Let battle commence again as Harrogate Spring Water puts in appeal to expand into Rotary Wood

Harrogate Spring Water has officially lodged its appeal with North Yorkshire Council against the refusal of its plans to expand into Rotary Wood.

Writing in its regular newsletter to members, Pinewoods Conservation Group said the appeal had been received and is now awaiting allocation to a council case officer.

Once the appeal formally starts, notifications will be issued and the appeal documents published online.

The premium bottled water brand sourced and bottled on Harlow Hill in Harrogate announced in September that it would appeal against the planning committee’s decision to reject their much-debated expansion scheme, which had been recommended for approval by council planning officers.

Councillors had given two reasons for refusal – that the proposed landscaping would not adequately compensate for the loss of existing trees and that the appearance of the extension lacked “local distinctiveness”.

But Harrogate Spring Water, which was taken over by multi-national company Danone in 2020, believes neither reason justified departing from the professional recommendation to grant approval at the reserved matters stage for the development, which had already been granted outline planning permission.

Harrogate Spring Water argues the development is important for the future of the business and would have wider benefits for the local economy.

Its plans also include creating a new publicly accessible two-acre woodland next to Rotary Wood on land secured for the community by the company.

But campaigners against the loss of Rotary Wood next to the Pinewoods and concerned about the environment say they will fight against Harrogate Spring Water’s appeal.

The Save Rotary Wood campaign group is aiming to raise £50,000 to fund its legal and administrative participation in the upcoming planning appeal.

Pinewoods Conservation Group, a registered charity which was formed in 2022 to protect, maintain and enhance the 96-acre historic woodland, says it is awaiting the appeal documents to understand Harrogate Spring Water’s grounds for appeal, alongside confirmation of whether and, if so, how North Yorkshire Council intends to defend the decision to refuse the application.

“Pinewoods Conservation Group remains committed to protecting Rotary Wood,” the group’s newsletter said.

“We will keep members and supporters updated as soon as further information is available, including how the community can participate.”

More on Pinewoods Conservation Group here