A full planning and listed building consent application has been submitted to North Yorkshire Council for the redevelopment of Manor Farm, off Moor Lane, near Thirsk.

The scheme would see the farmhouse and agricultural buildings converted into a restaurant, with luxury guest accommodation including a swimming pool and spa.

A total of 15 guest bedrooms are proposed, as well as six boutique accommodation pods, an orchard and nuttery, a parking area and two extensions to outbuildings.

A masterplan of the proposal for Manor Farm, Thirsk.

Polytunnels, a water treatment plant and an area for solar panels are also planned.

The application has been filed by applicants Letty and William Hunter Bell to complement the existing Thirsk Lodge Barns business.

Supporting documents state: “Following the success of Thirsk Lodge Barns, where over 200 weddings and events are hosted per year, there is a need to enhance the offering, and provide additional accommodation which would look to cater for the wider wedding party.

“The proposals would also enable a standalone boutique hotel with garden and spa facilities for public use when not in private use for weddings.”

The nearby Thirsk Lodge Barns site was created after being given planning permission in 2019.

Agents for the applicants say the Manor Farm site would be redeveloped using the same ethos.

They add: “Manor Farm is a Grade II listed building, with substantial structural defects. The change of use will facilitate the repair and stabilising of this listed building for the future.

“The public benefits arising from the proposal clearly outweigh the specific and limited instances of harm identified to the listed building and its traditional farm buildings.”

Natural England said it had no objections to the scheme.

North Yorkshire Council’s ecology team said there were “quite complex” protected species issues on this site involving bats, badgers, nesting
birds and barn owls.

However, they said “clear and comprehensive” mitigation and compensation measures had been put forward.

Dorothy Dinsdale, who lives at Cedar Court Residential and Nursing Home, in Seaham, is one of the contributors featured in Sanctuary Care’s cookbook, A Lifetime of Flavours: Celebrating Food, Family and the Lives Behind Beloved Recipes.

The cookbook includes 42 recipes from care home residents across the UK, all aged between 70 and 105.

Miss Dinsdale’s dish, Gran’s Mince Pot, is a layered meal of mince, onion, red Leicester cheese, chopped tomatoes, and thinly sliced potato.

She said: “At the age of 93, I didn’t expect anything like this to happen to me.

“I’m so glad this has happened, it has been such a good experience.”

She fondly remembers making it for her late husband Stanley, as well as for her daughter Anne and son-in-law Gordon when they returned home from hospital with their newborn, Sophie.

Louise Palmer, director of operations at Sanctuary Care, said: “Moving into a care home isn’t about leaving your old life behind, but continuing the things that bring you joy.

“Whether it’s recreating a childhood recipe or baking with friends, our chefs work closely with residents to make every mealtime meaningful, and A Lifetime of Flavours is a celebration of that love of food, family, and the lives behind it.”

The cookbook is part of Sanctuary Care’s Enriching Lives Framework, which focuses on maintaining identity, purpose, and joy in later life.

To order with a donation to Mental Health UK click here.

The book celebrates ‘continuity,’ one of the six senses of the framework, by showing how residents can carry on lifelong passions and traditions, such as cooking, even after moving into a care home.

Sanctuary Care is a not-for-profit care provider with 109 homes across the UK.

The cookbook raises funds for Mental Health UK and has already generated more than £4,700.

It is available to download for free or can be ordered in print for a donation, with all proceeds supporting the charity.

The book also features a foreword by 2023 Great British Bake Off winner Matty Edgell, who shares how food shaped his own family memories.

Lincoln Pawlak, a centre-back from Yarm, and Alex Pavan, a winger from Northallerton, are juggling a football apprenticeship at League One side Doncaster Rovers with a full-time academic programme at Hartlepool College of Further Education.

The students, both 17 years old, are working towards a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sports Coaching, equivalent to three A-levels, alongside daily training sessions at Doncaster’s Cantley Park.

Alex Pavan looks on as Lincoln Pawlak does push ups (Image: HCFE)

Their progress on and off the pitch has already led to success, with Lincoln recently earning a two-year professional contract with Doncaster.

Lincoln said: “The college has been great – the course is really engaging as it aligns with what we’re doing in the apprenticeship, and both aspects of work mix together well.

“I’ve been able to take the learning from the academic course and apply it to the apprenticeship and vice versa.

“I’m looking forward to having a good qualification to fall back on if needed.

Lincoln Pawlak with Hartlepool College’s former Doncaster winger Ian Clark (Image: HCFE)

“I’m excited to move on in life and have that safety net no matter what happens.”

Lincoln is on loan at Ossett Town.

Alex, who is on loan at Hebburn, said: “The college course is very enjoyable and the teachers are supportive.

“We learn about lots of aspects of sport that support our football training, for example, content around diet and nutrition.

“At Doncaster Rovers the training is high quality, but I know my education and qualifications will always be there.”

Ian Clark, head of performance at Hartlepool College and a former Doncaster Rovers winger, said: “After teaching Lincoln and Alex last year, both lads had the opportunity at the start of the 25/26 season to move to League One side Doncaster Rovers.

“We were then approached by Doncaster and the players to continue and complete their full 12-unit Extended Diploma.

“The lads come in around their training schedule and work very hard and diligently to complete work.

“Their attitude and application is outstanding.

“More fantastic news was the fact Lincoln was given a two-year professional contract in October and both players often train with the first team.

“We as a college are proud of their achievements.”

Stuart Swift, head of academy at Doncaster Rovers, said: “Both Lincoln and Alex have applied themselves really well in our building since joining the club.

“They have both contributed to the U18 achievements so far and are developing individually.

“They have a good work ethic which you can see from the work they are doing at Hartlepool College and engage with analysis and the wider multi-disciplinary team programme.

“Both lads are now gaining experience on loan in non-league which is imperative to their individual journeys and gaining an understanding of senior men’s football.”

Many people assume that medicines sold over the counter are inherently safe. After all, if you can buy something in a supermarket or high street pharmacy, how dangerous can it really be?

The reality is more complicated. Several commonly used over-the-counter medicines carry a real risk of dependence, misuse or harm when taken in higher than recommended doses, for longer than needed, or for the wrong reasons. Here are five medicines it is worth knowing about.

1. Codeine-based painkillers

Codeine is an opioid medicine used to treat mild to moderate pain and, in some formulations, to suppress coughing. Over the counter, it is usually combined with either ibuprofen or paracetamol. Once swallowed, the body converts codeine into morphine, which produces its pain-relieving effects.

Common side effects include drowsiness, constipation, nausea and dizziness. At higher doses, codeine can slow breathing and impair coordination. Some people are particularly vulnerable. Ultra-rapid metabolisers carry a genetic variant that causes them to convert codeine into morphine much faster than usual. This trait is more common in people of North African, Middle Eastern and Oceanian backgrounds and can lead to dangerous side effects even at standard doses.

With repeated use, the body can also become tolerant to codeine, meaning the same dose no longer provides the same relief. This process, known as tolerance, occurs as the brain’s opioid receptors adapt to the drug. People may then increase their dose, raising the risk of physical dependence. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, restlessness, sweating and sleep problems.

To reduce these risks, codeine should be used for the shortest time possible. In the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency limits pack sizes to 32 tablets and advises non-prescription products should be used for no more than three days.

2. Decongestants

Decongestants are available as tablets containing pseudoephedrine or as nasal sprays and drops such as xylometazoline and oxymetazoline. Both work by narrowing blood vessels in the nasal passages, reducing swelling and mucus.

Overusing nasal sprays can lead to rebound congestion, known medically as rhinitis medicamentosa. Over time, the medication becomes less effective, a phenomenon called tachyphylaxis. This can trap people in a cycle of increasing use, worsening congestion and dependence.

Long-term overuse can damage the lining of the nose, causing dryness, nosebleeds and, in severe cases, perforation of the nasal septum. Many users also develop a psychological dependence on the spray. Most guidance recommends limiting use to three to five days.

Pseudoephedrine also has mild stimulant effects. Although evidence for improved athletic performance is mixed, its stimulant properties mean it appears on the list of substances banned in competition. It is also used illicitly to make methamphetamine, which is why strict sales controls remain in place following a 2016 review.

3. Sleeping tablets

Promethazine and diphenhydramine are sedating antihistamines sold as short-term sleep aids. Recent research has linked sedating antihistamines to rising numbers of deaths, prompting calls for a review of how they are supplied.

Promethazine can quickly lead to tolerance, meaning higher doses are needed to achieve the same effect. Some long-term users report severe rebound insomnia when they try to stop.

It is also used recreationally in “purple drank”, a mixture of cough syrup that contains promethazine and soft drinks. This combination can cause extreme sedation, slowed breathing and serious harm.

4. Cough syrups

Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a common cough suppressant. A 2021 review found it was the most frequently misused over-the-counter medicine studied. At high doses, it blocks NMDA receptors in the brain, which can cause dissociative effects similar to ketamine. While safe at recommended doses, its psychoactive effects have raised concerns about misuse.

5. Laxatives

Stimulant laxatives trigger the gut muscles to move stool along. They are often misused by people with eating disorders, athletes in weight-restricted sports, or those who believe daily bowel movements are essential. In reality, constipation is usually defined as fewer than three bowel movements a week.

Research shows stimulant laxatives do not prevent calorie absorption, despite common myths. Instead, misuse can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and long-term damage to the gut, with serious effects on the heart and kidneys in severe cases. In 2020, the MHRA introduced new rules on pack sizes and warnings.

The common thread linking these medicines is not that they are inherently dangerous, but that their risks are often underestimated. Over-the-counter availability can create a false sense of security, particularly when medicines are bought online without professional advice. While regulators have taken steps, research suggests misuse persists. Over the counter does not always mean risk free, and better awareness could help keep these medicines useful rather than harmful.

The council needs cash for the coming years

Car parks, toilets, derelict schools, a town hall and a former library are all to be sold by cash-strapped Trafford council in a bid to generate money.

Recent weeks have revealed the extent of the authority’s financial woes, with bosses needing a loan of more than £12 million from the Government to balance the books – something they are legally bound to do. Residents are also set to be hit by one of the highest council tax rises in the country after special dispensation was given for a 7.49pc hike in the charge for the second year running.

But these measures are still not enough to solve the problem. Some £17 million of savings are lined up for the coming years, while Trafford is also looking to sell off land and buildings to bring in some more cash.

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Among the assets expected to be disposed of are Altrincham Town Hall and the former Altrincham Library, documents reveal. Two disused schools, the former Moss View Primary School site, in Partington, and the former Trafford High School site, in Flixton, also feature on the list.

A number of car parks, a block of toilets, the former Davyhulme Youth Centre and the Jubilee Centre – a community centre in Bowdon – are also proposed for disposal. Trafford has said it needs to generate around £10 million through land and property sales to fund its capital programme over the coming years.

Capital funds are money set aside for projects, as opposed to day-to-day operational costs. A full list of the sites planned to be sold can be found below.

All of the sites listed have been labelled “surplus” by the authority, which said getting rid of them would reduce its costs and its maintenance backlog while also creating regeneration opportunities.

The authority has also identified a number of areas it wants to redevelop itself, either alone or as a joint venture, to increase the potential for profit generation from them in future years. These include the former Sale Magistrates site, in Altrincham, and land in Lacy Street, Stretford, where the former probation office once stood.

Sites to be sold

1. Former RBS Bank, Central Road, Partington
2. Stamford Quarter and Stretford Mall
3. Former Altrincham Library, Stamford New Road, Altrincham (1st Floor and ground floor)
4. The Jubilee Centre, St Marys Road, Bowdon
5. Wharf Road Garages, Altrincham
6. Altrincham Town Hall
7. Land at Balmoral Road, Altrincham
8. Land at Central Way, Altrincham
9. Brown Street Car Park, Hale
10. Land at Irlam Road, Flixton
11. Land at Lime Road, Stretford
12. Land in Davenport Green
13. Land at Seymour Grove, Old Trafford
14. Former Primary School, Moss View, Partington
15. Former Trafford High School
16. Redundant Cemetery Chapels – subject to operational review
17. Land at Keswick Rd, Moss Road, Old Trafford
18. Land off City Road, Old Trafford, M15 4FA
19. Car Park Eleventh Street, Trafford Park, M17 1JF
20. Toilets, Third Avenue, Trafford Park
21. Former Davyhulme Youth Centre, Davyhulme
22. Priory Road, Bowdon
23. Land at Firsway, Sale – New Access to site
24. Car Park Empress Street, Old Trafford, M16 9EN

Sites to be redeveloped

1. Partington Town Centre Site (land to the rear of Partington Shopping Centre)
2. Former Sale Magistrates Site
3. Stokoe Avenue, Altrincham
4. Former Tamworth Court Site, Old Trafford
5. Chapel Road, Sale
6. K Site, Stretford
7. Lacy Street Land Assembly, Former Sorting Office, Probation Service Building, Lacy Street Car Park
8. Land at Oakfield Rd/Moss Lane, Altrincham

John Swinney is on course to remain as First Minister despite the Nationalists facing a “clear sense of voter disillusionment after nearly two decades in office”.

The SNP is close to winning a majority of MSPs at the Holyrood election in May despite “voter disillusionment” with the party’s 20 years in power, a new poll has found.

A survey out today by More in Common puts support for the Nationalists at 33 per cent on the constituency vote and 31 per cent on the list. If such a result was replicated on polling day it could hand John Swinney 64 MSPs – one short of an overall majority.

The SNP leader has argued that if his party hits the magic number of 65 it should act as a mandate to begin negotiations with the UK Government to stage a second referendum on independence.

Labour and Reform UK are currently fighting it out for second place, with Anas Sarwar’s party on 19 per cent in the constituency vote – just one point ahead Nigel Farage’s outfit. The two parties are tied at 16 per cent on the list.

That could leave Labour with just 16 MSPs, while Reform could end up with 17.

The survey is especially bad for the Scottish Conservatives who stand to lose more than half of their MSPs, ending up with just 12 elected members.

Luke Tryl of More in Common said the SNP could win big at the election thanks to the “highly fragmented” nature of the Scottish electorate – with no opposition party providing a clear alternative to the Nationalists.

The pollster said: “Despite a big fall in support since 2021 and a clear sense of voter disillusionment after nearly two decades in office, our latest modelling suggests the SNP could emerge from the next Holyrood election within touching distance of an outright majority.

“At a time when incumbent governments across the UK and beyond are facing a powerful anti-incumbent mood, Scotland might prove something of an exception.

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“Because of the first-past-the-post system for the constituency vote, the SNP could receive a significant boost from a highly fragmented Scottish electorate. Additionally, much of the disillusionment among Scottish voters is directed at Westminster as well as Holyrood, limiting Labour’s ability to position itself as a clear anti-incumbent alternative to the SNP.

“In this context, we’re likely to see a Reform UK breakthrough on the horizon. On their current level of support, it’s possible that Reform could be competing with Labour for second place in Holyrood.”

Keith Brown, SNP depute leader, said: “This poll shows Scottish voters are putting their faith in John Swinney’s strong leadership which is firmly on Scotland’s side amid chaos from Westminster.

“As the Westminster parties tear themselves apart over scandals, John Swinney’s relentless focus has been on Scotland’s NHS, the cost of living crisis and offering people hope through a fresh start with independence.”

A spokesperson for Reform UK said: “It is clear from the poll that the SNP has run out of steam and ideas. After two decades of managed decline the people are ready for reform.

“The SNP has made everything is worse from the public services to town centres. The tax burden is weighing heavily on Scottish people and we will change that.

“They are fed up and this poll only further confirms what Reform has said all along. This is a two-horse race. We are going head-to-head with SNP.”

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