From housing to local economic initiatives, 2025 is set to include a range of projects which will change the face of the district.

In this article, the Stray Ferret previews some of those major developments which will be considered.

Harrogate Spring Water

The long-running saga over Harrogate Spring Water’s expansion plans into Rotary Wood is expected to come to a head this year.

The company, which is owned by French multi-national Danone, wants to fell 500 trees in a section of the Pinewoods known as Rotary Wood at the back of its headquarters on Harlow Moor Road to make space for the expansion.

It already has outlined permission, which it received in 2017. But it cannot proceed until its current reserved matters application, which deals with appearance, size and landscaping, is approved by the council.

The company's previous reserved matters application was rejected by Harrogate councillors in 2021.

After a lengthy public consultation, it submitted revised plans in October.

After more than 1,000 objections and years of debate, councillors are expected to vote on the new plans early this year. But that is unlikely to be the end of the matter as Danone would still need to secure ownership of the land from the council.

Ripon Cathedral annexe

The fate of another contentious planning application could also be determined this year.

The proposal to build an £8 million annexe next to Ripon Cathedral has caused division in the city ever since it was first tabled.

Even the former Archbishop of Canterbury weighed in on the issue before later withdrawing his objection.

Supporters who back the cathedral’s plan say it will help to keep it on stable financial footing, provide more community facilities and and yield other significant public benefits to the city, such as more visitors.

However, opponents argue that the move would see the loss of trees and “public space”. A petition calling to save the trees in Minister Gardens attracted more than 3,000 signatures.

A final decision on the proposal could be made in spring although the timeframe remains unclear.

But the plans suffered a blow when they failed to attract support from Ripon City Council in December. But government body Historic England did offer its backing.

The ultimate decision will be down to North Yorkshire Council.

Local plan

Ever since the Labour government took power in July, with plans to build 1.5 million homes in five years, the topic of planning and housebuilding has been at the forefront of the political agenda.

Ministers have unveiled sweeping reforms to the planning system, including moves to “streamline” the decision making process which could bypass local councillors.

The reforms will affect each area’s local plan — documents that outline where development can take place. 

North Yorkshire Council was in the process of drawing up a new local plan before Labour came to power. This blueprint is now having to be revised.

But the government’s proposed housing targets — which could see North Yorkshire housing need increase to over 4,000 homes a year — has already caused concern in some quarters.

Cllr John Mann, who chairs the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency planning committee, called for a moratorium on any new housing sites being allocated to the west of Harrogate amid concerns over infrastructure.

Knaresborough chair lift and land train

The last 12 months has seen movement on two schemes to improve Knaresborough's tourism and connectivity.

One idea is a lift connecting the steep divide between Waterside and the town centre.

The proposal has long been debated in the town, but 2024 saw a feasibility study get underway at the cost of £20,000.

However, little has been revealed from the study since — perhaps this year will provide an update on whether this is a serious possibility.

Another idea was a land train to help locals and visitors get around.

This proposal was all set to be trialled at the end of October in a £15,000 feasibility study.

However, plans to get the land train on the road were postponed a week before its trial amid concerns about whether Waterside could cope.

Knaresborough & District Chamber, which has been at the forefront of pushing the initiative forward, said the timetable to get the land train finalised had “proved impossible”.

It now plans to trial a land train on the streets of Knaresborough in Easter.