PC Statement on planning refusal for 21/01833/FULMAJ  Kebbell Homes.

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> The Parish Council welcomes the decision to refuse the application. Throughout the application process we have consistently called for due consideration to be taken of the inadequate Sewage and Drainage system that exists in the village now. The inadequate drainage infrastructure is a blight on the village, we flood at least annually and in times of flood foul sewage comes out onto the road and into the beck. We have always held that any development at the “top” of the village will have some detrimental impact on a situation that is already unacceptable. Furthermore we have no faith in Yorkshire Water  promises to do something about in the near future. Consequently the recent development application(s) represent a golden opportunity to leverage pressure on Yorkshire Water to do something about it. Hopefully this decision will bring about that pressure and some consequent action, but, of course, that is not guaranteed.

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> The Parish Council have also fully supported the work of BMAG to fight for Housing Developments in the village to be sustainable, to have the appropriate supporting infrastructure and to enhance our village and not have detrimental impact.

> The Parish Council is not against Bishop Monkton taking it’s fair share of the new housing requirement for this part of the Country but wants to see concrete action from those decision makers that control our infrastructure to make such developments, sustainable, safe, environmentally sound, attractive and a positive contribution to our lovely village.

 

The Coronation Walk

 

The aim is to create something that will benefit the village of Bishop Monkton and attract visitors to our beautiful village for years to come.

 

The coronation of King Charles III is the perfect trigger to launch such a project.

 

We propose to create a circular walk using existing public rights of way which will start and finish in the village. The route will be well signed with “Coronation Circular Walk” and a small crown.

 

The natural beginning of the walk would be outside the Mason’s arms thereafter along Ings lane to the Roecliffe road following the route of the Ripon Rowel walk down to the river Ure. On Reaching the river the walk continues upstream to the Canal Locke where the path cuts up and across the fields to Ashbrook farm then back to the village.

 

The total distance is 3.5 miles and will take approximately 1 1/2 hours to walk.

 

As well as Coronation Walk signs there would be two Notice Boards with maps describing the walk in more detail about flora and fauna to look out for. One would be positioned at the Masons Arms at the start of the walk and the other at the point where the river joins the canal and the route returns to the village.

 

The route would present a good opportunity for walkers to explore the countryside around the village plus it could be linked to other walking routes across the fields to Burton Leonard, along the canal to Ripon or down the river to Roecliffe.

 

It would help promote and encourage exercise and well being in the community. It would be a dog walk friendly route with available waste bins at strategic points and responsible dog ownership and control would be encouraged.

 

The Natural history of the route would be of interest to many. The waterfowl on the river, kites, buzzards, kingfishers, sand martins are all present. Otters, hares and deer are sometimes seen. The wildflowers along the route are also of great interest.

 

As well as benefit to individuals certain local businesses would also be helped, namely the Masons arms, the caravan sites and the local B&B/rental cottages.

 

The Challenges

 

Most of the walk is walkable at all times of the year but there are several stretches that are not and these would need to be improved.

 

1. The first stretch is the part that goes through the wood at the top of Ings Lane. Newby Hall estates have already done great work clearing the overgrown vegetation but deep mud and often water make the track unwalkable. This currently leads people to stray onto private land to try to continue the walk. Building up the track with hardcore would raise it above the water level.
2. On the cut down to the river there is also a small stretch of path that gets submerged, a couple of pipes under the path and again building up the level would remedy this.
3. On cutting up from the canal across the “chicken fields” the route was recently diverted and goes through a stretch of mud and deep water. Again improved drainage and building up the height of the path with hardcore would resolve this. It would also stop walkers crossing private land to avoid the quagmire.
4. The stile needs to be improved and the large muddy pool below it.
5. Finally the recent footpath diversion has resulted in an overgrown muddy track. Trimming the hedge back and underfoot hardcore would resolve this.

 

Several  landowners would need to support the project,

 

The benefits to these landowners would be twofold, firstly it would be good public relations exercise supporting a village beneficial project. Secondly it would stop walkers straying onto their land to avoid the impassable quagmires that develop currently.

 

Material needed

 

Mostly hardcore/crushed limestone for footpaths

Signage

Advice about footpath construction

 

Manpower

            Diggers tractors, local farmers/Newby Hall, working party of volunteers

Costs

            Grants- Lottery

            Footpath commission involvement

            Local Landowners

            Local funds

Similar projects in the area

            Circular walk from Ripon down the canal returning via Littlethorpe

            Roecliffe Round

            Knaresborough/Harrogate Round

            Staveley village wetlands paths

Ripon Wetlands

            Nosterfield/Thornborough wetlands walks

 

            In our dreams pushchair friendly

 

Publicity - Local press and social media