PRESS readers have had their say on the Government’s decision not to provide compensation for local businesses, farmers and landowners impacted by last year’s wildfire in North Yorkshire.
The fire at Langdale Moor, in the North York Moors National Park near RAF Fylingdales, broke out on August 11 and at its height covered nearly 25 sq km.
Labour and Conservative politicians have criticised the Government for not providing compensation to local businesses, farmers and landowners impacted by the largest wildfire in North Yorkshire’s history, and accused it of abandoning the rural community.
It comes as the Government said it will provide £3.2m of funding to the North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA) for work including the restoration of peatland species and repairs to public footpaths.
Readers had their say in the comments section of The Press website and on Facebook.
Jennydriver1 said: “Disgusting result. If it had been in London, compensation would have been paid out before the fire was out.”
“And it was the farmers who worked hard, day in, day out, to contain the fire.
“I think it’s dangerous and extremely shortsighted to disincentivise farmers from helping,” another reader said.
Commenting on the announcement of £3.2 million for the North York Moors National Park to help repair footpaths and restore peatland species, a reader stated: “Yet the National Park gets £3 million to fix the footpath. FFS, the world’s gone mad.”
Another added: “Why? That’s disgusting [after] all they gave up to help fight the fire. The government should be ashamed.”
One reader commented: “That’s the government – they don’t care about farmers or their own people.”
Read more
Kevin Hollinrake, the MP for Thirsk and Malton, said: “The money to restore Fylingdales Moor is welcome and repairing the firebreaks, stabilising the slopes and bringing this precious landscape back to life is badly needed.
“But there is a glaring hole in the government’s announcement. Not a penny is going to the farmers, landowners and businesses who watched their livelihoods burn and who worked alongside our fire and rescue services for six weeks to save the moor. Had this been a flood, the Farming Recovery Fund and the Flood Recovery Framework would have been triggered within days. Because it was a wildfire, the people who suffered the losses are being left with nothing.”
Alison Hume, the MP for Scarborough and Whitby, whose constituency includes the affected area, welcomed the funding as a “vital step towards restoring our precious moorland after last year’s devastating wildfire”.
The MP has previously said that farms and businesses hit by such fires should receive support similar to that provided for flooding and is hoping to propose legislation on the issue.
Ms Hume paid tribute to local farmers and residents affected by the fire, adding: “Many farmers showed incredible courage during the fire, putting themselves at risk to protect their land and their neighbours.
“I will continue working closely with them and speaking up on their behalf to make sure they get the support they need.
“That includes continuing to press for a grant scheme which mirrors the one available to victims of flooding.”
Share