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01
Jul 2022
'Eyesore' Knaresborough green reignites concerns about state of district
Overgrown grass on a community green in Knaresborough was cut this week following complaints from residents.
Homeowners on Appleby Green had described the site as an "eyesore".
After they raised their concerns with Harrogate Borough Council and contacted the Stray Ferret, the green was finally mown on Monday following a period of more than four weeks.
However, they remain sceptical that the maintenance, which they were promised would be fortnightly, will regularly continue.
The impact of staff shortages on the council's ability to maintain green spaces, plus its policy to re-wild parts of the district, has divided opinion. Some welcome the return to nature; others feel it looks untidy.
There are 200 houses on the Appleby Green estate, near the Nidd Gorge, with 14 situated around the green, overlooking the area.
Speaking on behalf of a number of homeowners, Stafford Dent said there had been numerous complaints raised over the last three years.
He said:
Appleby Green, before it was cut.
Mr Dent said residents were told by the parks manager that there weren't enough staff to maintain areas across the district and the teams were working "flat out".
However, Mr Dent said it had been an ongoing problem over recent years and the council therefore had "more than adequate time to manage staff attrition".
He added:
'Striking a balance'
A council spokesman said a programme of work was in place to cut the grass in parks and open spaces, verges and other areas managed by the authority.
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He said this was in addition to maintaining the numerous award-winning floral displays, for which the Harrogate district is well known for and attracts thousands of visitors every year.
He said:
Mr Dent said he believed the council had only cut the grass on Monday on the back of "all the noise that has been raised".
He said:
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