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12
Jul 2021
New planters installed in Harrogate after fake grass saga
Just two months after controversial fake grass was removed from raised beds in Harrogate town centre, new planters are now being installed. Workers were seen putting them together on Cambridge Street.
The new planters which have been installed on Cambridge Street.
New planters are being installed on Cambridge Street in Harrogate town centre.
The move comes two months after Harrogate Borough Council placed fake grass in raised flower beds in the town centre.
Workers were seen installing the new planters today.
One worker told the Stray Ferret that the planters would have “flowers in spring and autumn and shrubs other times of year”.
A council spokesperson said:
"Over the years we’ve planted numerous varieties of plants and flowers in the planters. But sadly, nothing has lasted very long due to the trees' roots structure soaking-up all the moisture and nutrients in the soil.
"These new bespoke plant beds, which sit above the root base, will have their own soil that is full of nutrients and should allow the plants to grow successfully every year.
"For the summer, they will be filled with bright cheerful geraniums (as shown in the photo). And in the winter we will plant spring bulbs and perennials.
"In the coming weeks they will start to compliment Harrogate’s award-winning floral displays that we take enormous pride in looking after."
Read more:
- Extinction Rebellion replaces fake grass with flowers in Harrogate
- Huge backlash against ‘cheap and tacky’ fake grass
- Senior Harrogate councillor defends fake grass saga
It follows a fierce backlash to the artificial grass installed on Cambridge Street in May, which residents and campaigners described as “cheap and tacky”.
Council officials initially claimed the move received “lots of positive feedback”, but later removed the grass and apologised.
It was later revealed that the council had spent £800 on the artificial grass.
However, Cllr Andrew Paraskos, cabinet member for environment, defended the saga at a full council meeting last week.
He said that the fake grass was removed “straight away” and that the authority had to “try new ideas”.
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