Harrogate District Climate Action Network's last-minute appeal on Rotary Wood vote

Decision day for Harrogate Spring Water's expansion plans - how to watch today's meeting and what to expect

The letter from Harrogate District Climate Action Network (HDCAN), whose total membership exceeds 4,000 members and residents, says the following:

"We are writing to express considerable concern regarding this planning application. We ask that you reject it on the following grounds:

"It is detrimental to community relations to talk about protecting and enhancing our local spaces while simultaneously allowing four acres of community planted and much valued woodland to be destroyed. It does not set a good precedent in terms of community tree planting.

"It is also contrary to Harrogate climate action targets to become carbon neutral by 2038. These actions commit to increasing woodland cover from 8% to 11.

"Reducing the amount of woodland by 1.64 acres of 15-year-old trees is clearly going in the wrong direction and does not support community engagement which will be vital to achieve climate action targets.

"Harrogate Biodiversity Action Plan seeks to enhance biodiversity and ensure fragmentation of habitat does not occur.

"The plans to extend into 4.32 acres of Rotary Wood will cause fragmentation and decrease the levels of biodiversity locally.

"The current compensation plans do not replace the ecological value of the wood.

It is critical that everything possible is done to ensure business growth does not conflict with environmental progress.

"There are ways in which businesses can be supported to reduce their ecological impact upon the local environment and carbon emissions.

"Given the urgency of the climate and ecological crises we face, every opportunity should be taken to work positively for good growth, and this includes the responsibilities within the planning process.

"We acknowledge that Harrogate Spa Water is a significant local brand with a global reach, however you will be aware that public opinion about products like bottle water have shifted since the original outline planning permission was granted. It is no longer a brand that credits Harrogate as many of the planning objection letters and media coverage illustrate.

"We also note that the planning portal was down for four days which meant that our members and Harrogate residents were unable to lodge their concerns."

Yours sincerely

Marian, on behalf of The Harrogate District - Climate Action Network - HD-CAN

Extinction Rebellion Harrogate

Harrogate District Friends of the Earth

Harrogate District Cycle Action Group

Harrogate & District Green Party

Knaresborough SPARKS

Long Lands Common

Love Sustainable Knaresborough

Nidd Gorge Community Action

Nidderdale Climate and Environment Group

Pinewoods Conservation Group

Sustainably Harrogate

United Nations Association Harrogate

Zero Carbon Harrogate

What Harrogate Spring Water say about their expansion plans

Rob Pickering, a senior spokesperson for Harrogate Spring Water, said: “We’d like to reassure the local community that the plan for Rotary Wood places a huge focus on supporting the local environment and promoting biodiversity.

“Our plans include a commitment to replacing the trees on a two for one basis and a long term plan to ensure they are looked after and protected.

"And for the area of Rotary Woods that will remain as woodland, we will be investing to enhance its accessibility and usability for the community. We are and will continue to be good considerate neighbours within Harrogate.

“The extension to our existing facility will help in enabling us to continue our role in supporting the local and regional economy. "

A HSWL spokesperson also said: "Harrogate Spring Water is a B Corp certified business and we pride ourselves on acting with the highest standard of care and consideration towards our environment.

"We’re actively working to reduce our carbon footprint so we can achieve carbon neutrality certification across our operations, although offsetting carbon emissions is not a requirement for our planning application.

We’ll continue to welcome suggestions from our neighbours and wider community.

"We want the community to be as involved as possible and we want to leave a positive environmental impact in Harrogate, continuing our long-standing commitment to the town."

Decision time for Harrogate Spring Water’s divisive expansion plans at Rotary Wood

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