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28
Oct
Councillors defer controversial Harrogate Spring Water expansion
Councillors have deferred controversial plans for Harrogate Spring Water to expand its bottling plant.
The expansion would mean the loss of around 500 trees in Rotary Wood, an area of community woodland planted around 20 years ago and owned by the council.
The company, which is owned by food and drink multinational Danone, says almost 3,000 new trees will be planted to make up for those lost due to the expansion and the scheme will boost jobs and the local economy.
However, councillors on Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency planning committee today voted to defer the plans to another committee pending further information over ecology and a section 106 agreement.
The plan was recommended for approval by North Yorkshire Council planning officers.
It means the application will be brought back before another planning committee at a later date.
Campaigners have long argued that the move will “destroy valuable public green space that forms part of the Pinewoods and wider Harrogate green corridor”.
Meanwhile, objectors against the bottling plant expansion held a protest outside the Civic Centre this afternoon ahead of committee meeting.
Cllr Peter Lacey (left), Cllr Matt Walker (centre) and Cllr Philip Broadbank at the planning meeting.
Following the meeting, Tom Gordon, Harrogate and Knaresborough MP, said the move to defer the application "helps no one".
He said:
The planning committee’s choice to defer a decision on Harrogate Spring Water’s expansion is just kicking the can down the road – failing to protect our precious woodland.
It’s clear there won’t be a consensus on this. When I attended the Pinewoods Conservation Group meeting, which Harrogate Spring Water were part of, the deep divisions were obvious. Our community wants Rotary Wood protected, not bulldozed.
This delay helps no one. It’s time for the council to listen to local people, recognise the strength of feeling, and make a firm commitment to protect Rotary Wood once and for all.
Meanwhile, Richard Hall, managing director of Harrogate Spring Water, said:
Our plans represent a significant investment in Harrogate, creating over 50 new jobs, delivering an annual £2.3 million boost to the local economy, and a commitment to protecting the local environment.”
We will continue to engage with the relevant parties, ahead of the next planning committee meeting.
See our live blog for a recap of today’s meeting.
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