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07
May 2021
Harrogate Borough Council has defended its decision to install fake grass in the town centre despite an overwhelmingly negative response.
The Stray Ferret's article that broke the news yesterday received well over 150 replies on Facebook and nearly all of them criticised the move.
Comments ranged from "it looks cheap and tacky" to "wasting council tax money yet again" to "who actually sat there thinking this was a cracking idea?".
Some people felt artificial grass undermined Harrogate's reputation as an upmarket, floral town.
Organisations also spoke out against the move.
Henry Pankhurst, who represents Harrogate Civic Society on planning issues, said:
The Stray Defence Association was concerned about the environmental impact, tweeting:
The council has so far declined to reveal the cost of the scheme. But a spokeswoman said the move had received "lots of positive feedback". She added:
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