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06
Mar
Harrogate Pinewoods' asset of community value designation extended
Harrogate’s Pinewoods has been designated as an asset of community value for a third time.
The 96-acre woodland, which is accessible from Crag Lane, Harlow Moor Road and the Valley Gardens, was first awarded the designation in 2015. It was renewed five years later.
Pinewoods Conservation Group applied to North Yorkshire Council for the site to be designated an asset of community value for a third time after its latest renewal expired in March 2025.
The moves means the council, which owns the Pinewoods, would need to consult on any disposal of the land. It would also give the community six months to raise funds to buy the land on the open market should it be put up for sale.
A council decision notice said the woodlands were highly valued by the local community. It said:
The nomination and information available demonstrate that the Pinewoods is well-used and highly valued by the local community of Harrogate, with local residents using the site frequently for recreational activities.
The Pinewoods will now be placed on the authority’s asset of community value register.
Neil Hind, chair of Pinewoods Conservation Group, said:
We are pleased that the Pinewoods has maintained its important status of an asset of community value.
The council report confirms that the woodland is of critical value to the residents of Harrogate and that the work of the charity is acknowledged and appreciated.
We know that development threats remain to the woodland and this additional legal protection is vital in maintaining its future.
The designation comes as a proposal for Harrogate Spring Water to fell 500 trees in a section of the Pinewoods known as Rotary Wood is awaiting a decision.
The company, which is owned by French multi-national Danone, wants to expand its Harlow Moor Road bottling plant.
Harrogate Spring Water says the scheme will boost the local economy and a proposed community woodland would compensate for the loss of trees.
But North Yorkshire Council, which owns the land and will determine the planning application, has received 1,016 objections to the scheme and just 11 expressions of support.
The council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.
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