162-home estate. The Persimmon Homes development on Kingsley Drive in Harrogate was previously approved subject to a section 106 agreement being agreed. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-67311956

The Scarborough News

• Council recommends U-turn on 100-bed East Ayton care home, near Scarborough, after rejection of plans in March. https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/politics/council/council-recommends-u-turn-on-100-bed-east-ayton-care-home-near-scarborough-after-rejection-of-plans-in-march-4399819
  

Stray Ferret

•  Further details of the proposed new bike track in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens have been revealed. Valley Gardens bike track — further details revealed – The Stray Ferret
• High Bridge in Knaresborough will be closed to nighttime traffic for the next 11 days from this evening due to resurfacing. Knaresborough bridge to close tonight for nighttime resurfacing – The Stray Ferret

Gazette and Herald

• The UK’s Minister responsible for libraries was welcomed as a guest speaker at a North Yorkshire library to speak about the Government’s commitment to invest in the far-reaching network. From press release. Libraries Minister visits newly refurbished Scarborough Library | Gazette & Herald (gazetteherald.co.uk)

York Press

• The UK’s Minister responsible for libraries was welcomed as a guest speaker at a North Yorkshire library to speak about the Government’s commitment to invest in the far-reaching network. From press release. Libraries Minister visits newly refurbished Scarborough Library | York Press
• The number of adults with substance abuse problems is increasing in North Yorkshire, according to a report. It comes as North Yorkshire Council is set to extend the contract for its specialist drug and alcohol support service North Yorkshire Horizons for another five years. More need drugs support in North Yorkshire, says report | York Press

Selby Times

• P4 – Plans for a new residential development in a North Yorkshire village have been submitted to NYC for review. Regional housebuilder Banks Homes is looking to develop a site to the east of Gateforth Lane in Hambleton.
• P8 – Parents and carers in the Selby area have been urged to keep young people safe from a vape version of the potentially harmful drug known as spice. Quotes public health consultant Gill Kelly.
• P14 – NYC’s network of libraries has received a prestigious award for providing a safe space for sanctuary seekers and refugees. From press release.

WEDNESDAY 8th November 2023

Yorkshire Post

• P2 – North Yorkshire Council has approved plans by Harrogate Racquets Club to resurface its tennis courts and install new LED floodlights.

• Yorkshire Post is accessible free via the library service. Info at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/download-e-books-e-magazines-and-digital-audiobooks

BBC York and North Yorkshire

• A consultation will open later this month on plans for a new council strategy to help people with autism. North Yorkshire Council said its draft All-Age Autism Strategy had been developed with input from those with the condition. (Cllr Michael Harrison quoted). https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-67347637
• A leisure centre is planning to build 14 holiday homes on the site of a former school. The owners of Hunmanby Hall near Filey are seeking permission for the redevelopment of “unused buildings”. The proposal would see a sports hall replaced with eight two-bedroom terraced cottages while an adjoining gym would be converted into six one-bedroom holiday homes. North Yorkshire Council is considering the planning application. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-67348825
• A pitch and putt golf course in a landmark Harrogate park could be replaced with a “pump track” for bikes. The track at the Grade II-listed Valley Gardens would be a circular loop with slopes and bumps for BMX riders and others, North Yorkshire council said. There had been a “significant drop” in people using the nine-hole pitch and putt course over the last decade, according to the authority. A six-week consultation into the proposal was now under way, it added. (Karl Battersby quoted). https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-67334915#

Harrogate Advertiser

• Section of A59 at Kex Gill between Harrogate and Skipton set to reopen this week after being closed for five weeks for resurfacing. https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/transport/section-of-a59-at-kex-gill-between-harrogate-and-skipton-set-to-reopen-this-week-after-being-closed-for-five-weeks-for-resurfacing-work-4400376
• Harrogate racquets club gets green light for major upgrades ahead of centenary year. North Yorkshire Council has approved plans by Harrogate Racquets Club to resurface its tennis courts and install new LED floodlights. https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/business/harrogate-racquets-club-gets-green-light-for-major-upgrades-ahead-of-centenary-year-4401078

Craven Herald

• A59 at Kex Gill road closure on track to end on Friday https://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/23905338.a59-kex-gill-road-closure-track-end-friday/

Your Harrogate

• North Yorkshire Council has approved plans by Harrogate Racquets Club to resurface its tennis courts and install new LED floodlights. The members club on Firs Road was founded in 1924 on the same site and as it approaches its centenary next year, there will be a major upgrade of the facility which offers a place to play tennis, table tennis and badminton. https://yourharrogate.co.uk/news/almost-100-year-old-harrogate-sports-club-to-get-upgrades/

Richmondshire Today / Hambleton Today

• The leadership of a council which has repeatedly been challenged over its stance towards open democracy has rejected criticism after staging a meeting of its top committee 55 miles from its headquarters to showcase its decision-making in action which no members of the public attended. North Yorkshire Council’s executive meeting at Selby Civic Centre lasted less than ten minutes before the Tory-led authority’s leader Councillor Carl Les closed proceedings to the public to discuss the confidential terms of a deal to sell land in Richmond. https://www.richmondshiretoday.co.uk/criticism-after-no-one-attends-councils-democracy-in-action-meeting/

Northern Echo

• A plan to build more fast food restaurants and another petrol station beside a motorway junction believed to be among the North’s most congested has been recommended for approval with no measures to mitigate the development’s impact on the interchange. While calls are mounting for a moratorium on a string of development proposals at the A1(M) and A66 Scotch Corner junction, North Yorkshire councillors will hear highways bosses are confident the interchange has sufficient capacity to accommodate the development. https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/23905145.scotch-corner-development-proposal-wins-planners-support/

Ryedale Gazette and Herald

• P2 – Residents and businesses in parts of Norton woke up to water and raw sewage starting to flood roads and their properties on Saturday morning. The team from NYC established that the pumps on both sides of County Bridge had been deliberately switched off.
• P15 – The first stage of a five-year process to develop a new local plan for North Yorkshire is under way. From press release, quotes Cllr Derek Bastiman.
• P20 – A landlords’ forum takes place in Ryedale next month. The NYC initiative aims to give private landlords, estate agents, estate landlords and people involved with private sector housing a forum to gather information on changing legislation.

York Press/Ryedale Gazette and Herald

• Teenager arrested after Scarborough Library windows smashed https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/23908998.teenager-arrested-scarborough-library-window-s-smashed/

Harrogate Informer

• Today, secondary legislation has been laid in Parliament which is central to implementing the devolution deal in York and North Yorkshire. If approved by Parliament and made, it provides for the establishment of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (“YNYCA”) and for a directly elected mayor for York and North Yorkshire. Quoting Cllr Carl Les. York and North Yorkshire to get directly elected mayor as devolution deal progresses | Harrogate Informer (harrogate-news.co.uk)
• Proving that age is no barrier to achieving career ambitions or personal growth are two students who have shared their “life-changing” experiences of returning to the classroom. Adult learners share experiences of returning to education | Harrogate Informer (harrogate-news.co.uk)

THURSDAY 9th November 2023

Yorkshire Post

• P9 – Leaders of North Yorkshire Council, already under fire for their stance towards open democracy, have rejected criticism of a meeting of their executive held 55 miles from the authority’s headquarters which no members of the public attended. North Yorkshire Council’s executive meeting at Selby Civic Centre lasted less than ten minutes before the Tory-led authority’s leader Coun Carl Les closed proceedings to the public to discuss the confidential terms of a deal to sell four hectares of land at Gatherley Road, Brompton on Swale.
• P9 – Councillors unanimously approved plans for a 114ft (35m) communications mast near Masham to boost 4G coverage in rural areas. Mobile infrastructure provider Cornerstone submitted plans to North Yorkshire Council to build the tower in Ox Close Plantation, Healey, where a report said existing 4G coverage is “spasmodic”.

• Yorkshire Post is accessible free via the library service. Info at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/download-e-books-e-magazines-and-digital-audiobooks

BBC York and North Yorkshire

• A newly refurbished library had its windows broken days after a government minister came to inspect the work. More than £450,000 was spent on renovations to the Grade II listed Scarborough Library. On Sunday night, a number of windows were smashed “causing thousands of pounds in repairs”, North Yorkshire Council said. Police said an 18-year-old man from the local area had been arrested and released under investigation. Arts minister Lord Parkinson had visited the library on Vernon Road last Friday to see the results of renovation work. The council’s libraries manager Hazel Smith said the community had rallied round to help clean the broken glass from the children’s section. (Hazel Smith quoted) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-67361655
• A consultation is to be held on the fate of a small primary school, that currently has no pupils, which is threatened with closure in the Yorkshire Dales. Pupil numbers at Fountains Earth Church of England Primary School in Lofthouse, Nidderdale, had steadily dwindled, North Yorkshire Council said.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-67349749

Craven Herald

• Housing plans for Gargrave old mill will go before councillors Housing plans for Gargrave old mill will go before councillors | Craven Herald
• A £7.8 million reconfiguration of Skipton Railway Station has finally been given the go-ahead with a proviso that disruption to businesses and residents through night-time working be kept to a minimum. The Skipton and Ripon Area Constituency planning committee had earlier met on October 23 to determine the plans for the ‘Skipton Gateway’ project, but voted for a deferment when a late amendment threw a spanner in the works over working hours. Northern, which manages the station, said no work could take place on the huge scheme during the day and requested construction hours be between 6pm and 3am Monday to Friday and from 8am to1am on Saturdays. No working at all on Sundays and bank holidays. Multi-million pound ‘Skipton Gateway’ rail station plan passed | Craven Herald

Hambleton Today

• Libraries’ role as a ‘gateway to good health and wellbeing’ will come to the fore this month during Self-Care Week. The annual national awareness week, which this year runs from Monday, November 13, to Sunday, November 19, is organised by the Self Care Forum and focuses on embedding support for self-care across communities and families. https://www.hambletontoday.co.uk/north-yorkshire-libraries-host-activities-to-help-you-to-take-care-of-yourself/

This is the Coast

• Grateful staff at Scarborough Library say they have been “truly humbled” by the kindness of the community after their newly refurbished building was vandalised over the weekend. https://www.thisisthecoast.co.uk/news/local-news/overwhelming-support-after-newly-revamped-scarborough-library-vandalised/

The Scarborough News

• P9 – The former leader of Scarborough Council has supported calls for an investigation into Alpamare’s developer. Steve Siddons, who was leader of Scarborough Council from 2019-2023, is backing calls for an investigation into a £9m loan of public money that was given to Benchmark Leisure by the now-defunct council.
• P15 – The installation of new floodlights and hanging signs at The Newcastle Packet pub has been approved by the council. North Yorkshire Council has approved the installation of a range of lights, signs, amenity boards, and floodlights at The Newcastle Packet at 13 Sandside in Scarborough.
• P25 – The demolition of a former hotel in Scarborough which suffered major fire and storm damage has begun. North Yorkshire Council has appointed a contractor to demolish the Marine Residence Hotel on Belmont Road, with work scheduled to be completed by Christmas. In the early hours of Sunday, July 16, a fire broke out inside the privately-owned vacant property, leading to the building being deemed unsafe.
• Plan proposes 14 new holiday homes and demolition of sports building at Hunmanby Hall https://www.thescarboroughnews.co.uk/news/politics/council/plan-proposes-14-new-holiday-homes-and-demolition-of-sports-building-at-hunmanby-hall-4401556

Stray Ferret

• Failed tourism body Welcome to Yorkshire owed £3m to creditors, according to the latest liquidator report. Welcome to Yorkshire owed £3m to creditors, say liquidators – The Stray Ferret
• North Yorkshire Council has blamed “teething issues” for an increase in missed bin collections in the Harrogate district. ‘Teething issues’ to blame for more missed Harrogate bin collections, says council – The Stray Ferret
• Councillors have approved plans to erect a 35 metres-high communications mast near Masham to boost 4G coverage in rural areas. 35-metre 4G mast near Masham approved – The Stray Ferret

Harrogate Advertiser

• P8 – Plans have been submitted to NYC to convert the former Kings Club in Harrogate into 14 apartments.
• P26 – Ripon MP Julian Smith and NYC’s transport lead Keane Duncan have met to discuss lowering the speed limit on a section of the A61.

Whitby Gazette

• P10 – NYC has said it will take seriously any breaches of market regulations in Whitby.

FRIDAY 10th November 2023

Yorkshire Post

• P7 – A proposal for a large housing estate beside a village has been unanimously rejected by councillors amid claims the development was not needed and would permanently reduce the amount of top-quality farmland to produce food. North Yorkshire Council’s Selby and Ainsty constituency planning committee spent little time debating Caddick Land’s proposal for 190 homes off Station Road, at Carlton, near Goole, after hearing it would not comply with the Local Plan blueprint for scale and distribution of housing in the area.
• P8 – More than 70 people from dozens of charities and organisations have gathered in Scarborough to discuss improving support for children and young people in the area. People from more than 30 different public sector and charity groups met at The Street community centre in Scarborough on Wednesday, November 8, for a wide-ranging discussion on how to improve the support given to children and young people in Scarborough. The attendees included staff from different council services, NHS, police and community support officers, local librarians, and charity workers.
• P9 – The director of a pioneering renewable energy scheme is urging North Yorkshire Council to help unblock a decade-long delay facing green power schemes aiming to produce electricity for the grid. North Yorkshire councillor Steve Mason, who is also behind a project to turn Third Energy’s highly controversial Kirby Misperton fracking site into a geothermal energy extraction facility, has lodged a motion for the unitary authority to produce a roadmap to increase electricity grid generation and import capacity across the county.
• Yorkshire Post is accessible free via the library service. Info at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/download-e-books-e-magazines-and-digital-audiobooks

This is the Coast

• Whitby residents are being asked to comment on plans to improve the area around the swing bridge. https://www.thisisthecoast.co.uk/news/local-news/consultation-launched-on-2-3m-revamp-of-whitby-swing-bridge-area/
• A new care home looks set to be built in East Ayton after planning permission was granted yesterday. https://www.thisisthecoast.co.uk/news/local-news/east-ayton-care-home-plans-approved/

Richmondshire Today

• Councillors have approved plans to erect a 35m-tall communications mast near Masham to boost 4G coverage in rural areas. Mobile infrastructure provider Cornerstone submitted plans to North Yorkshire Council to build the tower in Ox Close Plantation, Healey, where a report said existing 4G coverage is “spasmodic”. https://www.richmondshiretoday.co.uk/4g-phone-mast-approved-at-healey/

Darlington and Stockton Times

• P3 – Secondary legislation was laid in Parliament on Tuesday which is central to implementing the new devolution deal in York and North Yorkshire. Quotes Cllr Carl Les.
• P5 – Councillors have approved plans to erect a 35m communications mast near Masham to boost 4G coverage in rural areas.
• P16 – NYC says it wants to improve waiting times for autism assessments after being told by parents that delays of more than three months are harming the mental health of children.
• A controversial planning application to build a petrol station and fast food restaurants at Scotch Corner has been given approval. Residents of nearby Middleton Tyas described the redevelopment as needing more strategic planning and asked for a hold on all plans pending a review.  The North Yorkshire planning committee approved the proposal unanimously subject to a bus shelter being added to the proposal.  https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/23912909.controversial-petrol-station-scotch-corner-approved/ (also in Northern Echo)
• A proposal for a large housing estate beside a village has been unanimously rejected by elected community representatives amid claims the development was not needed, would spoil the landscape and permanently reduce the amount of top-quality farmland to produce food. North Yorkshire Council’s Selby and Ainsty constituency planning committee spent little time debating Caddick Land’s proposal for 190 homes off Station Road, at Carlton, near Goole, after hearing would not comply with the Local Plan blueprint for scale and distribution of housing in the area. https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/23913314.north-yorkshire-food-security-listed-reason-refuse-estate/
• Secondary legislation was laid in Parliament on Tuesday which is central to implementing the new devolution deal in York and North Yorkshire. If approved by Parliament, it provides for the establishment of the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) and a directly elected mayor for the region, with a vote scheduled for May 2, 2024. https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/23911688.north-yorkshire-devolution-deal-makes-progress-parliament/

BBC York and North Yorkshire

• An application to construct a 115ft-tall (35m) mobile phone mast in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in the Yorkshire Dales has been approved. Mobile provider Cornerstone plan to build the tower in Ox Close Plantation, Healey, near Masham, where a report said existing 4G coverage was “spasmodic”. A council planning officer had said the tower’s height was “excessive”. (Cllr Robert Heseltine quoted) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-67349742

Craven Herald

• Motorists using the A59 between Skipton and Harrogate will have to put up with delays to their journeys until at least Sunday night – after yesterday’s wet weather put back the hoped for completion of roadworks.  https://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/23913680.wet-weather-puts-back-hoped-reopening-a59-kex-gill/

Stray Ferret

• Four council-owned properties on Knaresborough High Street are to be used to house asylum seekers and homeless people. Knaresborough High Street flats to house asylum seekers and homeless – The Stray Ferret
• North Yorkshire Council has proposed new road safety measures for Woodfield Road in the Bilton area of Harrogate. 20mph speed limit proposed for Harrogate’s Woodfield Road – The Stray Ferret
• Residents have backed a move to launch a crowdfunding campaign and seek expert advice on how to battle against a planned asphalt plant near Knaresborough. Residents back move for concerted battle against Knaresborough asphalt plant – The Stray Ferret

Gazette and Herald

• The latest phase of a scheme to help householders in parts of North Yorkshire save money on their energy bills starts this month. Householders in the former Ryedale and Scarborough local authority areas can register to take part in an energy auction as part of the nationwide Big Community Switch supported by North Yorkshire Council. RYEDALE: Big Community Switch to reduce energy costs enters next phase | Gazette & Herald (gazetteherald.co.uk)

Martin Feekins

Senior Press and Publications Officer

North Yorkshire Council

Telephone: 07970 280681

Email: martin.feekins@northyorks.gov.uk

Web: www.northyorks.gov.uk