A decision on whether to allow Harrogate Spring Water to expand its bottling plant in the Pinewoods has been delayed until the new year.
Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee was expected to consider the controversial proposals, which include felling trees, next month.
But after talks between concerned local groups and Danone, which owns Harrogate Spring Water, the issue has been put back to allow time for further discussions around the ecology of the proposal.
Trees in the area of Pinewoods known as Rotary Wood, which were planted by families in 2015, would be lost as part of Danone’s plans.
The groups involved in the discussions are not satisfied that the loss of trees and biodiversity will be compensated for.
The groups include Harrogate Civic Society, Harrogate and District Green Party, Pinewoods Conservation Group, Zero Carbon Harrogate, the Rotary Club of Harrogate and Duchy Residents’ Association.
Read more:
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Greens petition against Harrogate Spring Water’s Pinewoods plans
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Bottling plant plans for Pinewoods to be decided in December
Danone has had outline planning permission to expand to the west of its existing site since 2016.
A spokesperson for Pinewoods Conservation Group told the Stray Ferret it hoped the extra time resulted in a plan that is “acceptable to all parties”.
The spokesperson said:
“We welcome the pause on this planning application and the offer from Harrogate Spring Water for further discussion on this important topic.
“There was a clear condition on the original planning application that there must be replacement land and trees to compensate for the ecological loss to the area.”
Nicky Cain, brand manager at Harrogate Spring Water, told the Stray Ferret the company planned to have discussions with local groups every two weeks until at least the new year.
She said:
“The delay gives us longer to consult with local stakeholders and discuss the issues around landscaping. All round it’s worked out well.”
A Harrogate Borough Council spokesman said:
“These plans are yet to be submitted and when they are there will be a period of consultation to allow residents and interested parties the chance to comment on these proposals ahead of the matter being reported to our planning committee.
“The provisional date of 8 December is no longer achievable and a date for when the application will be presented to planning committee will be decided at a later date following the receipt of the plans and consultation period.”
