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13
Nov
Harrogate Spring Water expansion: What happens next in the fight over Rotary Wood?
The ball was set rolling this week on Harrogate Spring Water’s challenge to North Yorkshire Council over its decision to refuse its expansion plan.
The company lodged a formal planning appeal to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, which deals with planning disputes.
The move sets the stage for a public hearing between the two organisations next year, which could cost the taxpayer hundreds of thousands of pounds.
But what happens now and when will the inquiry take place?
Formal appeal
The company, which is owned by multinational food and drink company Danone, lodged its formal appeal this week.
It follows a rejection from councillors on Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency planning committee in April.
Included in the appeal is a document called a 'statement of case', which outlines the firm’s case for challenging the council’s decision.
Harrogate Spring Water. Pic: Save Rotary Wood
It comes as the firm has spent 10 years trying to gain approval for the expansion, which would involve felling felling 500 trees on public land in a section of the Pinewoods known as Rotary Wood.
Public inquiry
In appeal documents submitted to the Inspectorate, the company has called for a formal public inquiry rather than an informal hearing.
The firm said a public inquiry would be an “appropriate procedure” due to the “significant public interest in the appeal development”.
It is understood that Harrogate Spring Water has requested a six-day appeal.
This would mean that the hearing would be held at a venue in public with both organisations, plus campaigners, putting their case to a government-appointed planning inspector.
The Inspectorate has confirmed that a hearing will take place in February next year. However, a venue is yet to be confirmed.
Who will defend the appeal?
Council officials previously confirmed the authority intends to defend the decision to reject the expansion plans.
The council is no stranger to public inquiries for planning disputes.
In July 2024, Teeside developer Jomast took the council to a public appeal hearing over 53-homes on Knox Lane. However, on that occasion, authority officials decided not to contest the appeal after receiving legal advice.
Knox Lane planning hearing in Harrogate. Jomast (right) sat across from North Yorkshire Council officers in July 2024.
Meanwhile, campaigners say they are also keen to defend the refusal at a public inquiry.
Save Rotary Wood Again, the campaign group which is opposing the expansion, is aiming to raise £50,000 to help fund its participation in the appeal process.
Sarah Gibbs, who has led the campaign against the bottling plant expansion for six years, told the Stray Ferret that donations would ensure the community's voice and the case for protecting Rotary Wood would be heard at the appeal.
She added the donations, which would cover legal fees and advice, will be collected through Pinewoods Conservation Group, the charity responsible for protecting the 96-acre woodland that would be affected by the expansion.
Sarah Gibbs, of Save Rotary Wood.
Ms Gibbs said:
We're encouraged that the council is determined to defend its decision. But we can't simply leave it to the council. We've fought for this woodland for years, and we're determined to ensure the community's voice is heard throughout the appeal.
Rotary Wood is officially part of the Pinewoods, which is recognised as an Asset of Community Value. It's not just a collection of trees — it's a much-loved public place, planted by local children, whose importance to the community has been officially acknowledged.
What happens now?
North Yorkshire Council has yet to publish its statement of case for defending the appeal.
The Planning Inspectorate also needs to confirm a venue for a public inquiry. This will then be made public for those who are interested in attending.
While the ball is now rolling on the appeal, there is still some time to go before the council, Harrogate Spring Water and campaigners are in a room together to thrash out the final stages of this dispute.
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