October 2024

Help Us Connect Crimple Valley – Support the Public Bridleway Creation Order Before It’s Too Late!

Crimple Valley is a cherished natural space for our community, full of historical charm, lush landscapes, and diverse wildlife. In an effort to enhance access and preserve its beauty for everyone, North Yorkshire County Council has proposed a new public bridleway as part of the Crimple Viaduct, Follifoot Creation Order 2023. This new path aims to link existing routes, creating a continuous bridleway that allows for a circular journey through the valley.

The Crimple Viaduct Bridleway Creation Order has reached a critical stage, and time is running out to ensure this vision becomes a reality. We need your support right now to make this dream come true. The clock is ticking, and every voice counts in this crucial moment to save our valley. Here’s why this project is vital, what obstacles we are facing, and how you can help today.

The Vision: A Connected and Accessible Crimple Valley

The proposed bridleway is intended to connect two existing routes—the current Public Bridleway No. 15.43/14 and Public Bridleway No. 15.54/61—which are currently separated by a small parcel of land. Right now, users are unable to enjoy a seamless journey through Crimple Valley, as the disconnection forces them to retrace their steps rather than continuing in a loop.

This proposal would resolve that issue, creating a continuous circular route that would:

  • Enhance Public Access: Provide better and more enjoyable routes for walkers, cyclists, and equestrians alike.
  • Preserve the Valley’s Charm: Support recreational opportunities that bring people closer to nature without compromising the land’s ecological balance.
  • Improve Health and Wellbeing: Circular walking routes offer a practical way for people to enjoy healthy outdoor activity, connecting both locals and visitors with the area's natural beauty.

The bridleway would open up an uninterrupted 360-degree route, providing breathtaking views of Crimple Viaduct, access to underexplored areas of the valley, and new opportunities for family outings, horseback riding, and outdoor enjoyment.

Public Support and Local Benefits

Since 2013, when the first part of the bridleway was dedicated by the Rudding Park Estate, there has been ongoing support from the community to complete this route. The dedication process experienced delays due to an anomaly in property boundaries, but the dream of a connected Crimple Valley persisted.

The informal consultations in 2022 saw more than 100 letters of support, with community groups like The British Horse Society, The Ramblers, Open Country, and local councils backing the proposal. These voices, along with local residents, are calling for an opportunity to make this beautiful landscape fully accessible for recreational purposes.

Addressing Objections

Despite overwhelming public support, a few objections have been raised by private landowners, focusing primarily on concerns about potential impacts on farming, increased foot traffic, and safety risks due to an old bridge and proximity to the Crimple Viaduct. Here's why we believe these concerns can be effectively mitigated:

  1. Managing Increased Footfall: The Order Making Authority (OMA) has stated that appropriate signage and fencing can minimize disturbances to livestock and reduce risks for the general public. Plus, many of the current issues are tied to public misuse, which a clearly marked circular route would alleviate.

  2. Safety Concerns: The route will be properly managed and maintained, and there are opportunities to restrict access under the arches of the viaduct and ensure safety. It is in our best interests to protect both public users and the landowners.

  3. Parking and Traffic Management: While some are concerned that increased visitors may cause issues on narrow lanes, it is essential to remember that the existing public rights of way already attract visitors. The creation of a circular route may reduce footfall on particular segments by dispersing it more evenly, reducing congestion at dead ends.

The Time to Act is Now – Don’t Let This Opportunity Slip Away

The future of this bridleway lies in the hands of local residents. If we want Crimple Valley to remain a place that’s accessible to everyone, we must act now. The window of opportunity is closing fast, and your voice could be the one that makes the difference. The deadline for representations is October 28, 2024—this is our moment to ensure Crimple Valley remains open and accessible for future generations.

Supporting this order means:

  • Preserving public access to our natural heritage.
  • Providing safe and sustainable routes for everyone.
  • Encouraging healthy outdoor activities and the benefits they bring to both individuals and the community.

We cannot afford to lose this chance to protect Crimple Valley for ourselves, our children, and everyone who loves the natural world. The decision is coming soon, and your support is needed now more than ever.

How to Make Your Representation

The Secretary of State will consider written representations in favor of this order, but time is running out. You have until October 28, 2024, to submit your statement of support.

You can make your representation by emailing:

Alternatively, you can write to:

  • The Planning Inspectorate, Rights of Way Section, Room 3/A Eagle Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN

For more information on what to include in your representation, click here.

Together, We Can Save Crimple Valley!

Please join us in supporting this incredible project. Let’s create a connected Crimple Valley that remains open and accessible for everyone. The deadline is fast approaching—act now to make your voice heard!

March 2024

URGENT!! They are not giving up - act now!

Square Feet Ltd & Antela Developments Ltd have appealed to the Secretary of State to try to build on this beautiful area of land in the Crimple Valley (ref: APP/U2750/W/24/3339198)

They have tried & tried to make this happen and the NYC have refused. Please help stop this!

Email the local MP - Andrew.jones.mp@parliament.uk

Tell the Inspectorate that you don't want this development. Make a Representation as Interested Party - https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/ViewCase.aspx...

Write to the local media. Encourage others to do the same!
All comments need to be in by 4th April 2024.

April 2023

Almsford Bank plans submitted AGAIN

Dwellings at Almsford Bank plans submitted for FOURTH time!

If you have previously commented on this application, please reaffirm your objections to this development by commenting again. The developer seems determined to continuously submit until they get their own way. Because this is a new application all previous comments are disregarded.

Comment before the 7th May 2023* to help save the Special Landscape Area.

* Deadline seems to have been extended from 23rd April 2023.

Full details

New Pannal business park rejected

Developments on the PN18 site have been rejected.

Cllr Tim Myatt, cabinet member for planning at the council said:

“The options presented, which aren’t viable without significant support, are not up to a standard design with which I can feel comfortable. There seems little hope to producing something to the quality that I believe the site needs. I will therefore propose that we do not progress with options for the site."

He also recommended that the employment site be removed from the local plan. The total office space allocated for the site was 10,000m sq alongside 31,500m sq of industrial space.

Please help stop more developments in the Crimple Valley

The latest application is for 17 dwellings to be accessed off Alsmford Bank. This site has already been turned down and applications withdrawn on a number of occasions - but the developers are persistent and will get their way if not stopped.

The development would be in the Harrogate Special Landscape Area (SLA) and against the local development plans. Furthermore it would have a significant negative impact on the environment of Crimple Valley. This includes impact on trees and vegetation, impact on wildlife, impact on the overall landscape of the area and impact on the setting of the viaduct. It also significantly reduces the gap between Pannal and Harrogate, removing the distinct nature of both areas.

View full details

How to object to the new development

THE DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS EXPIRES AT 23RD APRIL 2023

1. Object by email

The easiest way to object is by email. However you MUST include your full name and postal address or the comment will not be accepted. Please Quote Application Case Number: 23/01082/OUTMAJ.

Objections must be sent to planningcomments.HAR@northyorks.gov.uk . Please also consider adding info@savecrimplevalley.org as a CC so we can check the objections are listed.

Click here to object by email

2. Object by post

You can also submit your comments via email if you prefer or if have trouble with the website/email. However you MUST include your full name and postal address.

To make comments about this application you can write to:

North Yorkshire Council (Harrogate Area) Planning
PO Box 787
Harrogate
HG1 9RW

Deadline for comments
23rd April 2023

Please Quote Application Case Number:
23/01082/OUTMAJ

3. Object via the Council Planning Portal

Using the Council Planning Portal

If you do not already have an account you need to register with the Public Access Planning Portal.

Open Planning Portal Registration Page

Follow the 7 steps in the images (right) to register with the planning portal. Click the images to view larger. Once the registration page is complete you need to login. Make sure you can remember your password.

If you do not recieve the confirmation email check your spam/junk folder. If you cannot find it do not hesitate to contact the Council at planningcomments.HAR@northyorks.gov.uk.

Login to Planning Portal

Where to comment

You must be logged into the site to comment. If you have trouble logging in do not hesitate to contact the Council at planningcomments.HAR@northyorks.gov.uk.

We advise you draft your comment in Word or an email before posting your comment. You can then copy and paste your comment into the comment box on the application page. There is a limit of 6000 characters.

Open the planning application page by clicking the button below. Click the 'Make a comment' button. See images (right) to see the page, click to enlarge.

Direct link to the Planning Application

About Save Crimple Valley

The Crimple Valley is part of a special landscape area which rings the southern fringes of Harrogate in North Yorkshire. It takes its name from the Crimple Beck which, in turn, in the 1950's lent its name to an ICI fabric - 'Crimplene'

The Valley is spanned by a handsome Victorian railway viaduct, which is a listed monument and a focal point. The land is mainly agricultural and well served with attractive walks which allow many to enjoy this local beauty spot.

Proposals to introduce developments, such as a supermarket, into the valley led to the formation in the early 1990's of a Save Crimple Valley Campaign.

A proposal in the 1997 Local Plan to relocate the local Rugby Club in the centre of the valley with a massive stadium and car parking for over 700 vehicles produced many objections . This led to an increase in the membership to 650 of the Save Crimple Valley group.

The group was successful in convincing the Inspector at the Public Inquiry that it had no opposition either to rugby or to the Rugby Club but that the special landscape features of the area should be preserved.

The committee keeps an eye on the planning applications and the use of the land in the Valley- the golf clubs, the gardens centres and nurseries, the garages and showrooms, etc..

We work with Pannal Village Society and the Harrogate Civic Society on these consultations.

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