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14
Apr 2022
Review into how Harrogate’s 'underused' Stray can be better used for events
A review is to be launched into how Harrogate’s “vastly underused” Stray can better be used for events.
The town’s popular Valley Gardens and other green spaces will also be included in the review, which aims to ensure the district “is gaining maximum social and economic benefit from these assets.”
As one of Harrogate’s best known landmarks, the Stray is 200 acres of parkland that sits on the edge of the town centre.
Despite its prime location, it is rarely used for large events as it is protected by legislation.
The Stray Act 1985 states that the parkland can only be used for events on 35 days a year, and it is Harrogate Borough Council that decides which events can go ahead.
The council, which will be abolished next year, is now planning to launch a review this year into how the Stray can be better used, although this won’t include a change in legislation.
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Speaking at a meeting on Tuesday, Cllr Chris Aldred said the Stray is “vastly underused” by people in Harrogate and that they should be encouraged to use it more often through events.
Cllr Aldred said:
The Stray is owned by the Duchy of Lancaster, and Harrogate Borough Council has responsibility for protecting and managing the parkland.
Damage during cycling event
It was infamously used during the UCI Road World Championships in 2019 when parts of the Stray used as a spectator area for the cycling event were badly damaged during heavy rain.
The race organisers Yorkshire 2019 later contributed £35,500 towards the repair costs, with an extra £95,000 of council cash being spent on upgrades.
Before the event could be held, the government had to grant permission for the Stray to be used for events beyond the permitted 35 days a year.
This was also the case for the Tour de Yorkshire in 2016 when Harrogate hosted part of the cycle race.
The new review into how the Stray can be better used will be led by the council’s tourism body Destination Harrogate, which has an overall aim to position the district as a “first choice destination for tourism, large-scale events and investment”.
Gemma Rio, head of Destination Harrogate, told Tuesday’s meeting:
John McGivern, events manager at Destination Harrogate, also said:
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