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25
Aug 2024
'No plans’ to remove fencing in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens
Fencing erected in Harrogate’s Crescent Gardens almost a year ago sees no sign of being removed.
Fences were put up to block a group of rough sleepers in October, who set up an encampment in the pavilion last September.
The group remained there for two weeks, during which nearby residents complained of anti-social behaviour from those sleeping at the site.
They were eventually dispersed from the site but subsequently returned shortly after.
After being removed from the pavilion once more, North Yorkshire Council put the fencing in place to prevent similar camps forming. Until now, the move has been labelled “temporary”.
The Stray Ferret has covered the saga extensively over the last year and has repeatedly tried to find out what long-term measures would be put in place to stop rough sleeping camps.
We have also asked the council what provisions are on offer to those in need of accommodation.
Now nearly 12 months on, the fencing seems to have become a more permanent measure – with “no plans” to remove the fencing on the horizon.
The council’s assistant director for housing, Andrew Rowe, told the Stray Ferret:
There are currently no plans to remove the fencing and reopen the pavilion. In the meantime, we are considering ways to make the site more visually appealing and exploring all options for a more permanent solution.
We continue to support homeless people by providing 60 units of temporary accommodation. We also work closely with Harrogate Homeless project, which provides supported accommodation. During severe weather we also offer additional provision.
Earlier this year, the Stray Ferret published an investigative series called Trading Hell. It looked into anti-social behaviour faced by business owners in Harrogate.
Some traders did not feel confident that such offences would be dealt with by authorities, and some even pointed the finger at rough sleepers as the root cause.
You can read our Trading Hell feature on homeless charity, Harrogate Homeless Project, here.
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