Harrogate Borough Council is voting this afternoon on controversial plans by Harrogate Spring Water to expand its bottling plant in the Pinewoods.
The 12-person planning committee is meeting virtually from 2pm to debate the proposals, which could see trees felled. A report to councillors recommends deferring and approving the application.
The issue has received 372 objections and 29 in support. Countryfile presenter Julia Bradbury has been vociferous in her opposition.
The Stray Ferret will be posting live updates from the meeting so keep refreshing this page.
3.49pm – Councillors vote to refuse Harrogate Spring Water’s bottling plant extension
Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee votes to refuse Harrogate Spring Water’s proposal to extend its bottling plant further in the Pinewoods.
3.26pm – Application is “on the front line to save the planet”
Cllr Jim Clark says the planning application is on “the front line” to save the planet.
He said:
“This is a dreadful proposal.
“This is the front line in the fight to save the planet. I know it may not seem like it from where we sit in our studies.”
3.20pm – Plan is contrary to policy to “enhance the natural environment”
Cllr Pat Marsh says the application is contrary to planning policy to “enhance the natural environment”.
Councillors will shortly vote on the officer’s recommendation.
3pm – “We do everything we can to be part of the community,” says Harrogate Spring Water
Cllr Jim Clark, committee member, asks the company if it will commit to “being a good neighbour” after concerns from residents.
Robert Pickering, of Harrogate Spring Water, says “we do everything we can to be part of the community”.
2.45pm – Harrogate Spring Water agent says “it’s not as simple as plastics versus trees”
Stuart Natkus, agent for Harrogate Spring Water, tells the committee that councillors need to remember that the application already has planning permission.
He adds that the application is “not as simple as plastics versus trees” and says the company has done “way more” ecology than any other application he has worked on.
2.36pm – Pandemic shows importance of green spaces, says Pinewoods Conservation Group chair
Neil Hind, chair of the Pinewoods Conservation Group, tells the committee that the reasons to approve the bottling plant extension “just don’t stack up”.
He adds that the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have shown the need for open spaces.
Mr Hind said:
“The pandemic has shown the importance of our green spaces. There are many reasons why this should be rejected.
“The reasons given to approve this just don’t stack up.”
2.31pm – Ward member speaks against the proposal
Cllr Sam Gibbs, ward member, says residents in his area would be affected by the application.
He says:
“I struggle to see how approval of this proposal can in any way be in the best interests of the people we represent.”
Cllr Gibbs adds that he told residents he would do “everything he could” to protect the greenspace that the land represents.
2.22pm – Councillors begin to discuss bottling plant extension
Mark Williams, case officer for the application, explains the application to committee members.
He says outline permission has already been granted. Councillors are told the application is to vary a condition for the further extension. A final application for reserved matters would have to come back to the committee.
2.05pm – Council benefit from land “not a declarable interest”
The council’s legal officer explains that the fact that the council benefits from the land the plant is on is not a declarable interest for councillors.
Peter Atkinson, legal officer at the meeting, said it was not a declarable interest “as far as members are concerned”.
2pm – Meeting starts
Cllr John Mann, chair of the planning committee, opens the meeting which is being streamed live onto YouTube.
1.50pm – Planning committee prepares to hear Pinewoods plan
Councillors on Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee are preparing to make a decision on the controversial plans to expand a bottling plant in the Pinewoods.
The Stray Ferret has published a series of reports this past week on the issue, including an intervention by TV presenter Julia Bradbury and how the borough council benefits from the plant.
Meanwhile, Harrogate Spring Water has said it welcomes the planning officers recommendations to approve the plan today.
