Harrogate Spring Water expansion: What’s next?

At the centre of heated debate - Harrogate Spring Water.

Since then, it says, it has carried out further technical and viability studies highlighting the opportunity to maximise the available footprint for development, while maintaining community space in this section of the Pinewoods.

Its revised plan seeks to increase the size of the developable area by 42% in principle, while maintaining nearly half the total space for public access.

Although family firm Harrogate Spring Water has pledged to replace any trees removed in the expansion, which effects Rotary Wood, Harrogate-based conservation charity Pinewoods Conservation Group remains worried.

After being invited to talks by Harrogate Spring Water on January 22, PCG agreed to pause any recommendation to its supporters to allow for the firm to provide additional information around the environmental impact of the plans and confirm details of replacement land for trees.

Three weeks ago, the PCG wrote to its members asking them to formally object to the planning application, partly because it had not yet seen the updated ecological study of the plans.

But last week it received copies of the new HSW Ecological Report with a new deadline to study them of March 16 set by Harrogate Borough Council.

The council’s full planning committee will decide on the plans on March 31.

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What critics of Harrogate Spring Water plans say

Harrogate and District Green Party organised a walk to raise awareness about what it regards as the threat to the Rotary Woods proposed by possible expansion by Harrogate Spring Water.

A group of campaigners walked from the war memorial in the town centre on Sunday, through Valley Gardens and into the Pinewoods.

Harrogate and District Green Party coordinator, Rebecca Maunder said: “It is quite surprising how many people aren’t aware of the proposal for Harrogate Spring water to expand into the four-acre Rotary Woods.

“With the deadline for comment imminent, we want to encourage people to object to it. The woodland itself is of huge community and environmental value and with the increased knowledge around the climate emergency and the issues with plastic pollution, to permit the removal of this 15-year-old woodland for the expansion of a private business is completely irresponsible.”

Teacher Sarah Gibbs, who dressed as a tree to raise awareness about the issue, said: “Global corporation Danon recently acquired a majority stake in Harrogate Spring Water.

“Plastic is forever. PET plastic has limited recyclability and 50% of each bottle is made from new plastic. We need more trees, not more plastic.”

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