Wait for Northallerton Sport Village full opening continues

The Northallerton Sports Village site has been the subject of numerous delays over the last several years, with North Yorkshire Council again confirming that the ownership of land still hasn't been transferred to them.

(Image: STUART BOULTON) This means that, until they get the go-ahead for the transfer, no activities requiring a permit, such as the allotment on the site, can be used.

While the main site, which includes a one-kilometre running track, was opened to the public last December, the allotments remain locked, with sheds laid down and weeds almost four feet high covering the plots.

The gate to the allotment on the sport village (Image: STUART BOULTON) In other patches of the allotments, it's difficult to see the sheds for the weeds, which have grown almost over the wooden fixtures.

A locked gate preventing people from entering the allotments has also been in place during the last two years.

The extent of the weeds on the site (Image: STUART BOULTON) In an update, the council has said that it "continues to share the frustrations of residents", and that it's working to get the land transferred over to it 'as soon as possible'.

Wait for Northallerton Sports Village full opening continues:

North Yorkshire Council’s assistant director for culture, leisure and libraries, Jo Ireland, said:

“We continue to understand and share the frustration of residents and we are all keen to resolve the outstanding issues so the site can be fully open for community use as soon as possible.

“Discussions are continuing with legal representatives regarding the transfer of the land.”

Criticisms of the venue include that it's a "wasteful use of taxpayers' money" have been made, while others have called the ongoing delays "a shambles".

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In the most recent images of the sports village, overgrown grass can be seen on the allotment, while locks can be seen chained to the gates of the allotment, preventing access to the public. 

North Yorkshire Council has previously said that the first phase has been completed and handed over to the local authority from the contractors. 

However, it has now been said that there is no clear timeframe for when other sections of the sports village will be complete.