Katie Atkinson
Marton cum Grafton in Harrogate district area under attack, CPRENorthYorkshire comments!
Following more letters and calls from more concerned residents in the Harrogate area, we have responded to two planning applications in this small village in one day!
YDNP withdraws objection to enormous development on boundary
The YDNP withdrew its objection to the enormous proposed leisure site on its boundary earlier this year
CPRENorthYorkshire wrote to the CEO asking for an explanation and pointing out the flaws in this decision. The Craven Herald reported this story this week
Beggars belief that such an important site for biodiversity could possibly be relocated to an alternative site when it has already been established that the Flashes pay a key role in the continued success of the two nearby SSSi's!
We await the promised response from the YDNP
The YDNP have responded to our letter:
They state as one reason
The proposal is for a major development on the Park boundary. It is highly visible from the
A65 and from Hellifield but would be seen as an extension of the village in those short range
views. Conversely it is very difficult to find a clear view of the site from within the Park. The
development will affect views from within the Park but in our judgement the impact would be
limited and localised
Just take a peak at the photograph where the sun chose that particular moment to shine through and highlight the site FROM a trail within the park and a local view point within the Park known as the Edge.
Note also, this view point was used by a planning inspector in his decision to dismiss an appeal to increase the size of the Gallaber caravan and trailer home park
CPRE North Yorkshire are supporting Save OUR Craven Countryside - the local action group who campaign on behalf of residents with determination and dedication...
Some years ago Shaun Spiers, the former CEO of our national organisation visited the site and described it as "the wild west" when shown the site and the planning history.
Image courtesy of Save OUR Craven Countryside who are on facebook.
good article but somewhat contradicted by the Hellifield issue which wilst on the boundary, feeds into a declining SSSi
We don't always object - we offer positive advice and suggestions!
Richmondshire Local Authority is good...they frequently consult us regarding appications in the authority area
We examine all issues carefully and compare the appication to local comments received.
We have recently COMMENTED on an application at Silver Garth, in Richmond
An expert speaks.....about fracking
A good read in the Yorkshire Post today..
Brilliant news re Seggimire Lane and the TRO
We've received notification that the TRO in place on Seggimire Lane will be kept indefinitely making the order permanent!
Stephen Butcher, mentor and motivator
It is, with great sadness, that we have to say farewell to Stephen Butcher, who died earlier this month.
Stephen was a motivator, a mentor and a someone who reminded CPRENorthYorkshire why we do what we do. CPRENorthYorkshire will feel his loss deeply.
Stephen joined us in in 2009. He brought expertise and passion to our group, advising us on issues from farming to wildlife to National Parks to planning. Stephen was a gentleman with incredible humour and charm.
There really are no words to describe this great campaigner for our countryside.
From the Chair:
I will always smile at the memory of Stephen, he became a friend as well as mentor and motivator. He inspired me and reminded me daily that our work had to continue with passion, dedication and determination. There are not enough people like Stephen Butcher in this world. When Stephen farmed in the Yorkshire dales, he would mark out the nests of lapwings and curlews in the fields with golf flags so that the fields were cut around the nests, protecting the birds and their offspring. No one could ever match Stephen Butchers passion and commitment.
Stephen, we will remember you and I promise that we'll try to continue your desire to ensure that our countryside is valued, enhanced and protected! You're totally forgiven for being late for every meeting and I'm sorry our biscuits and cakes were not up to scratch! We're going to try to bring some of your charm and humour into countryside campaigning!
Thank you for every single thing you did for CPRENorthYorkshire.
Jules Marley, May 2018
The Biodiversity SUPERHIGHWAY!
The BBC today reported that our verges need help!
CPRE have been campaigning on this issue for years. The verges of England form part of something called the biodiversity super highway or a transport links for wildlife to improve and maintain connectivity of species.
Where safe, CPRENorthYorkshire litter picks our lanes and roadside verges however, we can't go near busy A road verges due to 'Elf and safety". This vital transport link to keep species of wildlife and flora thriving is much neglected. Not only is this major biodiversity trunk road threated with litter from cars and cyclers, it's hacked by councils creating more stress. We need to make sure visibility is maintained on our roads but this can be done with edge cutting, not the entire removal of the natural verge!
Carleton - 'out with' development limits where a council can display 5.49yr housing supply plus buffer!
It's small yes but it's another one in a conservation area in Craven where once again we have checked the file, looked at the full history and found that the balance is tipped - the harm far outweighs any perceived benefits.
Open countryside, out with development limits, heritage assets, foot paths ... heard it all before?
Local residents have contacted CPRENorthYorkshire regularly regarding Carleton, we have to listen to them as they keep coming back. They report that there's also the outstanding issue of the application at Grundy Farm where a developer is trying to gain approval on a site within conservation area yet the same developer owns brownfield land in the same village with approved permission for 20+ housing. Apparently the developer will not provide the 24 homes outside the conservation area on brownfield land if the council approve the four executive homes in the conservation area.... can this really be true?
North York Moors ... glorious!
A stunning image of the North York Moors National Park
Have you entered the CPRE North Yorkshire photography competition - contact the Branch for details - entry free to members
For more amazing North Yorkshire images, click on the instagram icon on our home page
Harrogate again - Almsford Stables Leeds Road 65 dwellings
Another application following the current trend of trying gain approval of sites through DM applications based on the lack of 5 year supply basis prior to the Examination in Public for the Harrogate district - this is another site which was considered by the council call for sites and then thrown out having been assessed by the SA!
A copy of our objection can be found below
