Harrogate Greens criticise 'lack of ambition' in 10-year parks and gardens plan

Harrogate Borough Council has released its new horticultural strategy which sets out how its almost 1,000-acres of green space should be managed over the next decade.

It includes plans for better disabled-friendly access at parks, extra measures to make sure dogs are kept on leads and the planting of wildflowers which the Green Party has welcomed.

However, party members have criticised the plan for a lack of ambition and detail, and are also calling on the council to set up a community steering group for greater public involvement in the proposals.

A party spokesperson said: "The strategy highlights the two priorities the public requested were biodiversity and working with the community. Now we need to see the council fulfil these asks.

"To successfully do this the 10 year strategy needs to be much more ambitious and join up with other key policies particularly those addressing the climate and ecological crises we face.

"Harrogate has lots of capacity in its local resources and its people– we just need them to come together to create the innovative solutions that only collaboration can achieve."

15 pictures looking back at Christmas nativities in Harrogate in late 2000s

Councillor Andrew Paraskos, the council's cabinet member with responsibility for the environment, said it was “disappointing" that the Green Party had criticised the strategy which he said was still in its early stages.

“It is disappointing that the Green Party has chosen to criticise the strategy given the fact this is the first time we’ve asked for views or published anything to help inform this area of our work," he said.

“The party has chosen to ignore the various other pieces of work that are taking place concurrently to the horticultural strategy.

“I am a member of the climate coalition group, and of course there are links to various other projects around issues such as green transport and cycling.

“It is in our power to make positive change, but we can’t do everything overnight. However, this strategy provides accountability and timescales to say what we are committed to doing and when.”

Councillor Paraskos approved the strategy at a meeting last month when it was agreed that details of more plans beyond 2022 would be published at a later date.

The proposals revealed so far also include a sensory garden, a review of grass cutting, outdoor events for children and research around the keeping of bees and production of honey at parks in the district.

The council looks after 391 hectares of parkland, seven miles of hedging, over 650 allotments and 60 play areas across the district.

It held a consultation last year when more than 300 respondents said community engagement, biodiversity awareness and parks maintenance should be the council's top priorities.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter