The Green Belt Wildlife Corridor

 

“The West Yorkshire Green Belt was originally established in the 1960s. It extends over the southern fringe of the district and includes the narrow gap between the towns of Harrogate and Knaresborough. The main purposes of the Green Belt as it effects Harrogate district are to check the further growth of the West Yorkshire conurbation, and to protect the special character of the towns of Harrogate and Knaresborough and prevent them from merging.”

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

As well as acting as a buffer zone that stops the two towns merging, the Green Belt also acts as a wildlife corridor.

“The term 'wildlife corridor' is used to refer to any linear feature in the landscape that can be used for migration or dispersal of wildlife. Wildlife corridors offer the possibility of linking habitats and reducing the isolation of populations.”

​

As an additional woodland habitat, Long Lands will link up, via the Green Belt wildlife corridor with the existing woodlands nearby, such as Bilton Beck Wood and Spring Wood, in Nidd Gorge, and Limekiln Plantation on Bilton Lane.

It will also act as a temporary habitat for migrating animals heading north and south of Harrogate & Knaresborough along the corridor.