Harrogate Spring Water refutes expansion criticism and vows a '£2.3 million boost to the local economy '
The bottled water company at the centre of a long-running environmental controversy in Harrogate says it refutes opponents’ claims about its expansion plans and their impact on biodiversity.
With a key decision by county councillors on the Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Planning Committee over its final expansion plans scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, Harrogate Spring Water has issued an official statement to explain its position and its argument that their plans would actually bring a 10% biodiversity net gain.
The company, which was family-owned before being taken over in 2020 by multi-national drinks giant Danon, denies that the loss of trees at Rotary Wood near its bottling plant on Harlow Hill represent a net loss for Harrogate and its environment.
Whether this in itself will in any way mollify fierce opponents of the plans who include the Save Rotary Wood Campaign, the town’s MP, local councillors and the Pinewoods Conservation Group is another matter.
Harrogate Spring Water’s statement
“Harrogate Spring Water’s plans will see us invest in both the business and the community.
"The creation of 50 new jobs, an additional £2.3 million boost to the local economy every year, and a commitment to respect the local environment are part of ensuring the right balance between economic growth and sustainable development.
“The planning application submitted in 2017 required no net loss of biodiversity.
“Since then, we’ve listened to the community and committed to a 10% biodiversity net gain, which will be delivered in addition to the planning application requirements.
"This will be achieved through on-site and off-site planting and purchasing credits to support biodiversity projects.
“Following extensive community consultation, our plans include a new publicly accessible two-acre woodland, of the same size as the area impacted, connected to the Pinewoods.
"We have also committed to further tree planting, resulting in six times as many trees being planted as would be lost during the building process.
“We will also support any application for the new woodland’s designation as an Asset of Community Value, to ensure it is and remains an accessible, pleasant and environmentally diverse space for the people of Harrogate.”