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Harrogate Wildbelt is a project being developed by Harrogate Cure, to create a continuous, ecologically rich belt of nature encircling Harrogate and strengthening its relationship with Knaresborough

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Across three bioregions — Nidd Gorge, Oakdale and Crimple Valley — Wildbelt seeks to:

• Prevent coalescence and maintain distinct settlement identities
• Restore ecological function across degraded landscapes
• Establish walking and cycling spines that connect communities to nature
• Encourage regenerative land management and productive landscapes
• Embed long-term community stewardship

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Wildbelt operates through a shared framework that guides landscape protection, ecological recovery and community participation. The framework applies across all bioregions and is interpreted locally according to character and context.

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• Space
  Protect and reinforce clear green separation between settlements. Maintain spatial integrity and prevent incremental erosion of landscape form.
   

• Nature
  Restore ecological function across woodland, meadow and wetland systems. Work with soil and hydrology. Enable regenerative land management and biodiversity recovery.
   

• Movement
  Create continuous ecological and human connectivity. Establish walking and cycling routes. Reduce fragmentation caused by roads and infrastructure.
   

• Commons
  Enable shared stewardship and community participation. Foster collective care across different landholdings and partnerships.
   

• Culture
  Strengthen the relationship between town and landscape. Support education, wellbeing, heritage and spa character as part of everyday experience.
   

• Food
  Reintegrate productive landscapes into the urban edge. Support orchards, market gardens, community-supported agriculture and regenerative farming partnerships.

 

Together, these principles form a structure for long-term civic landscape stewardship.

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To read more please visit the Harrogate Wildbelt page;