Thank you for your interest in this story

To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week

Already a subscriber? Log in here.

Jun 2021

Last Updated: 09/06/2021

Environment

Big thumbs-up for Harrogate district's new wild look

by Thomas Barrett

| 09 Jun, 2021

There was a massive reaction to our story yesterday about the Harrogate district's parks and green spaces being left to grow wild to improve biodiversity and attract bees, birds and insects. Here's what people are saying.

Our story yesterday about the Harrogate district being left to grow wild to improve biodiversity and attract bees, birds and insects provoked a huge amount of interest.

Harrogate Borough Council has left large swathes of green spaces untouched by mowers and strimmers.

Even the neat and orderly Stray has a different look to previous years.

It's a thorny subject for the district, which prides itself on its well tended, floral appearance.

Almost 100 people commented on our Facebook page, and the vast majority gave the new approach the thumbs-up.

One person praised the wildflower "anarchy" on display.

"I love it! Wild flowers are never untidy - just a bit anarchic!!"

'The wilder the better'

Another reader called Harrogate Borough Council "brave" for taking the new approach.

"The wilder the better for wildflowers, insects and other wildlife. Well done Harrogate Borough Council for taking such a brave approach and not bowing to the ‘tidy brigade’. Currently it’s only a tiny percentage of our green space but it’s a start!"

Harrogate’s ‘rewilding’: untidy or biodiversity boon?

Wildflower planting starts on the Stray tomorrow

Someone on our Twitter page said other parts of Harrogate were also looking better:

"It’s great - not just on The Stray but also in other places like along Wetherby Road near Woodlands. Looks great with the buttercups in flower."

However, there were some dissenting voices. Several people accused the council of not cutting the grass to save money.

Another accused it of "hypocrisy" due to the scale of housebuilding in the district.

The Stray Ferret reported last year that green spaces the size of over 700 football pitches will be lost to housing.

"The crocuses and planted up flower beds also attract many bees and many insects but oh wait, the council are selling the horticulture nurseries on Harlow for yet more housing.

"Total double standards but they they’ll cut maintenance costs and make money from developers."

How wild is your neighbourhood? Send us pics and give us your views. Email us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk

Thank you for your interest in this story

Big thumbs-up for Harrogate district's new wild look

'The wilder the better'

Read more: