Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
04
Sept
In-depth: Latest revised boundary proposals for Harrogate district
Some council divisions in the Harrogate district have been revised once again.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for England came up with new proposals this week.
It followed opposition to the commission's previous plans in June from some political parties, the council and local residents.
The latest proposed amendments mainly affect rural areas, especially the Nidderdale, Washburn and Wharfedale areas.
Here the Stray Ferret takes a closer look at how the latest review will affect local boundaries.
A map showing the latest boundary proposals.
Nidderdale and Pateley Bridge
Divisions:
Upper Wharfedale and Upper Nidderdale
Lower Nidderdale
Pannal and Washburn
Killinghall and Scotton
Perhaps the most significant change in the boundary commission’s latest plans is redrawing divisions in the Nidderdale area.
Under proposals published in June, the organisation planned a Lower Nidderdale division based on proposals from the Liberal Democrats.
The divisions in Nidderdale, as proposed under the latest plans.
The division included parishes such as Brearton, Farnham, Ferrensby, Scriven and Scotton, which the commission at the time believed “align more closely” with the rural Nidderdale area.
However, the latest plans appear to have reconsidered the move amid opposition from the Harrogate and Knaresborough Conservative Association, the council’s Conservative group and the Harrogate and Knaresborough Constituency Labour Party. A local resident also objected to the plan.
Much of the opposition centred around the fact that the changes “did not reflect community identities”.
Instead, the division has been proposed to be renamed Killinghall and Scotton.
In a report outlining its reasons, the commission said:
We remain of the view that Killinghall parish should continue to be divided between divisions, and that two urban-focused Knaresborough divisions should be maintained.
However, we acknowledge that the name Lower Nidderdale is no longer appropriate, as it does not sufficiently reflect the division’s geography and constituent communities. We therefore recommend renaming the division Killinghall & Scotton, based on the larger settlements contained in the proposed division.
Further changes will also see the planned Wharfedale division amended.
Following opposition from political parties and local councillors, such as Councillor Nathan Hull, a Conservative who represents Washburn and Birstwith on North Yorkshire Council, the commission has proposed a "revised pattern of divisions" in the area.
It would see another Lower Nidderdale boundary created, which would include parishes such as Birstwith, Dacre, Bishop Thornton and Shaw Mills and Warsill, and an Upper Wharfedale & Upper Nidderdale division.
The move represents a departure from the commission's previous proposals, which would have seen a Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale division and a wider Wharfedale division created.
Meanwhile, a Pannal and Washburn division would also be created to capture areas in Pannal and Burn Bridge along with parishes in the Washburn valley.
The commission said:
While this results in the Nidderdale area being split across two divisions, we note that such a split has existed previously at ward level under the former Harrogate Borough Council.
We consider that our revised Lower Nidderdale division more accurately reflects the identity and extent of the communities that identify as part of lower Nidderdale, while our Pannal & Washburn division contains the communities which see themselves as part of the Washburn Valley.
Ripon and Boroughbridge
Divisions:
- Boroughbridge
- Ripon South
- Ripon Cathedral and Spa
- Ripon Canal and Ure
While the boundary commission has not made any significant changes to its suggested divisions in the Ripon and Boroughbridge area, there have been some minor revisions.
The names of the divisions remain the same as when the organisation published its proposals in June.
However, following suggestions from local parish councils and councillors, the boundaries for each division have been amended.
The Ripon and Boroughbridge divisions.
The boundary for Boroughbridge will now incorporate the parishes of Ellenthorpe, Humberton, Thornton Bridge, Milby and Kirby Hill following representations from Kirkby Hill & District Parish Council.
Meanwhile, the city of Ripon will be divided into three divisions — as suggested under previous proposals.
But the commission has sought to make some amendments to the boundaries.
It said:
We have decided to recommend some changes to Ripon Canal & Ure division. We recommend including the Ure Bank area, which we had placed in Ripon Cathedral & Spa division, in order to use the River Ure as a clearer and more identifiable boundary.
We also propose transferring the parishes of Bridge Hewick, Copt Hewick, Givendale and Newby with Mulwith from Ripon Canal & Ure division into the Dishforth & Topcliffe division.
Hammerton, Spofforth and Ouseburn
Divisions:
- Ouseburn and Hammerton
- Spofforth and Tockwith
The boundary commission has also made amendments to divisions to the south and east of Harrogate.
The organisation acknowledged that the River Ure and Ouse represented “significant physical boundaries” in the Ouseburn, Hammerton, Spofforth and Tockwith areas.
Hammerton, Ouseburn and Spofforth divisions.
Initially, the proposals published in June saw Ouseburn and Hammerton separated.
However, following representations from political parties, including Greens, and Green Hammerton Parish Council, Kirk Hammerton Parish Council, Whixley Parish Council and a local resident, the commission has included the two areas in a revised Ouseburn and Hammerton division.
Meanwhile, the division of Spofforth and Tockwith will largely remain the same apart from the inclusion of Long Marston within the boundary. The commission made this change after two residents pointed out that the parish was separated from Hammerton by the River Nidd.
What happens now?
A final six-week consultation on the proposals will run until October 13.
Following the consultation, a full set of final recommendations for North Yorkshire Council is scheduled to be published on January 14 next year.
To take part in the consultation, click here.
0