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20
May 2021
Last Updated: 20/05/2021
Decision to let Walkers Passage grow wild divides opinion
Harrogate Borough Council says the move improves biodiversity and reduces anti-social behaviour — but one local resident disagrees.
Harrogate Borough Council has stopped mowing the grass around Walkers Passage to reduce anti-social behaviour and improve biodiversity.
Walkers Passage is a popular cut through between the Stray and Harcourt Drive.
Geoff Davy, a local resident, told the Stray Ferret the grass was previously mown "about a dozen times a year."
But this year only narrow strips near the path have been mown. The rest of the small park is being allowed to grow long, a decision that Mr Davy criticised:
"It's unpleasant to look at and it's unpleasant to be in. Families and people with small children won't come here to play."
Read more:
- "Victory for the people!": Harrogate's plastic grass removed
- Ripon council to buy CCTV camera to tackle anti-social behaviour
A council spokesperson told the Stray Ferret the decision to stop mowing the grass had been taken for two reasons: to reduce anti-social behaviour, and to increase biodiversity.
Mr Davy said:
"It's not working, letting that place go derelict. It's not stopping anti-social behaviour and drug-dealing."
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