Decision: Groups hail rejection of Harrogate Spring Water's revised expansion plans

Campaigners ranged against Harrogate Spring Water's controversial revised expansion plans have welcomed today's refusal decision by Harrogate Borough Council's planning committee.
Rejected - Harrogate councillors have said 'no' to revised expansion plans by Harrogate Spring Water at Harlow Moor Road, Harrogate.Rejected - Harrogate councillors have said 'no' to revised expansion plans by Harrogate Spring Water at Harlow Moor Road, Harrogate.
Rejected - Harrogate councillors have said 'no' to revised expansion plans by Harrogate Spring Water at Harlow Moor Road, Harrogate.

After councillors resoundingly rejected a planning report to support revised plans for a large expansion of the bottling plant than that granted already in 2016.

Instead, they voted against the expanded plans.

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Neil Hind, Chair of Pinewoods Conservation Group, who spoke at the meeting, said: "We thank the planning committee for their considered debate and we are very pleased with their outcome to reject this application.

"We also thank all those groups, supporters and residents who have supported our campaign that has been much appreciated.

"We will now be asking Harrogate Council at their meeting on 10th February to confirm, following the massive public backlash to these proposals, that they have no plans to sell or lease any part of Rotary Wood, now or in the future."

A spokesperson for Harrogate Civic Society said: "We welcome the refusal of this application to further extend the development allowed in 2017.

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"The compensation offered by Harrogate Spring Water was inadequate, providing replacement planting on privately owned leased land, and offering nothing to compensate for the loss of an even greater part of Rotary Wood.

"The wood, planted by the Rotary Club and local children is part of a Special Landscape Area, and an of Community Value and enjoyed every day by the people of Harrogate."

Rob Pickering, a senior spokesperson for Harrogate Spring Water, said: "We’re disappointed by the committee’s decision to reject the revision of our planning application.

"We have been able to clearly demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits, as well as outline our commitment to leaving a positive environmental impact.

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"At this stage, we will need to consider our options and decide on our next steps.

"However, irrespective of this decision, we would like to reassure our local community that we are committed to keeping them informed and involved with any environmental measures and landscaping developments at the Harrogate Spring Water site in the future."

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