Latest news with #NorthYorkshire
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Homes England acquires MoD barracks site to deliver 1,300 new homes
The UK Government's housing and regeneration agency, Homes England, has bought land at Ripon Barracks, which is set for closure, from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), paving the way for the development of 1,300 new homes. The proposed residential area will offer housing and feature natural green spaces, a primary school, a community centre, and retail facilities to establish a new community. In March, the site was included in a pioneering development strategy, with a revised cross-government approach to handling MoD land, which serves as a model for expediting the construction of new houses. A 'tripartite taskforce' comprising the MoD, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and HM Treasury is currently working on implementing further planning reforms. The collaborative efforts of Homes England, the MoD, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), and the Army Basing and Infrastructure Directorate have been instrumental in utilising the trailblazer approach to unlock the potential of this publicly owned site for housing. The sale is part of the MoD's Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) portfolio, which focuses on upgrading essential military infrastructure and divesting sites that are surplus to the MoD's requirements. North Yorkshire council has granted planning permission for the new homes, which will be constructed in stages. The initial phase will commence at the now-empty Deverell Barracks site to deliver the first 150 homes. Subsequent development will occur at Claro Barracks, Laver Banks, and the former Engineering Park following the Royal Engineers' relocation to Marne Barracks in Catterick. As the master developer for the project, Homes England will oversee the creation of vital infrastructure required for construction, including site-wide drainage, road networks, and other foundational works. Additionally, the design of the new community will pay homage to the site's military heritage through thoughtful design, landscaping, and interpretive features. Core design principles will ensure the preservation and integration of the site's historical elements, such as the linear parade ground layout and the original footpath network. Homes England CEO Eamonn Boylan said: 'This milestone achievement is the result of government bodies uniting to drive forward this government's mission of building 1.5 million homes this parliament. By combining the MoD's land assets with Homes England's planning and development expertise, we've unlocked a site with a historic past which we're determined will shape the development's future.' DIO major disposals deputy head Robert Smith said: 'This is an important milestone in bringing forward Ripon Barracks for redevelopment and is testament to the strong collaboration between all partners involved. Ripon Barracks has a rich history, and this is an excellent example of how sites that are no longer needed by the military can be unlocked to bring real benefits to the local community.' In line with government reforms announced last month to boost the construction of thousands of homes, Homes England plans to release more of its land exclusively to small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) builders. "Homes England acquires MoD barracks site to deliver 1,300 new homes" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
On this day in 2024: pledge of support after Woodsmith Project cuts
On this day in 2024, the York Press reported that York and North Yorkshire local government representatives had pledged to help staff made redundant by cuts to a planned £7bn fertiliser mine. The move followed Anglo American's announcement of its intention to "slow the development" of the Woodsmith Project mine, which had been due to open near Sneaton, south of Whitby, in 2027. As reported at the time, more than 2000 people, including contractors, had been working on the scheme, but the number was expected to be cut to 900, including contractors, within the ensuing 12 months. James Farrar, interim head of paid services at York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, said at the time: "The announcement surrounding the future of Anglo American's Woodsmith Project is understandably of concern to the many staff, and associated businesses, which depend on the long-term viability of the site. "The mine is a major regional employer, drawing its workforce from Scarborough, Whitby, and other nearby rural and urban areas. "While York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority is disappointed to learn of Anglo American's decision to slow development at the Woodsmith Project, we consider the mine integral to our economic ambitions as a region. "The Combined Authority and the York and North Yorkshire Mayor have, therefore, committed to ensuring every affected employee at the Woodsmith Project is connected to opportunities for reemployment, skills training, and small-business support. "I'd like to reassure those affected workers that we are listening to you and that, through a multi-agency approach, we will ensure you have access to the full range of available support services. "Meanwhile we will continue to work closely with Anglo American in navigating this challenging period and supporting the company's long-term commitment to polyhalite fertiliser extraction in our region."
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Campaign to bring replica of Captain Cook's Endeavour back to Whitby
A campaign hopes to bring a replica of Captain James Cook's famous ship to the town where the original was constructed to mark the 300th anniversary of his sailed the Whitby-built HMS Endeavour on his first voyage of discovery to Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia from 1769 to 1771.A group organising celebrations of Cook's anniversary in 2028 said an Australian-built replica returning to the North Yorkshire coast would be a "fantastic spectacle".Clair Stones, a member of the Endeavour International Alliance, said it would form the "centrepiece" of celebrations. "Our aim is to really celebrate everything that he brought and did for the country and for the world," she years of debate, researchers made recent headlines around the world after confirming Endeavour's final resting place as Rhode Island's Newport alliance, made up of museums, maritime institutions, civic bodies and cultural partners, wants to "inspire future generations".She continued: "Our heartfelt wish is that we can bring the Endeavour replica - which is currently moored in Darling Harbour in Sydney - back to the North East."Ms Stones, who is also chair of the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, said the replica ship could visit Middlesbrough, Cook's birthplace, as well as Whitby. The model is described as "one of the world's most accurate maritime replica vessels" by the Australian National Maritime Museum, where it is currently based."We're in communication and talking to Australia, making contact with stakeholders in every way that we can," Ms Stones said."Our fear is that if we don't manage to get it in 2028, it'll never happen again."The replica previously visited Whitby in 1997, 2002 and 2003."The flotilla of ships, boats, helicopters, thousands of people - it's just something that you cannot describe, you have to actually experience it," she added. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Daily Mail
18 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Widow of British soldier whose decomposing body was found in barracks after lying there for three weeks blasts 'unforgivable' delay in finding him - as coroner rules its 'impossible' to determine how he died
The widow of a British soldier who lay decomposing in barracks for three weeks has blasted the Army for the 'unforgiveable' delay in finding his body. Father-of-three Lance Corporal Bernard Morgan was discovered on January 23 2020 in his bedroom at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire. A senior coroner ruled today it was 'not possible to determine' whether L/Cpl Mongan died from suicide or natural causes and recorded an open conclusion. The soldier's death followed a prolonged period of 'degrading' by senior officers which involved him being 'shouted, screamed and swore at'. An inquest at North Yorkshire Coroner's Court heard the 33-year-old's medical cause of death was 'unascertained' as decomposition made it difficult for doctors to determine. Coroner Jon Heath added there was nothing found at the scene or in the post-mortem examination to explain how he died. Mr Heath said: 'The cause of death is unascertained and it is not possible to determine how he came by his death.' L/Cpl Mongan's widow Beth Mongan, who was separated from him at the time of his death, said the conclusion was 'an enormous disappointment' and that he was 'very badly let down by the Army'. The inquest heard L/Cpl Mongan had complained of being bullied by senior officers and five junior soldiers and two senior non-commissioned officers had informed the chain of command that he was being treated differently. Former corporal Stephen Timmerman said 'bullying would be an understatement' as he described how L/Cpl Mongan was 'shouted, screamed and swore at', made to clean senior officers' cars in his own time and 'forced' to do extra runs in his lunch break without being given time to eat. Three other witnesses said he was 'spoken to in a despicable manner,' '100 per cent victimised' and 'never spoken to respectfully'. Mr Heath said in his findings following the inquest that L/Cpl Mongan was 'on occasions treated and spoken to by his chain of command in a way that caused him distress'. The coroner said L/Cpl Mongan was not checked on in his accommodation block over the Christmas period, and had been due to start a deployment with 77 Brigade in January, but was not reported absent by them 'as he should have been' from January 7. The Centre for Military Justice, which represents Ms Mongan, said the last person to speak to L/Cpl Mongan in the early hours of January 2 described him as distressed, crying and drunk. They said: 'Bernie was supposed to be checked on over the Christmas period while he was staying alone in his Army accommodation - astonishingly one of the men Bernie had accused of mistreating him was assigned to do those checks and he admitted at this inquest he did not perform a single one of them. For that failure, he was ordered to perform an "extra duty" as punishment.' The inquest heard L/Cpl Mongan had attempted to kill himself several years earlier when his marriage was breaking down. In the days before he was last seen in January 2020 he gave away his Nintendo to a friend's son, told another friend he 'had bought pills but not taken them' and made two donations to a suicide charity. Mr Heath said: 'However I also find his previous attempt to take his own life was caused by feeling he was not going to see his children again - this was not the case at this time.' He also said L/Cpl Mongan was looking forward to his new deployment and had made a list of 'things to do in 2020' on a post-it note which was found in his room. The inquest heard the two most likely causes of death were considered to be self-inflicted poisoning, after barbiturates were found in L/Cpl's system - one of which was bought illegally - or a sudden abnormality of the heart, but a Home Office pathologist told the inquest he could not say which of these was the most likely. Dr Nigel Cooper said: 'I've thought about this long and hard but I just don't think I can, I don't think I have enough positive evidence to go in one direction or the other.' Speaking after the inquest, Beth Mongan said: 'I was expecting (the open conclusion), mainly due to the Army's failure of leaving him for so long but I've come to my own conclusions over the years. It's hard not having it for the kids.' She said: 'Knowing Bernie, and he did suffer with his mental health over the years and his treatment in the Army, I believe he took his own life. 'I believe (the Army) failed him, they didn't investigate the bullying accusations they way they should have done.' Ms Mongan said the fact that L/Cpl Mongan was undiscovered for three weeks on a military site was 'unforgivable', adding: 'I know they've apologised but that doesn't take away the fact that they failed him on that front. It forever will be unforgivable.' For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116123 or visit
Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Daily Mail
'Cool monk' who groomed and sexually abused boys at £43,000-a-year private school is jailed
A monk who groomed and sexually abused boys at a £43,000-a-year Roman Catholic boarding school has been jailed for seven years. Michael James Callaghan, known as Father James, preyed on vulnerable teenage boys at Ampleforth College in North Yorkshire, a court heard. Judge Richard Clews said the actions of the 71-year-old brought 'the Catholic church and the school into serious disrepute by their nature and number.' Last month Callaghan was convicted of 12 counts of indecent assault on one pupil in the 1990s and one count of sexual assault on another teenager in the 2010s at a trial at Teeside Crown Court last month. The older victim, neither of whom can be identified, faced the priest in court as he read out a statement in which he said 'Father James was manipulative and controlling'. He said: 'My life was hijacked when I was just 14 and I have been dealing with the fallout ever since.' The court heard how the house master groomed the boy and engineered ways to be alone with him, took him out of school for meals and gave him cigarettes. The complainant said in his police interview that Callaghan would 'take on the role of a boy I had a crush on' and they would kiss and simulate sex, telling officers he 'hated the sexual bit of it' and realised as an adult it 'wasn't right'. The second victim, who had his bottom fondled by Callaghan, said it was 'weird and quite frightening' that his abuser was a priest. In a victim statement which was read out for him, he said he hoped Callaghan could be rehabilitated, and 'that he may in time examine his conscience, practice repentance and change his ways'. One of the victims had described Callaghan as a 'cool monk who was popular' at a previous hearing. David Lamb KC, defending, said Callaghan had sought medical help to address his attraction to boys before he joined Ampleforth. He added that Callaghan has no previous convictions and expressed remorse after his conviction. The judge said Callaghan, of Moortown, Leeds, would be subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offender register for life. Judge Clews said right-thinking people would 'recoil in horror' at the idea of a Roman Catholic priest having a sexual relationship with a boy. The school, described in court as 'the Catholic Eton', said after the sentencing that it had 'overhauled' it safeguarding systems. In a statement, it said: 'Ampleforth College deplores abuse and offers a heartfelt apology to the victims and their families for the profound suffering and pain that Michael James Callaghan has inflicted upon them. 'We acknowledge past failings and feel great sorrow at the terrible betrayal of trust.' It said the monk left the school in 2018 and it fully supported the police inquiries which began in 2022. The statement added: 'We are committed to reporting any safeguarding concerns to the relevant authorities and supporting the police and relevant authorities in any investigation. 'We actively offer any help we can give to survivors of abuse and we commend their courage in speaking out.' After the sentencing, Detective Constable Alison Morris, of North Yorkshire Police, said: 'Not only did Callaghan abuse his position of trust in the most appalling way, taking advantage of vulnerable boys he should have been caring for and protecting, he denied his offences throughout and showed no remorse for the pain and suffering he caused.'
