A community woodland in Harrogate can be an “example to others”, says the secretary of Longlands Common.
Chris Kitson, secretary of project, said the move to buy the land showed that people do not want any relief road built on the greenbelt and that the idea can be replicated elsewhere.
Longlands Common Ltd, a community benefit society founded in February 2020, held an open day for members and an annual general meeting today where a board was elected and the first tree planting ceremony was held.
It was the first time that the committee had been able to meet with its supporters since the start of the covid pandemic.
Around 3,000 people bought shares in the land. An appeal raised £375,000 to purchase 30 acres of land near Nidderdale Greenway and protect it from development.
Read more:
- Long Lands Common set to open to members for the first time
- Dreams become reality as district’s first community woodland is secured
Mr Kitson told the Stray Ferret after the meeting that he hoped the project will be an example for others and would be a “turning point” in attitudes towards nature.
He said:
“This is the people of Harrogate saying: ‘we don’t want a road through here ever’.
“This is the greenbelt. This is the only sort of wildlife corridor in the area and the wildlife depend on it.
“It’s an act of utter recklessness to think that they can just put a road through it and continue to get away with this development and devastation of wildlife and the environment.
“Hopefully today is a turning point in our outlook and thinking. Hopefully we can be an example to others.
“We as people who want a decent planet for our children to live on can do it now. We can do it ourselves, we don’t have to wait around for people in high office.”
He described meeting members who had supported the project as a “beacon of hope”.
Mr Kitson added:
“People have parted with their hard earned money to create something like this.
“This is now our land.”
The future of Long Lands Common, once earmarked for a relief road, finally looks secure for wildlife.
It is first and foremost a nature reserve but the goal is for the public to enjoy it too