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24
Mar 2022
New details have emerged about Harrogate Spring Water’s rental agreements with the borough council, as the company has still yet to reveal latest expansion plans for its bottled water plant.
After being refused permission to expand onto Rotary Wood in January 2021, the company said it would submit new plans “in the coming weeks”.
But eight months on after that statement last July, there is still no sign of another planning application from the firm which faced a backlash from campaigners, residents and councillors after having its proposals recommended for approval by Harrogate Borough Council.
The council has now revealed new details of a turnover-based rent agreement that it has had with Harrogate Spring Water since the company first opened its Harlow Hill site in 2002.
In response to a Freedom of Information request, the council refused to say how much money it has received as the details are deemed to be of “commercial value”.
But it did disclose for the first time that it receives 0.5% of Harrogate Spring Water’s annual turnover.
And when calculated using the company’s turnover figures, the Local Democracy Reporting Service has found that the council has received an estimated £853,033 over an 18-year period.
This is on top of an annual base rent which was initially agreed at £10,000 in 2002 and has since climbed to £15,232 following a review every five years.
Aerial view of Harrogate Spring Water. Pic: Pinewoods Conservation Group
The council also confirmed it has no other turnover-based rent agreements with any other of its tenants.
And it said the rent from Harrogate Spring Water is used to “deliver valuable front-line services across the Harrogate district.”
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