Your Comments

Comments on suggestion that there should be more street lighting on Boroughbridge Road between Renton Close and the village centre February 2025

I would like to encourage the Parish Council to improve the street lighting on Boroughbridge Road. Throughout the village the streets are well lit but area from entrance to Ashbrooke towards Renton Close is very poor. Susie Whistler

I agree more street lighting is required on Boroughbridge Road.  Yes I could take a torch when i go for a walk along that section of the road but that does not give sufficient light to make me feel SAFE. I wonder how many people who are against more lights live our end of the village and have to deliberately avoid walking down the road in the dark? Heidi Ayliffe 

The village's resident astronomer, Chris Higgins told us:- "I read with interest the request for additional street lighting on Boroughbridge Road. Light pollution is a serious problem. There is a government action group (APPG) to deal with issue. The simplest answer in a rural area is to ensure one carries appropriate lighting with you. Should it be deemed necessary to supplement current street lighting every effort should be made to restrict well documented light trespass and the detrimental effects of modern wide spectrum LED lighting on the environment In short:- use lighting of 3000K or less, use down lighting only, use pedestrian activated lighting (dimmed when no activity) plus all lights turned off between the hours of midnight and 5am (current policy)."

Sheila Parsons quesrtioned the idea of using a torch. She said:- "Great if you can walk well, are fairly young and fit. Not so good if you are older, don't walk well and still would like to go out. There are people who are older and still like to live a full life. I am sure there are people like me who find it difficult walking round the village in the dark. I would not attempt to walk from Ashbrook to Renton Close. It's bad enough from St Johns to the chapel. Sometimes we have to try to cater for the minority."

Valerie Williams told us:- "Carrying a torch is a good idea if you have both hands free but what if you're wheeling a pushchair, holding on to small children, using a walking stick, holding a dog on a lead, carrying shopping bags etc., etc. For safety's sake you need a free hand. A street light at this end of the village would be a great asset."

Annabel Alton, also a resident of Renton Close, raised another issue:- "Re the dark unlit section of Boroughbridge Road between Renton Close and Claremont Drive.I agree with Sally and others that is very dark in that section and pitch black at one point, which is quite unnerving even with a torch if walking into the village at night. I observed that there is one lamp working between the two points but also see that there is another street lamp opposite Little Orchard House which is not working and is partly obscured by a conifer and other trees (see pictures). It also looks as though it is broken. It would improve the situation if this light could be repaired and made operable. Hope this sheds more light on the situation !"

"I agree, it is very dark from Ashbrook Farm to Renton Close, just one more street light would make a big difference. Not as bad with Christmas lights on but very dark now!" Beth Macpherson

"We agree - it is very dark along that stretch with a big gap between the two existing street lights. One additional light would be very useful and make a big difference." Sue Peatea

"I sympathise with Sally Scott about the darkness on a short section of Boroughbridge road but would suggest taking a torch would be a more environmentally friendly option. The environmental cost of manufacturing street lamps and then running them is considerable." Helen Bagnall

"No we don’t need more street lighting. Get a head torch if you need to go out in the dark." Zillah Horner

"I agree - no more street lights required." Dave Molyneux

 

Comments on NYC decision not to force the developers of the Lamb and Flag to remove controversial fences 28/1/25

The lack of boundary walls seems to be further evidence of NYC's cavalier attitude to the village, its infrastructure and the views of residents. If you look at the installed fencing at the back it seems to be shoddy and cheap work as one fence has a gate well away from the front door with the fence itself blocks what I recall being an opening window. Cheapskate is a word which springs to mind. The council decision is a cop out to save the possibility of costs and makes a mockery of planning permissions. Going forward any permissions need to be very much more proscriptive to avoid any recurrence. Rod Hepple-Wilson

"It would have been better not to have had the fence put up in the first place" Jenny Harding

"This is a ridiculous decision by NYC ... In the middle of a conservation area when others can't even cut their trees or update their homes without being challenged by them." Laura Johnson

"That fence is awful! Not in keeping with the rest of the properties in that area. I'm shocked it's staying." Angie Archbold

"Absolutely typical NYC! We have a dangerously diseased tree they won't let us remove. yet these fences which look awful they allow! I just hope the new home owners dislike them as much and replace them!" Emma Oates

Comments on Gerald and Lesley Shervington standing down from the Village Hall Committee 23/1/25

"I would like to thank Gerald and Lesley for all the hard work they have put into supporting the village over many years. You both are very much appreciated. Enjoy whatever your new plans may be."  Alison Auchterlonie

Comments on idea of extending the outflow from the proposed Avant development to make it discharge away from centre of village 

"The mood of the VH meeting was very positive and the suggestion to move the outflow down from the ford to beyond Dean Culshaw's house was an excellent idea. All I felt was this mood of optimism did not fully take into account the chaos of digging up Hungate, much more detail is needed." Bob Upton

Comment on NYC Clearance of Snow 9/1/2025

"NYC couldn`t wait to tell us how much more efficient it would be to become a bigger entity and save money. Well, we know that didn`t work Mr Carl - it’s not snow clearing now Mr Carl - it’s ice-clearing !! Not only are the side roads treacherous, but also the pavements and your own car-parking facilities, such at the back of Sainsbury's in Ripon. You and your Council are an economic disgrace and disaster but guess what folks, there`ll be another Council Tax increase come April, to let them increase their salaries . Richard Houseman

"The bins may have sand in, but how do you get it onto the pavements? I have asked multiple times that hand push spreaders be bought. Am trying very hard to not be negative in the ' new era' " Bob Upton

Comment on Avant homes Public Meeting 30/10/2024

"Your report of yesterday's meeting with Avant gives excellent coverage of the developer's promises but its commitments on road safety fall short of encouraging necessary integration of the families arriving in Avant's sixty new houses seamlessly into our village community. 

Vitally important is that parents and children should cross Knaresborough Road without fear and have the shortest practical walk to the school and the village centre. Walking along the already too narrow footpath to the dangerous Moor Road crossroad and then down Hungate or, alternatively, over the blind summit and then along the even more inadequate footpath of St. John's Road, could not achieve the aims.

This argues for a proper pedestrian crossing at the entrance of Meadowcroft Drive leading onwards past the Masons Arms. A zebra crossing at this point would keep families safe from the busy, often speeding cars and lorries along Knaresborough Road and might also act as a traffic calming measure close to the crossroad." David and Lizzie Darbyshire

 

“There was a key point raised regarding the local plan by David Richold:

- applications need to be sustainable eg things should be no worse than they were before the development (with this plan, they will be)

- there needs to have been no significant alterations since the local plan was agreed, which there have been. David stated that there have been 14 houses built in the village since then (as I’m typing I’m wondering about Kebble numbers) and with the 28 approved on church farm he said it’s a 15% increase on the 300ish that existed at the time the local plan was agreed. A significant change. 
Will also mean 2 sites emptying their attenuation tanks at the same time; a worse situation than if was just from one site.
Bonnie Johnson

“Two minor issues to start with. Where will tradesmen park during the construction? The exit from from Moor Lane onto the A61 is already difficult. Add the extra traffic from this dormitory estate ( particularly at peak times) and there will be serious trouble ahead. Any more anyone?” Derek Coulson

"Thank you for the information The sewage will always be an issue But is there any reason why the beck can't be dredged out deeper?" Dave Molyneux

"No one so far has mentioned public transport via the route they take through the village and how this will be affected. It won't be great. and  they also need to know and in good time. They found it hard enough during Lamb and Flag build." [email protected]​

"Sir Alec needs to ensure that the Avant plan for 60 properties does not increase the probability of the beck overflowing during periods of persistent and/or heavy rain. Also, to establish from Yorkshire Water that the sewerage system which they state is "at near capacity" can accommodate the sewage from the extra properties when we already know that effluent emerges from the system (manhole covers) during persistent/heavy rain. Prior to the Church Farm approval of 25 properties, there were c.400 properties in the village. 25 + 60 increases the percentage by c. 22%. If a system is "at near capacity" at 400, does not another 22% bring it to over capacity? I think that the village needs Sir Alec's help re these two issues to ensure that beck and sewage overflows do not increase". Ken Barker​

"The irony meter well and truly exploded when I saw your article about Yorkshire Water finally objecting to the Avant Homes plan to build 60 homes in Bishop Monkton. When I read the headline, for a brief and glorious moment I thought that YW had finally woken up, then I read the rest of the story……. In objecting to the fact that trees were being planted too close to the planned new sewerage pipes on the site, they have completely ignored the fact that they will  feed directly into an archaic foul water system that Yorkshire Water themselves have already described as ‘close to capacity’. The irony is that in actually finally raising themselves to comment to the planners on Bishop Monkton’s foul drainage system they have actually missed the main point – that whilst new householders will enjoy an unfettered outlet to an entirely pristine top half of the system on site, when it rains heavily the bottom half of the village is probably going to have to deal with the fall out.Literally. Come on YW-urge the planners to delay approving any more large new building projects in our village until you have been able to properly assess and fix the problems with the drainage infrastructure that would support them". Exasperated (Name and address supplied)

Feedback on the New Website

11/10/24

"I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone involved in setting up and running the new village website." Heidi Ayliffe

"Loads better and easier to navigate" Stancey Coughlan

'Great job on the new website' Laura Johnson

'Looks great. Thank you.' Lucinda Peters

'Great job, Very easy to navigate.' Susan Whistler

'It's fab - thank you and well done' - Mandy Lumsdon

'Looks great - thank you for all your hard work' - Pam Brown

'Thank you' - Carol Wells

''The new website looks great - thank you to all involved' - Sue PeaTea

'Wowza!! Well done everyone' - Gerald Shervington

Comment on our story on the wooden fences at the Lamb and Flag 10/10/24

“Well done to the residents for raising this issue with North Yorkshire. The wooden fencing is not suitable for the centre of our village conservation area so let's hope it can be changed for 'a boundary wall to match the neighbouring properties'. Regards Wendy Hogan”

"I find the wooden fence in the front of the property degrading to the property. I understand the developers had planned a wall in keeping with the property, what happened to the plan? My neighbour on St John's Way has just had their front garden fenced and the result is far superior to the Lamb & Flag properties; I'm sure my neighbours would be pleased for interested parties, developers, to compare fences if a fence it must be. I would like to know what happened to the wall! Thanks, Kay Thorpe

Comment on our story about Avant Homes revised plans for sixty homes in the village 23/10/2024

"What worries us is 60 houses is a lot more sewage and the drains and pipes have never been updated as long as my wife has lived here(27 years. When it rains the drains will fill and not run away and flood the low lying homes up through there toilets. We no this at we do tanker work and it's happening in a few places. People cannot use there toilets showers sinks etc as it cannot flow away quick enough. 60 homes plus the other new homes will be too much and cause big problems with the drains. Feel sad for the low lying homes as it will happen Cheers Michele"

Comments on our story about the BBC Children's drama 'Jamie Johnson FC' being filmed in the Village Hall 22/10/2024

"I am fully in favour of the hall being hired out to the BBC. The VH has been very supportive of the tennis and pickleball club and the funds generated will allow the VH to continue to help all the affiliated clubs which play such an important role in village life. There is also the benefit to the non-sports players of having a social hub and facility which everyone can use and so the funds generated will be good for us all. The short-term inconvenience of clubs making alternative arrangements while the hall is being used by the BBC will be far outweighed by the long term gains." Jonathan Pimley, Chair, BM Tennis Club

"Fantastic for the village and heighten the profile BM and what a lovely village and area it is. We do have an Airbnb at the rear of Burngarth and would be happy to let the accommodation to those that might need it during filming . Well done to all those involved. Dave Molyneux

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