North Yorkshire News

North Yorkshire News. Stay connected with the latest news from across North Yorkshire, with local stories that matter to you and your community. From Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon to towns and villages across the county, discover breaking news, council updates, business developments, transport, and community stories. Whether it’s happening on your doorstep or making headlines across the county, explore North Yorkshire News and find out what’s happening, where and why it matters.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting ‘sickened’ by sex abuse allegations at Harrogate Army college

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting says he has been left “absolutely sickened” by allegations of rape, sexual assault and harassment involving young female recruits at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate.

The allegations have put the Harrogate military college under renewed national scrutiny after four women spoke to the BBC about their experiences while training there.

The women described allegations of sexual assault, harassment and a wider culture of misogyny and sexual violence.

Streeting said the women had been “badly failed” and praised them for coming forward.

For people in Harrogate and across North Yorkshire, the revelations concern one of the town’s most significant military establishments — a college responsible for training some of the youngest recruits entering the British Army.

What has happened at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate?

The Army Foundation College (AFC) is the UK’s largest military training establishment for under-19s and receives all of the Army’s 16-year-old recruits.

Four women who attended the college during the past five years have now spoken to the BBC about alleged sexual abuse and harassment.

Their accounts have prompted fresh questions over safeguarding, supervision and the treatment of young women training at the Harrogate site.

Police received 16 reports of sexual offences in a year

Figures obtained by the BBC through a Freedom of Information request reveal the scale of the concerns.

North Yorkshire Police received 16 reports of sexual offences linked to the Army Foundation College in the year to June.

They included allegations of:

Sexual assault
Voyeurism
Exposure

The information provided did not state whether any of the reports resulted in prosecutions.

Separate Ministry of Defence figures show 176 complaints of inappropriate sexual behaviour were made at the Harrogate college between January 2018 and June 2025.

Former recruit says she was raped aged 17

One of the most disturbing accounts came from a former recruit identified by the BBC as “Tilly”, whose name was changed to protect her identity.

She said she was just 17 years old when several fellow junior soldiers invited her into their room.

She told the BBC:

“They started taking my clothes off and then this led to them doing stuff I didn’t consent to.

“And then I was raped… by multiple junior soldiers, same age as me. It went on for hours. I felt like a piece of meat.”

Mother says daughter slept against her bedroom door

Another account was provided by the mother of a former recruit identified as “Amy”.

She said her daughter was sexually assaulted and subjected to almost daily sexual harassment during her training.

Her mother said the lock on Amy’s room was not working and claimed:

“She found herself sleeping across the door to stop male soldiers coming in.”

Another former recruit who alleged she was sexually assaulted and harassed at AFC claimed misogynistic attitudes among some staff influenced the behaviour of teenage male recruits.

She recalled one instructor making an explicit sexual remark about women.

Wes Streeting: Women were ‘badly failed’

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said he was “absolutely sickened” by the reports and expressed sympathy for the women who had spoken publicly.

He said:

“We have a duty to uphold the very highest standards in uniform and to treat every woman with the dignity and respect she deserves.

“I don’t want anyone who has the ambition and talent to join our armed forces to be deterred, so it’s contingent on us to make sure that we’ve got our act together.”

Streeting said he would be “looking in detail specifically at what’s gone wrong at Harrogate”, as well as considering how cultural change could be delivered more widely across the Armed Forces and defence.

Calls grow for an independent inquiry

The revelations have prompted calls for an independent investigation into the Harrogate college.

Former MP Sarah Atherton, who served in the Army’s Intelligence Corps and led a 2021 government review into the experiences of women in the Armed Forces, said public confidence in AFC could “only be restored through an independent inquiry”.

MP Emma Lewell went further, saying:

“If this was any other school or residential environment for children, it would have been closed down.”

Children’s Commissioner responds

Children’s Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza described the reported attacks as “appalling”.

She said she would work to ensure the allegations were investigated and that those responsible — including anyone found to have failed in their safeguarding responsibilities — were held to account.

She also stressed that children living away from home have the right to contact her office for support and said she would ensure girls attending AFC were able to do so.

What has the Army said?

The Army said:

“Unacceptable and criminal behaviour has absolutely no place in our armed forces.”

It urged anyone who has experienced or witnessed unacceptable behaviour to come forward.

The Ministry of Defence said the Army Foundation College “welcomes external scrutiny and challenge”.

It said AFC had hosted safeguarding bodies, parliamentarians, the Children’s Commissioner’s office and the Armed Forces Commissioner during the past year.

The MoD also highlighted the college’s outstanding Ofsted report.

Why this matters to Harrogate

The Army Foundation College has a major presence in Harrogate and trains young people from across the country, including recruits who enter military life at just 16.

The latest allegations therefore go beyond the experiences of the four women who have spoken publicly.

They raise wider questions about how teenage recruits are protected, how allegations are handled and whether the culture at the college needs fundamental change.

With the Defence Secretary now promising to examine specifically “what’s gone wrong at Harrogate”, scrutiny of the college is unlikely to disappear quickly.

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Major 3,000-Home Garden Village Planned Between Harrogate and York

Plans for a major new community between Harrogate and York are continuing to develop as the proposed Maltkiln garden village moves through the next stage of planning.

The project, centred around Cattal railway station, could eventually deliver at least 3,000 homes, along with schools, shops, green spaces and community facilities designed to support a new self-contained village.

Developers say the vision is to create a sustainable garden settlement, rather than a large housing estate, where residents can live, work and access services locally.

A New Community Around Cattal Station

The proposed site sits just south of the A59, one of the main routes linking Harrogate and York. Its location around Cattal station is seen as a key part of the project, giving future residents direct rail connections to Harrogate, York and Leeds.

The development would also sit close to the existing villages of Kirk Hammerton, Green Hammerton and Cattal, placing it within an already established rural community area.

Planning documents describe the intention to create a well-connected settlement with strong public transport links, encouraging residents to rely less on cars and more on rail, walking and cycling.

Schools, Shops and Community Facilities

The masterplan outlines a wide range of facilities intended to support daily life within the village. Proposed amenities include:

Two primary schools and a nursery
A local centre with shops, cafés and healthcare services
Sports and health facilities
Large areas of green space and parkland
A network of walking and cycling routes

Developers say the aim is to ensure the village grows with the infrastructure it needs, helping create a balanced and sustainable community.

Transport Improvements

Transport improvements are also part of the long-term proposals. Plans include the potential removal of some level crossings on the Harrogate–York railway line to improve rail reliability and safety.

Improving connections between the new village and nearby towns will be a key part of the development as it progresses.

Planning Progress and Challenges

The Maltkiln Development Plan Document (DPD) was formally adopted by North Yorkshire Council in November 2025, setting out the planning framework for the new settlement.

More recently, a detailed masterplan framework was presented to the council’s executive in March 2026 following public consultation.

However, the project has also faced complications. In 2023, a major landowner withdrew land that made up around 42% of the proposed site, which could lead to the council considering the use of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) to secure the remaining land needed.

Some councillors have also called for further work on the plans before the masterplan is fully adopted.

A Long-Term Vision for North Yorkshire

If the project goes ahead, Maltkiln will be developed in stages over several decades. While planning work is progressing, most construction is expected to take place after 2035, with the full project potentially spanning up to 30 years.

Supporters say the development could play an important role in helping meet rising housing demand across North Yorkshire, while creating a carefully planned new community between Harrogate and York.

Once complete, Maltkiln could become one of the largest new settlements in the county, transforming the area around Cattal into a major new residential and community hub.

North Yorkshire News

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Harrogate Celebrates North Yorkshire’s First ‘Tiger Crossing’ After 10-Year Campaign

Harrogate has unveiled North Yorkshire’s first-ever “tiger crossing” — a major milestone for walkers and cyclists after more than a decade of campaigning.

The new parallel crossing has been installed on Oatlands Drive at Slingsby Walk, beside the 200-acre Stray and close to St Aidan’s High School. Designed to give priority to both pedestrians and cyclists, the scheme aims to make one of the town’s busiest school routes significantly safer.

Delivered by North Yorkshire Council at a cost of £150,000, the project follows years of pressure from local active travel supporters, including Harrogate District Cycle Action.

What Is a Tiger Crossing?

A tiger crossing — officially known as a parallel crossing — combines a traditional zebra crossing with a clearly marked cycle lane running alongside it.

Like a zebra crossing, it features black-and-white stripes and flashing Belisha beacons. But unlike standard crossings, cyclists can ride across without dismounting, with motorists required to give way to both cyclists and pedestrians.

Supporters say the change is particularly important near St Aidan’s High School, where large numbers of pupils travel on foot or by bike each day.

A Long-Fought Victory

Campaigners had pushed for safer crossings in the area for more than 10 years. After delays of around two years, the completed scheme is being hailed as a breakthrough for active travel in the town.

A spokesperson for Harrogate District Cycle Action said the new crossing finally gives clear priority to those walking and cycling, improving safety on a road that sees heavy traffic, especially at peak times.

More Improvements Nearby

The project also includes a recently installed toucan crossing on the A661 Wetherby Road at the eastern end of Slingsby Walk, near Harrogate District Hospital. Together, the two crossings strengthen links between residential neighbourhoods, the school, the hospital and the Stray.

For many residents, the tiger crossing is more than new road markings — it signals a shift towards safer, more sustainable travel in Harrogate.

And campaigners hope it’s just the beginning

North Yorkshire News

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A Must-Visit Dining Experience for Harrogate & North Yorkshire Food Lovers

If you enjoy discovering exceptional places to eat across Harrogate, Ripon and North Yorkshire, this is one destination you’ll want to explore next.

The Old Deanery has quietly become one of the region’s most talked-about fine-dining restaurants – and national recognition now confirms what locals are already saying.

Recently named in the Harden’s Top 100 Best UK Restaurants, this elegant Jacobean mansion overlooking Ripon Cathedral offers far more than just a meal.

Why It’s Worth the Journey from Harrogate

✔ Award-winning dining

Featured in Harden’s Top 100 UK Restaurants
Three AA Rosettes
MICHELIN Recommended

✔ A truly different experience

Dine your way through a historic Jacobean building
Each course served in a different characterful space
A guided journey through history and flavour

✔ A chef worth following
At the helm is Head Chef Adam Jackson, whose refined, modern approach has earned praise as “the North’s next culinary obsession.”

The Tasting Menu: More Than Just Dinner

The signature evening tasting menu is designed for guests who enjoy slowing down and savouring the moment.

Seasonal British ingredients
Innovative techniques with elegant presentation
Carefully curated drink pairings
Eight beautifully balanced courses (£95 per person)

One standout highlight, according to diners?
Sea bass with a delicately spiced jalapeño sauce, paired with sparkling Japanese sake – a combination described as “simply amazing.”

Prefer daytime dining? The Old Deanery also serves lunch and afternoon tea, perfect for relaxed visits to Ripon.

A Jacobean Mansion with a New Chapter

Taken on by family-owned Layton Hill Hotels in 2021, The Old Deanery was reimagined as an exclusive-use venue before evolving again in November 2023 into a luxury restaurant with rooms.

Today, it offers:

Refined dining in a historic setting
Boutique overnight stays
A standout destination for celebrations, escapes and special occasions

Planning Your Visit

Opening times at a glance:

Wednesday: From 12 noon (drinks & hotel stays)
Thursday – Saturday: Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, evening tasting menu
Sunday: Traditional Sunday lunch
Closed: Mondays & Tuesdays

🎄 Christmas closure: 22–26 December
✨ Reopens: Saturday 27 December
🥂 New Year’s Eve: Special celebratory tasting menu on 31 December When closed, the team can be contacted via email.reception@theolddeanery.co.uk Explore More of North Yorkshire’s Best Dining

Whether you’re planning a special occasion, a weekend escape, or simply love uncovering the best restaurants near Harrogate, The Old Deanery is a destination that rewards curiosity.

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Fire Service Incident summary – Day shift Saturday December 27th

Published 27th Dec 2025

North Yorkshire News

08:33 Ribston Park, Little Ribston

Knareseborough crews responded to investigate a smoke alarm activation in a domestic property. After inspection crews confirmed this was a false alarm caused by cooking fumes.

09:15 Horseman Close, Copmanthorpe

Acomb crews responded to assist care staff with gaining entry to a domestic property. The elderly occupant had suffered a fall and carers were unable to get in as the key was still in the locked door. Crews managed to gain entry and allow care staff access to the occupant who was not injured.

10:05 York Fire Station

York crews assisted a member of the public who turned up on station with a ring stuck on their finger. The crews used a ring cutter to safely remove the ring.

10:19 Brigg Lane, Camblesforth

Selby crew attended a a two vehicle road traffic collision involving a hybrid vehicle. No people were trapped. Crews carried out a thermal scan of the car battery, cleared up a coolant spillage on the roadway and winched the vehicles to a safe location off the road. Incident was left in the hands of Police.

12:08 Poplar Crescent, Romanby.

Northallertyon crews investigated a domestic smoke alarm activation. This turned out to be a flat battery signal not an alarm activation. Crew refit some alarms and gave advice to the occupier.

13:04 Cambridge Street, Harrogate

Harrogate crews responded to a report of an outdoors waste bin issuing smoke. On arrival crew confirmed that the minor fire had been extinguished prior to their arrival.

14:41 Wetherby

Crews from Tadcaster and Knaresborough were requested to assist at an incident in West Yorkshire. This was a false alarm and no action was taken by our crews.

16:01 Wetherby

Crews from Tadcaster and Knaresborough responded to a request from West Yorkshire to assist at a possible residential fire. This was confirmed to be a false alarm and was dealt with by West Yorkshire prior to North Yorkshire arriving.

North Yorkshire News

17:05 Thorpe Willoughby

A crew from Selby are currently on their way to a fire in the open affecting bushes to the rear of some properties. This incident is ongoing at the time of publication

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Keep up to date with the latest North Yorkshire news, featuring breaking stories, local updates, community highlights, and snippets of interest from across the county.

Hall Lodge – A beautiful Georgian home with private walled gardens in the heart of Boroughbridge is now on the market for under £1 million. This period property combines classic Georgian architecture with a prime central location, offering privacy, character, and easy access to local amenities. Ideal for buyers seeking a prestigious North Yorkshire home, the property is attracting strong interest in the current luxury housing market.

11, HALL SQUARE, BOROUGHBRIDGE, YO51 9AN
Ripon 7.2 miles, Harrogate 11 miles, Thirsk 12.4 miles, York 18 miles
(distances approximate)
A UNIQUE FOUR BEDROOM GEORGIAN RESIDENCE POSITIONED
IN THE CENTRE OF BOROUGHBRIDGE OFFERING FABULOUS
EXTENDED ACCOMMODATION PERFECT FOR FAMILIES.
Accommodation
Ground Floor – Entrance into the reception hall/Snug • Sitting/Dining room
Breakfast kitchen • Utility room • W.C.
First Floor – Principal bedroom with dressing area and ensuite • 2 double
bedrooms • House bathroom
Second Floor – Bedroom and dressing room with a range of built in storage
Externally
Walled garden • Gated driveway •Oak-framed garage • Lawn and courtyard

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