Local Democracy Reporting Service

Plans to turn a former mine into a camping and glamping site are set to be discussed by councillors.

Image source, Jonathan Thacker/Geograph

The North Selby Mine site, off the A19 near Escrick, is set to be turned into a 434-pitch camping and caravan site.

According to a report set to go before City of York Council next week, two people have objected to the plans – saying the campsite would increase pollution and traffic - and the council's council’s economic growth department has also raised concerns.

Concerns have also been raised about the site being within the Green Belt.

Planning officers, however, say: "It is considered that the benefits that would be provided by the scheme, when taken together, being the re-use of previously developed land, tourism and investment in the local economy and biodiversity benefits, are of sufficient weight to clearly outweigh the Green Belt harm.”

The application is due to be discussed at a virtual planning meeting on Thursday.

A pregnant woman had her purse stolen at knifepoint while sitting in the grounds of Batley cemetery.

Image source, Google

West Yorkshire Police say the woman, in her 30s, was approached by a man who threatened her with a knife and demanded she hand over her money. He then left in the direction of Cemetery Road.

The incident took place at about 20.30 on Wednesday.

The suspect is described as white, tall and of skinny build. He is believed to be in his 30s and was wearing a grey top and blue trousers.

The force has appealed for anyone who who witnessed a male matching this description in the area or anyone who saw a male making off down Cemetery Road to come forward.

Andy Medcalf's photos taken with a drone will be used to help teach geography lessons.

Whitby's Pier Road will be closed to traffic this weekend to allow social distancing guidelines to be observed.

Image source, Google

The road will be shut from 10:30 on Saturday and Sunday "for as long as necessary" as bars and amusement arcades open their doors for the first time since late March.

Richard Marr, from North Yorkshire County Council, said: “We are concerned that the reopening of many businesses on the seafront will draw large crowds over the weekend.

"There is a particular fear on Pier Road, where social distancing would be hard to maintain if the road were to remain open.

"We apologise for any inconvenience the closure may cause but it is a decision we had to make to ensure public safety."

No visitors will be allowed into 13 high-rise blocks in east Leeds without the permission of either a resident or the council in a bid to cut down on anti-social behaviour, it's been confirmed.

Image source, Google

In the three months covered by a new court order granted to Leeds City Council, any visitor to the flats who doesn't have "express permission" to be in the flats could face further action.

The high-rise blocks affected include Naseby Grange (pictured), Marston Mount, Lincoln Towers and nine others in the Burmantofts and Richmond Hill ward.

The order has been granted following residents' complaints about drug dealing and vandalism as well as drug paraphernalia, excrement and blood being found in stairwells, the council says.

Councillor Debra Coupar said: "Anyone who thinks they can just ignore the order, further action will be taken if they continue to try to access any of the buildings without permission."

There have been no Covid-19 related deaths announced in Yorkshire's hospitals in the past 24 hours, according to the latest NHS England figures.

Image source, PA Media

The figures, which cover a 24 hour period ending at 16:00 on 2 July, show across England 38 people died in hospital after testing positive for the virus.

However, for the first time since 15 March none of those deaths occurred in a hospital in Yorkshire.

The total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England now stands at 28,832.

A rare albatross looking for a mate is destined to be unlucky in love after it turned up on the East Yorkshire coast.

Image source, Craig Thomas

The black-browed albatross arrived on Thursday at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, near Flamborough.

Craig Thomas, of Flamborough Bird Observatory, said: "It is likely ranging in the northern hemisphere looking for a mate but is probably the only one in Europe."

More than 300 birdwatchers from across the country have so far come to see it.

The adult bird, thought to be at least eight years old, has ranged from the cliffs at Bempton to Flamborough lighthouse.

Mr Thomas, chair of the observatory said: "It's an exceptional sighting, the first time a bird like this has lingered at a British mainland colony."

The legal action follows complaints about serious anti-social behaviour at the flats in east Leeds.

Sheffield City Council apologises for the "badly worded" tweet, which it has since deleted.

Two more shootings have been reported in a Sheffield suburb, taking the total since Tuesday to four.

Last night at about 19:15, police were called to Myrtle Road, Arbourthorne, to reports of gunfire.

A short time later, officers went to Kenninghall Road after another report of a shooting.

Nobody is thought to have been injured, but "evidence of firearms being discharged" was found at both locations, police say.

Det Ch Insp Paul Murphy said: “We believe last night’s incidents to be linked to Tuesday’s incidents and still believe there to be no wider risk to the community. These are targeted attacks by organised crime groups.

“I am appealing for your help to identify those involved in last night’s incidents. We believe two men to be involved. They are described as riding a motorcycle or scooter and dressed in dark clothing."

Armed officers are going to be in the area over the coming days, police added.

Jordan Marples-Douglas was found with multiple stab wounds at a property in Sheffield in March.

Sheffield Wednesday fans have formed a group against racism, after a small number of supporters took to social media to criticise players for taking a knee.

Image source, Martin Rickett/PA Media

Footballers have been making the gesture prior to kick-off in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, with photos then being shared on the club's social media accounts.

Some supporters have criticised players for the action, but that criticism has left others "disgusted".

The Owls Against Racists group, supported by local bands such as Reverend and the Makers, Pulp and Arctic Monkeys, has issued 1,000 free badges for people to show their support.

In a statement, it said: "We ask that Sheffield Wednesday Football Club fans wear their Owls Against Racists badge with pride, clear that they are on the right side of history and doing their small bit to cement the image of fans as non-racist."

Two overseas players will be allowed in County Championship and One-Day Cup teams from the 2021 season.

Five people jumped from a moving lorry as it was being pursued by police on a North Yorkshire motorway in the early hours of this morning, it's been revealed.

Image source, North Yorkshire Police

A "suspicious" lorry was seen driving on the A1(M) north of Leeming Bar at about 01:20 this morning and its driver failed to stop when asked to by police.

Shortly after, five people, all dressed in black, jumped from the lorry and ran into nearby fields while the vehicle was still on the move.

The lorry subsequently came to a stop on a grass verge, police say.

Despite searches by officers, police dogs and the force helicopter in the Little Fencote area, the five suspects remain at large.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: "Jumping from a moving lorry and letting it crash off the motorway was an extremely reckless act that could have had very serious consequences.

"Although no suspects have been located at this time, it’s highly likely our response has disrupted criminal activity overnight."

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Over 12,500 people have been helped by volunteering efforts in Leeds in a "resounding celebration of community spirit" during the coronavirus lockdown, a report says.

Image source, Reuters/Hannah McKay

The report, to be scrutinised by councillors next week, claims over 8,000 people across the city signed up to become volunteers following the announcement of restrictions in March.

The level of working together between Leeds City Council and non-profit organisations has been "unprecedented" during the pandemic, it says.

In just one week in May, over 1,000 food parcels were delivered by community care volunteers – with around 8,000 delivered in total over the course of the lockdown, the report adds.

Overall, 12,504 "unique customers" in Leeds were helped by volunteers during the Covid-19 lockdown as a result of 19,071 inquiries.

The report adds: "The volunteering response to the pandemic in Leeds has been a resounding celebration of the community spirit in this city and a testimony to many years of effective partnership working, relationship-building and community leadership."

The council, along with Voluntary Action Leeds, now wants to set up a post-Covid volunteering platform to build on the work done so far.

Members of a family of antelopes from eastern Africa are settling in to their new home in Doncaster as part of a global conservation project.

Image source, Yorkshire Wildlife Park

The tiny antelopes, known as Kirk's dik-dik, only grow to about 16ins (41cm) tall and get their name from the call they make when startled, Yorkshire Wildlife Park (YWP) said.

Davos and Crissy and their four-month-old calf Mr Cashew are the latest animals to arrive at the park near Doncaster as part of a project to protect their numbers

They're poached by hunters who sell their bones for jewellery and their hides for suede gloves, the park said.

Ayshea Seston, from YWP, said: "They inhabit shrubland and thickets and their diet consists primarily of leaves, shoots, flowers and fruits.

"They were quick to explore their new enclosure and have settled in very well and I’m sure visitors will love them."

Image source, Yorkshire Wildlife Park

Local Democracy Reporting Service

The annual Rotherham Show will not be held this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, it's been confirmed.

Image source, Reuters/Hannah McKay

The show, which usually sees tens of thousands of people flock to Clifton Park, is one the biggest events of its kind anywhere in the country.

Rotherham Council says it hopes to hold a number of smaller cultural events, potentially online, through the course of the year as coronavirus restrictions are eased.

Councillor Sarah Allen said the authority was "extremely disappointed" the show won't be able to go ahead as planned.

"The Rotherham Show has been a firm favourite in the calendar for local residents and visitors for many years, but despite our best efforts it hasn’t been possible to arrange it in a way that would be safe for everyone at the moment," she said.

"We very much intend this to be a one-off cancellation and we look forward to welcoming people to the show again next year."

Donkeys which have spent their lockdown in a field above Whitby will be giving their first post-lockdown trip to a North Yorkshire beach later.

The animals would normally have spent the summer months on the beach, but because of the coronavirus restrictions they haven't been working.

Owner Geraldine Gibson (pictured above) spoke to the BBC last month as she tried to raise money through a crowdfunder to help pay for food for the donkeys.

After raising sufficient funds to keep the business running through lockdown, she says she hopes a summer season will be enough to get them through to next year.

Extra police officers will be on patrol this weekend in areas of East Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire expected to be particularly busy as pubs and bars reopen with the easing of coronavirus restrictions, the Chief Constable of Humberside Police has said.

Image source, Lesley Martin/AFP via Getty Images

Teams will focus on places with "high concentrations of hospitality" such as Hull city centre, Beverley and Cleethorpes, according to Humberside Police.

Assistant Ch Con Paul Anderson said: "We want to make sure that as the restrictions are eased and more people begin to socialise, it’s an enjoyable and safe occasion for all.

"Having those extra officers out on the streets means that should any issues emerge, or if we find anyone to be behaving inappropriately, we can, and will, deal with them quickly.

"I want to be clear that behaving anti-socially or committing offences of any kind is wholly unacceptable and will not be tolerated," he added.

Government guidelines remain in place and "it's important to remember there's still a pandemic out there", the Chief Constable warned.

Three people have been charged with attempted murder after two shootings in Sheffield earlier this week.

Police were called to Errington Avenue at about 21:45 on Tuesday to reports of shots being fired. A few minutes later, more shots were fired in nearby Aylward Road.

Nobody was injured in the shootings.

Joshua Motteshead, 20, of St Aidan’s Avenue, Demi Dunford, 24, of Derby Street and Nicky Haycock, 22, of Ironside Close, have all been charged with attempted murder and remanded into police custody, South Yorkshire Police said.

They are due to appear at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court later.