Ripon Cathedral from Studley Royal World Heritage Site 8. MAIN URBAN AREAS: What opportunities are there for improving green infrastructure in the main urban areas of Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon? 8.1 Through work with Natural England and adjoining authorities on green and the open countryside for access and biodiversity, to improve the infrastructure mapping in 2009 (see section 5) it became clear that setting of key tourist attractions and heritage assets, improve the more detailed work on green infrastructure opportunities within the shopping and business environment and to help to attract more main urban areas of Harrogate district was required. inward investment. 8.2 This section includes an assessment of the main urban areas of 8.4 The guide does not identify specific projects, however it provides Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon. The opportunities maps a starting point for applicants and developers that can underpin provide information about the key characteristics of the settlements proposals for development. Applications for development within and indicate green infrastructure opportunity areas and important Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon will be expected to green corridors. The accompanying text explains how development contribute to the delivery of the opportunities identified within the urban areas can contribute to enhancing green within this section. infrastructure. 8.3 The majority of key opportunities within the main urban areas are focussed on the need to strengthen links between the town/city centre p. 50 Green Infrastructure Supplementary Planning Document Green Infrastructure Opportunities in the Main Urban Area of Harrogate 1. Harrogate Town Centre * Station Parade * International Conference Centre * Bower Road * West Park 2. Coppice Drive to Skipton Road 3. Skipton Road to Haverah Park 4. Valley Gardens to Beckwithshaw 5. Station Parade to Follifoot 6. The Stray to Starbeck 7. West Park to Pannal ©Crown copyright and database rights 2014. Ordnance Survey 100019628 Priorities: Context: through the Nidd Gorge northwest of Harrogate and via the town of Knaresborough then The following green infrastructure priorities have Harrogate’s gardens and green spaces are an meandering eastwards, ultimately joining been identified for Harrogate town taking into important component of the quality environment the River Ouse at Nun Monkton. consideration the characteristics of the settlement within the area and they give the town its own and other green infrastructure work undertaken distinctive identity. These areas help to create The Harrogate bypass acts as a barrier to the at the regional and sub-regional level: an attractive setting, which has benefits in terms connectivity of the Crimple Valley corridor to n Improved linkages between the town of attracting tourists, shoppers and investment Spofforth and the landscape to the southeast centre and open countryside; of Harrogate, but the green wedges cut into the to the town as well as promoting accessibility, n Better connectivity between the retail and healthy living and important links for biodiversity. urban area at Oak Beck, Oakdale Golf Course conference areas from Station Parade; and Valley Gardens to the west and provide good n Quality of place and transformation Harrogate occupies a large plateau which access between town and country. To the east of the public realm; descends to the valleys of the Oak Beck to the lies the green wedge at the Bilton Triangle and n Enhancement of the historic environment; north, northwest and west, the Crimple Beck to to the south at Hornbeam Park the green wedge and the southwest, south and southeast and Star links into central Harrogate via The Stray. Beck to the east. The Crimple Valley, which is n Enhanced green infrastructure corridors part of the wider regionally important corridor The town is bordered by The Stray that extends for biodiversity and accessibility. rises to the southwest of Harrogate, adjacent in a great arc to the southeast and southwest Taking into consideration these priorities the to the Haverah Park area. It runs south of of Harrogate and this plays an important part in following green infrastructure opportunity areas Harrogate and via Spofforth to join the Wharfe providing a highly attractive setting and approach have been identified on the Harrogate Green corridor at Wetherby. This river corridor links to the settlement. The Stray and Valley Gardens Infrastructure Opportunities Map: into The Stray in the centre of Harrogate via were important in the historical development of 1. Harrogate Town Centre Hookstone Beck and its associated green wedge the town, as were the Turkish Baths, Health Spa n Station Parade and the Royal Pump Rooms. at Hornbeam Park. The river corridor comprising n International Conference Centre Star Beck and Rud Beck also forms important n Two important focal points for tourists in the Bower Road linkages to the north of the area and lies in close n West Park town are the area around the roundabout in proximity to the Harrogate Ringway footpath. Low Harrogate, framed by the Crown Hotel, 2. Coppice Drive to Skipton Road The River Nidd passes to the north and east of Royal Parade and the bottom of Montpellier Hill, 3. Skipton Road to Haverah Park Harrogate and it is part of the wider regionally and Prospect Square dominated by the 4. Valley Gardens to Beckwithshaw War Memorial and surrounded on three important River Nidd corridor, which originates 5. Station Parade to Follifoot in the uplands of the Nidderdale AONB and sides by St Peter’s Church, Cambridge Crescent, 6. The Stray to Starbeck passes close to lower dales villages such as and Prospect Crescent. Hampsthwaite, Ripley and Nidd before passing 7. West Park to Pannal Ash Green Infrastructure Opportunities in the Main Urban Area of Harrogate p. 53 Further information about these opportunities n Providing better connectivity to is provided below: the retail and shopping areas; n Improving connections to the 1) Harrogate Town Centre conference centre; and There are many opportunities in Harrogate to n Creating an attractive approach plan public realm improvements to enhance the to the office and business areas natural and built assets and help to improve links e.g. West Park and Victoria Avenue. for biodiversity. There is also scope to plan for Any green infrastructure opportunities for the improvements to the streets and open spaces Station Parade area would need to be considered that are directly related to the shopping potential alongside other relevant aspirations and of the town as well as its civic and tourism role. priorities, for example, the land at Station Parade In relation to pedestrianised areas, the most Station Parade, Harrogate Development Brief approved by the council as successful streets are those where landscape Station Parade: Supplementary Planning Guidance (May 2005). treatment and green infrastructure is simple and Station Parade between Bower Road and York There are numerous historic and spatial focal uncluttered and where human activity provides Place presents a key opportunity for creating and points within this area, which offer opportunities the life and vitality. improving green infrastructure that enhances the setting and connectivity of this key gateway to the for enhancement to encourage better open space Street tree planting is important to provide town for those arriving by bus, rail, bike or car. connections. The Harrogate Conservation Area softening and to frame key views across the This may also bring positive benefits in terms Appraisal arrives at a like-minded conclusion with shopping areas and to provide shelter and shade. of encouraging investment. regard to visual connections across the area There is a lack of new tree planting in this part of and notes that: Harrogate to succeed existing planting and new The improvement of green infrastructure in this ‘A new ‘point de vue’ opposite the end of tree planting will help improve the setting key area could then be expanded to include Cambridge Street would benefit the townscape.’ of buildings and diversify the age structure routes linking to key locations to help direct of trees in the area. visitors and commuters efficiently to key places of Victoria Gardens provides an opportunity to interest such as the shopping areas, conference reinvent this formal civic space. The square Tree planting in combination with street furniture venue and office and business areas. The could benefit from a more pared down scheme can provide a high quality alfresco experience following are considered to be key opportunities to increase the feeling of space which may help with planting for cover and can encourage an within this area: to maximise its use and encourage more social attractive and inviting setting where people n Linking the town centre to the open interaction. The introduction of a focal point can make informal use of the space and countryside e.g. via open space such as a water feature in this area could give interact with each other. and key cycle routes; emphasis to the importance of Harrogate as a Spa town. p. 54 Green Infrastructure Opportunities in the Main Urban Area of Harrogate One of the most significant open spaces within This area does provide scope to become a key the town centre is Crescent Gardens and focal or ‘point de vue’ within the town. this open space plays a vital role in bringing the business and tourism trade together into one combined area. There is an opportunity to provide better linkages between Crescent Gardens and the Royal Pump Room and to improve interpretation of the Spa history for visitors as well as tourism generated from business events. Green infrastructure improvements to this area could help to enhance Harrogate’s role as an events destination as well Harrogate International Centre as a leading Spa town. International Conference Centre: Harrogate International Centre is a key asset The Montpellier area was some time ago a typical Bower Road, Harrogate of the town.