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11
Mar
Harrogate could get rain gardens and 'iconic' mural to celebrate spa heritage
Rain gardens and hydration stations could be installed in Harrogate as part of a £213,000 project that celebrates the town's spa heritage.
Called Harrogate H₂O: Past,Present, Future in Flow, the scheme would promote the town’s 'unique identity as a historic spa town' and deliver 'modern sustainability and community wellbeing benefits'.
A large mural featuring Harrogate's spa history would be the 'iconic centrepiece' of the installations.
North Yorkshire Council has bid for £200,000 from York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority for the initiative.
The remaining £13,000 will be sought from the Rivers Trust charity.
Helen Jackson, the council's head of regeneration, outlined details of the proposed scheme in a report published this week.
It would also include 'spa-inspired signage' directing to walking trails connecting heritage sites, gardens and water features.
The water refill points would be branded 'H₂O' to promote 'sustainable tourism and reducing plastic waste'.
Ms Jackson said in her report that volunteers would help deliver the project, including the new signs and rain gardens.
The council is creating town investment plans to guide future investment decisions for towns, and the city of Ripon, in North Yorkshire.
The report said this project was part of that initaive.
Ms Jackson said:
Community and business engagement has been undertaken as part of the town investment plans programme and demonstrated support for the type of intervention that this project will address.
The project received support from Harrogate BID, Harrogate Town Council and Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust.
In a decision notice published on Tuesday (March 10), the council said the move would help to “support a priority regeneration project”.
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