Work at tourist attraction ‘was to repair flood and weather damage’

A YORKSHIRE council’s investigation into alleged planning breaches at England’s oldest visitor attraction has found that the contentious work is allowed.

The probe began after Knaresborough residents and a town councillor raised concerns over what they described as “obtrusive”

and “major excavation” works at Mother Shipton’s Cave. But a visit from planning officers found the works do not require planning permission.

A spokesman for Harrogate Borough Council yesterday said: “We found the works being carried out are repairs and maintenance required as a consequence of bad weather and flooding earlier this year.”

However, officers did find that an already-built play area required a retrospective planning application.

Fiona Martin, managing director of the 390-year-old tourist attraction, said the site had been “washed out” during winter and suffered badly from the effects of Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis.

She arranged for repairs to be carried out while the site was closed due to the lockdown.

Mrs Martin said: “This was in the main landslip which created fissures, hard surfaces within the park being swept away by flooding and surface run-off and a fallen mature tree by high wind.

“As the park has been closed to the public due to the emergency, the opportunity has been taken to remedy the damage and stabilise the land.”

The cave has more than 65,000 visitors a year and was said to be the home of the legendary 15thcentury prophetess Mother Shipton. The site covers 12 acres and includes a historic riverside and woodland walk, a museum of artefacts, a tearoom, a gift shop, and two adventure playgrounds.