Harrogate Rotary Club says Rotary Wood plans are unacceptable despite planners' report

Harrogate planning officers recommend approving expansion by Harrogate Spring Water

Harrogate Rotary Club, which instigated and financed the original planting of Rotary Wood in 2005, said the woodland was always intended to be an extension to The Pinewoods and be a permanent asset to the community and, as such, the current plans by the leading bottled water company, which include the removal of a substantial portion of the trees, did not go nearly far enough to balance their loss to the community.

Nothing has yet been decided; that is up to Harrogate councillors at next Tuesday’s planning committee meeting.

But the agenda for the meeting contains Harrogate Borough Council planners' recommendation that the application be approved subject to a Section 106 Agreement securing the long-term management of a ‘biodiversity compensation site’ for the doomed trees at Harlow Moor Road near the Pinewoods.

Speaking on behalf of Rotary Club of Harrogate, David Hayes said: "The loss of the Wood not only has huge ecological consequences but also destroys the future hopes and dreams of those that planted it.

"As an Asset of Community Value the Wood cannot be taken away without consent nor without it being offered to the community. Any package of compensation must offer a net gain, a net loss is unacceptable.

"The proposed compensation for the loss of Rotary Centenary Wood currently offers a net loss.

"The proposed site is on private land, it would be leased and as such is not a permanent site; it has no public access which is a loss of amenity and it is of insufficient size to plant two trees for every one lost at a reasonable density in order to avoid failure from overcrowding.

"When the lease (30 years has been mentioned) for the temporary site expires how will these replacement trees be protected?

"The existing Rotary Centenary Wood was intended to be an extension to The Pinewoods and be a permanent asset to the community.

"It would not be unreasonable, therefore, for Danone to source a permanent site of at least eight acres to enable the planting of 4000 to 5000 trees leaving sufficient open spaces for the ecological development of the site thereby creating an Asset of Community Value in the best interests of all parties.

"The planning application by Harrogate Spring Water Limited will see the near eradication of The Rotary Wood which was instigated and financed by the Rotary Club of Harrogate in 2005.

"The project commemorated the Centenary of Rotary International and was supported by the local community, with school children involved in planting the new wood.

"The Rotary Club firmly believes that any removal of the 15-year-old Rotary Wood should be fully replaced, in line with the local authorities existing policy, for the loss of biodiversity, carbon capture and community access.

"We hope that the Planning Committee take our points into full consideration during their meeting on January 26, specifically to honour their own environmental policies and targets for the well being and health of the local community."

Work under way on three new housing developments in Harrogate district

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