Fears Nidderdale could become ‘barren’ unless more affordable homes are built

A lack of affordable homes in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is forcing young and low-paid families to move away, a meeting has heard.

Members of Harrogate Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny commission last night called for greater action to bring forward more affordable homes in the area, which has seen average property prices climb to around £320,000, according to Zoopla.

The AONB covers around two-thirds of the Harrogate district but only has 9% of its population and councillor Tom Watson, who represents the Nidd Valley ward, expressed fears that it could become “barren”.

He said:

“If we don’t have small developments in the area, village schools are going to close, pubs are already on the way out and village shops are also going to go.

“The AONB is there to protect the countryside, but we have got to make sure the area is a living one and not barren.”

227 households on waiting list

Created in 1994, the AONB was introduced to conserve the countryside with levels of protection from developments.

A total of 253 homes were recently proposed at sites in Darley, Dacre, Summerbridge and Pateley Bridge under the council’s Harrogate district Local Plan 2014-35. But government planning inspector ruled that they would have had too great an impact.

Since then, a growing number of residents have struggled to get a footing on the property ladder with 227 households currently on the council’s waiting list for social housing in Upper Nidderdale.

And with an average of just 20 vacancies becoming available each year, the waiting list would take around 10 years to clear if no more households came forward.

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Councillor Pat Marsh, leader of the council’s Liberal Democrats, described the situation as “really sad” and said efforts to build affordable homes on small plots of council-owned land were only a “tiny drop in the ocean”.

Council planners said they were also demanding affordable homes be built at developments of more than 10 properties to try tackle the problem.

Smaller profits

However, Jenny Kerfoot, executive officer for housing growth at the council, said landowners were often reluctant to bring forward plans for affordable housing because of the smaller profits involved.

She added the council was hopeful these landowners have “given up hope that their land is worth a lot of money” now that the Local Plan has been adopted and any large developments have been ruled out.

She said:

“There won’t be any of these big sites in the AONB or predominantly for market housing so it’s our intention now to approach those landowners.”

Councillor Victoria Oldham, a Conservative who represents the Washburn ward, said another possible solution would be the conversion of disused farm buildings, but she added any new developments were often met with opposition from locals.

She said:

“We all know little pockets of land in the area where a pair of semis could easily go, but half of the problem would be the negativity from parish councils or people in the immediate vicinity.

“I’m pretty much against large developments in the AONB because we haven’t got the transport facilities. A lot of places don’t even have shops or post offices – and you can forget banking.

“But one or two houses in areas would be of benefit as something needs to be done.”

 

Memories of Scar House reservoir wanted as it celebrates centenary

People are being invited to submit memories, photos and documents relating to Scar House reservoir, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

When the reservoir was built, it was seen as one of the most ambitious civil engineering projects in Britain.

It was the focal point of the Nidd Valley reservoir scheme, and had a huge impact on Nidderdale, with hundreds of workers moving to the area to work on the scheme.

A temporary village called Scar was built to house the workforce and their families during the construction of the reservoir from 1921 to 1936. At its peak, the village housed 1,250 people.

The village had luxuries, such as flushing toilets and a 600-seat cinema. It had its own tennis courts, a fire brigade, hospital and fish and chip shop. A 13 mile (21km) light railway from Pateley Bridge was also installed.

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Elizabeth Bishop, information officer at Nidderdale AONB, said:

“As the village buildings were sold off and dismantled in the 1930s, nothing much remains of this special place. It would be fantastic if more information came to light on this anniversary to help tell more of its fascinating story.”

The reservoir, which supplies water to Bradford, is now owned by Yorkshire Water.

Lisa Harrowsmith, lead surveyor at Yorkshire Water, said:

“We would love to hear from you if you have family members who were involved in the construction at Scar House, or were affected by it. We’re looking for stories, photographs and any memorabilia relating to the construction or early years of the reservoirs life, to help us celebrate its 100th anniversary.

“The world is very different to when work began to build Scar House 100 years ago – but despite the reservoir’s age, it continues to play a key role in the water process.”

If you’d like to get involved in marking the centenary or have information you’d like to share, contact Nidderdale AONB at nidderdaleaonb@harrogate.gov.uk

Post-Brexit grants available for Nidderdale farmers

Farmers and landowners in Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty can apply for land management grants.

Farming in Protected Landscapes is a government-funded three-year programme to support those who manage land in AONBs and national parks across the UK.

The funding is part of the government’s agricultural transition plan after Brexit and the end of EU subsidies.

Iain Mann, manager at Nidderdale AONB, said:

“Projects will need to deliver a positive outcome in at least one of the four key areas.

“These are: climate, such as flood risk reduction or carbon storage; nature, with improved habitats for biodiversity; people, with better access or engagement with the land; and place, which includes enhancing the character of the land, its historic features, or increasing the business resilience of farms.”

Examples of suitable projects could be action to reduce carbon emissions or use of plastics on farms, enhancing habitat for wildlife, improving access on public footpaths, promoting a series of farm walks, conserving historical features on the land, or farm diversification to provide tourism activities, such as stargazing or dawn chorus walks.

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All farmers and landowners within the AONB can apply – including those from the private, public and charity sector. Other organisations and individuals are eligible too, as long as they are collaborating or supporting a farmer or land manager.

AONB staff will decide which applications under £5,000 to accept.

Grant requests for over £5,000 will be assessed by a local assessment panel, made up of representatives from Nidderdale AONB, Natural England and the farming and land management community.

Mr Mann said farming was “part and parcel of what makes Nidderdale AONB’s landscape so special”.

He added:

“These new grants will help us to collaborate even more with farmers and land managers to protect the AONB’s natural beauty, tackle climate change and safeguard our wildlife and heritage, while sustaining a vibrant working landscape.”

 

Nidderdale visitors urged to report adder sightings

Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has asked visitors to keep an eye out for adders.

Adders are the UK’s only venomous snake but they are disappearing.

A recent Make the Adder Count survey found that 90% of surveyed sites had declining adder populations.

Their plight was highlighted by Countryfile on BBC One last month, which featured presenter Helen Skelton searching for adders in Nidderdale.

To help with its own conservation efforts, Nidderdale AONB has launched Adder Watch to engage people in its work.

Although it is asking visitors not to go out actively looking for the snakes, it is asking anyone seeing them on their travels to report them.

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Adders like to live in moorland, heathland, open woodland glades, near old stone walls and on rocky slopes.

They hibernate over winter, often in groups. If their hibernation sites are destroyed it can have a devastating impact on their ability to survive.

When they come out of hibernation, they sunbathe to build up strength and flatten themselves to catch as many rays as possible.

Countryfile adder search in Nidderdale

Countryfile adder search in Nidderdale

Adders can be seen typically between March and October. Males are often grey with black zigzags on their backs.

Females are usually brown with dark brown zigzags on their backs. They typically range from 60 to 80cm in length.

You can report sightings on an online form here or by sending an email detailing your sighting here.

Kelly Harmar, biodiversity officer at Nidderdale AONB, said:

“It’s vital that people don’t actively go looking for adders.

“We are just asking people that if they do spot one when they are out and about to please let us know.

“Do not to share the location of any sightings on social media. It’s really important that any adders aren’t disturbed by people going to look for them.

“Adders are an excellent indicator of a healthy environment. If they are in decline, it suggests that other species who share the same habitat may also be in trouble.”

Nidderdale AONB, which is funded by the government, is an area of 233 square miles located on the eastern flanks of the Yorkshire Pennines stretching from the high moorland of Great Whernside south and east towards the edge of the Vale of York.

Nidderdale farmers urged to apply for EU successor grants

Farmers and land managers in Nidderdale are being urged to access new grants as European Union subsidies are phased out.

Payments through the EU’s Basic Payment Scheme, which supports farmers, reduce this year and will be phased out completely by 2027.

Applying for Countryside Stewardship can maintain payments during the transition to the government’s new Environmental Land Management scheme.

Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is offering free guidance to help farmers and land managers with the transition.

Marian Wilby, Nidderdale AONB land management team leader, will host four free online webinars for farmers and landowners in March, along with Farming and Wildlife Adviser, Claire Foster.

Ms Wilby said:

“It’s actually quite daunting for farmers to do their day jobs and keep up with the changes and bureaucracy.

“Our aim, via e-newsletters and free webinars, is to keep farmers fully informed and up-to-date, as well as answer any of their questions on the new grant schemes to help farmers and land managers keep payments coming in during this transition period.”

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The webinars will cover Countryside Stewardship options, as well as the latest updates on the Environmental Land Management scheme, which will promote nature-friendly farming practices, and the new Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme due to launch this year.

Ms Wilby added:

“Due to this upcoming transition, our land management team is extremely busy, and it may not be possible to help everyone in the AONB on a one-to-one basis.

“Attending one of our free workshops will help you decide what options are available for you.”

These changes have an impact on all land management practices, including farming, moorland management and woodland creation and management.

Under the new schemes, farmers and land managers will be paid grants to improve the natural environment, animal health and welfare, and reduce carbon emissions.

Farmers and land managers in Nidderdale AONB can register for the webinars by calling 01768 868615 or emailing admin@thefarmernetwork.co.uk

Webinar dates
March 8 7.30pm – Upland Focus

March 11 7.30pm – Mixed Farming

March 15 7.30pm – Upland Focus

March 18 7.30pm – Upland Focus

Council warns against driving to Harrogate district beauty spots

Harrogate Borough Council has told residents not to drive to beauty spots for exercise in a bid to reduce coronavirus infection rates.

The council said in its latest newsletter that driving to Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs, and Stainburn Woods “is not acceptable.”

All are popular spots for district residents to visit, with many likely to drive there over this coming weekend.

However, those that do are running the risk of a fine according to the borough council.

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North Yorkshire Police is also actively approaching people in the car parks and asking them where they are from.

Graham Hebblethwaite, chair of Washburn Parish Council, told the Stray Ferret:

“It has calmed down quite a bit now. The police are going into the car park, talking to people and finding out how far they have driven.

“I do fear that when the better weather returns that people will be back in their droves.”

The council’s newsletter, under a section called ‘exercising within the rules’, said:

“The lockdown laws do allow you to get out for daily exercise, but you must stay local to where you live. Please start and end your exercise from home.

“In the context of the lockdown, “local” means staying inside the boundaries of your village or town and not travelling somewhere to take a stroll or walk the dog.

“Driving to the other side of the district, into the Nidderdale AONB or to either of the national parks is not acceptable. If you do, you run the risk of a fine.”

We also requested clarification from North Yorkshire Police, which can hand out fines, and were sent a comment from Superintendent Mike Walker:

“If someone has travelled multiple miles to exercise, an officer has the option to encourage adherence or enforce the regulations.

“We do not expect people to travel multiple miles in a car to exercise in North Yorkshire.”

Rare species found in Nidderdale AONB

A major investigation in Nidderdale’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has found rare species including the Pyropterus nigroruber, a net winged beetle, and moths including Bilberry pug, Devon carpet and V-moth.

Volunteers gave more than 4,500 hours of their time over three years tracking animals across the AONB and reported other species such as the otter are increasing in number in the area.

They also found that the curlew population is stable, bucking a national decline.

However, the findings reported a large decline in water voles in the AONB, which are thought to one of the fastest declining mammals in the UK. In response, the AONB team has released 100 water voles in the Washburn Valley to try and revive the threatened species.

Bird species already thought to be lost from the AONB include the lesser-spotted woodpecker, yellow wagtail, wood warbler and hawfinch.

Iain Mann, AONB area manager, said:

“The report shows the vital importance of conservation to safeguard and improve Nidderdale AONB habitats. It is recognised nationally that biodiversity is in crisis and urgent action is needed.

“Our team is proud of the conservation success stories we have had in recent years and these findings will act as a springboard for future conservation work.”

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The report also highlights projects such as the Yorkshire Peat Partnership, which works with moorland land managers to promote best practice to safeguard these nationally significant habitats.

Read the State of Nature report here.