Calls grow for £1.4 million housing fund to be invested in Knaresborough High Street

Liberal Democrat councillors are urging North Yorkshire Council to release a share of £1.4 million collected from local housing developments to help transform Knaresborough High Street and tackle long-standing traffic problems.

The funding comes from the Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Fund, which has been built up through housing developments across the Harrogate and Knaresborough area. The levy is designed to pay for infrastructure and community improvements in places affected by new development.

Councillors Hannah Gostlow and Matt Walker say Knaresborough should receive a fair share of the money to deliver improvements that residents and businesses have been requesting for years.

Years of campaigning

The latest call follows a long-running campaign to improve congestion and traffic flow through Knaresborough town centre.

Back in 2022, the pair launched the ‘Starter for 10’ campaign, attracting national media attention and widespread support from residents.

The campaign resulted in a site visit with North Yorkshire Council highways engineers, leading to proposals to improve parking and loading arrangements on the High Street.

Those plans are now ready to move forward—but funding is needed before work can begin.

Coun Hannah Gostlow said:

“Knaresborough is crying out for investment in its High Street, and we want to see a share of the money that North Yorkshire has already collected from local housing developments spent to benefit our community.”

What could the money pay for?

The councillors believe the funding could help deliver a range of improvements, including:

• Better parking and loading bays to ease congestion
• Improvements around the bus station
• Better facilities for public transport users
• Enhanced public spaces
• Measures to reduce rat-running through residential streets

Coun Matt Walker said:

“We have been calling for improvements to parking and loading bays on the High Street to tackle congestion, and these plans are already in the works.

“Releasing this funding would help us deliver the changes residents and businesses are asking for.

“Improving the High Street benefits all of Knaresborough by making the area more attractive for residents, visitors and businesses, while supporting the local economy.”

Coun Gostlow added:

“The funding could also help improve the area around the bus station, support public transport users, enhance the public realm and address known issues with rat-running through local streets.”

High street funding elsewhere in North Yorkshire

The appeal comes shortly after York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith announced the latest recipients of the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund, with £1.7 million awarded to 19 projects across the region.

The scheme supports projects designed to revitalise town centres, attract visitors and strengthen local economies.

Mayor David Skaith said:

“High streets are constantly changing, but when we back our high streets, they will thrive and become hubs for our communities again.

“That’s why I am delighted to invest £1.7 million in these 19 projects. They are all led by local people, ranging from regeneration to exciting festivals.

“These are big ideas that will inject new life into communities across the region. This is what my Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund is here to deliver.”

Among the successful schemes were:

• Whitby’s Flowergate and Beyond Artisan Quarter, transforming historic streets through culture, community events and local enterprise.
• Eggsplore York and Haxby, a free family-friendly public art trail celebrating independent businesses.
• Kirkbymoorside Town Brand and History Trail, designed to strengthen the market town’s identity and encourage more visitors.

A third round of the Vibrant and Sustainable High Streets Fund is expected to open in November.

For Knaresborough’s Liberal Democrat councillors, however, the priority is ensuring the town receives investment from the £1.4 million already generated locally through housing developments.

They argue the money should now be used to deliver practical improvements that will reduce congestion, improve accessibility and create a more welcoming High Street for residents, businesses and visitors alike.