Harrogate Spring Water has welcomed a council report that recommends councillors approve the company’s controversial expansion plans.
A report published by HBC case officer Mark Williams’ recommends the firm’s plans to extend its bottling plant by 40% are deferred and approved subject to a section 106 legal agreement being drawn up for biodiversity. This would confirm where trees that would be felled in an area of the Pinewoods known as Rotary Wood would be replanted.
The report describes Harrogate Spring Water as a ‘global brand’ and ‘strategic employer’ that makes a significant contribution to the local economy.
But the felling of trees, planted by the community in 2005, has proved to be a hugely emotive issue with local groups and even a TV presenter, feeling the environmental price to pay is too high.
Rob Pickering, sales and marketing manager for Harrogate Spring Water said welcomed the council’s recommendation:
“We’re pleased with the outcome of the planning committee report and are grateful for the council’s support with this application.”
“We’d like to reassure the local community that the plan for Rotary Wood places a huge focus on supporting the local environment and promoting biodiversity.
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The HBC report recommends the plans are deferred and approved subject to a section 106 legal agreement being drawn up for biodiversity that confirms where the trees would be replanted.
Mr Pickering added:
“Our plans include a commitment to replacing the trees on a two for one basis and a long term plan to ensure they are looked after and protected. And for the area of Rotary Woods that will remain as woodland, we will be investing to enhance its accessibility and usability for the community.”
“We are and will continue to be good considerate neighbours within Harrogate. We’ll look to work with everyone around us to ensure they play a key part in shaping the area.”
The council’s planning committee will meet on Tuesday next week to consider the proposals.
Who is on the planning committee?
Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee is made up of 12 councillors. 9 are Conservatives, two are Liberal Democrats and one is a Ripon Independent.
They usually meet every three weeks to make decisions on bigger, more sensitive planning applications. Since the covid pandemic began in March, meetings have taken place online and are streamed live on YouTube for anyone to watch.
Despite the recommendation to approve the Pinewoods proposals, the committee could still refuse it. Councillors have gone against HBC officer recommendations on two other high-profile occasions in recent months.
In November, they refused a 72-home reserved matters application in Spofforth and earlier this month they approved St Aidan’s secondary school’s application to build a 3G artificial sports pitch.
Harrogate Spring Water’s Pinewoods proposals have had a huge public response which could influence the decision of councillors. At the time of publication, it has garnered 328 objections and 28 in favour.
