Harrogate Spring Water: 'There will be no loss of woodland if our expansion plans go ahead' pledge
Harrogate Spring Water says it is “disappointed” the town’s MP is still against its expansion plans and has issued a new pledge that there will be no loss of woodland.
The company’s robust response follows Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Tom Gordon’s announcement yesterday that he would be opposing the revised version of the bottled water firm’s controversial expansion plans which would involve the loss of trees at Rotary Wood.
Speaking today, Richard Hall, Managing Director Harrogate Spring Water, hit back saying the facts showed the company was taking meaningful steps to protect the environment near its factory at Harlow Hill and that it continued to be good neighbours to the wider community.
The statement by Richard Hall of Harrogate Spring Water
“Following the statement from Tom Gordon MP concerning our plans to expand, we’d like to take the opportunity to restate the facts of our application, which was developed following extensive consultation with local stakeholders and responds to their concerns.
“Our revised plans mean that there will be no loss of woodland.
"We will create a new area of community woodland, connected to Rotary Wood and the Pinewoods, the same size as the plot we propose to use to expand our premises.
"This new woodland will be subject to a Section 106 agreement to ensure it is publicly accessible to all.
“Regarding tree numbers, we have committed to being guided by experts.
"That is why, at the request of North Yorkshire Council’s arboriculturist, the tree planting programme has been revised.
"It will see fewer but more mature trees planted in the new community woodland in order allow it to flourish.
“However, because we know the commitment we made to plant a certain number of trees is important, we have publicly confirmed that we will increase the planting we do across additional sites in Harrogate from 1,500 to approximately 2,300.
"Our entire planting programme will see six times as many trees planted in Harrogate as are lost.
“We took Mr Gordon through our plans for the new community woodland and our tree planting programme during his recent visit.
“We believe that this is a best-in-class plan to deliver business growth while also investing to minimise environmental impact.
"We note that in their most recent submission to the Council, in which they state they are not opposing the application, Harrogate Rotary Club has stated that Harrogate Spring Water has ‘gone above and beyond’ to ensure that any loss of trees and amenity for the public will be compensated for by the new public woodland.
“In regard to our broader commitments, Harrogate Spring Water has been a certified B Corporation since 2020 – the first company in North Yorkshire to achieve the independent certification for companies achieving high standards on social and environmental impact.
"We hold the international standard, ISO 14001:2015, for Environmental Management.
“Harrogate Spring Water and parent group Danone are strong and public supporters of the introduction of a consistent national Deposit Return Scheme in the UK and are working with industry and government to put such a system in place.
“Our success as a business is rooted in the town of Harrogate, its history and its people.
"We are immensely proud to host our town’s name above our door and to share its famous water with people all over the world.
"It is disappointing that Mr Gordon has chosen to oppose our plans for sustainable development, plans which will create employment and significant benefits for the whole town.”