Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
04
Jul 2022
Rotary Wood campaigners stage demo in Valley Gardens
Environmental campaigners held a demonstration in Valley Gardens at the weekend to raise awareness of the threat to Harrogate's Rotary Wood.
Harrogate Spring Water, which is owned by French firm Danone, has revived 2017 plans to fell trees in Rotary Woods so it can expand its bottling plant.
The company's plans would involve removing a smaller area of woodland than it proposed in a failed planning application last year.
But campaigners are still concerned about the loss of trees in part of the Pinewoods that was planted by children in 2005 to help tackle climate change.
Harrogate forest school teacher Sarah Gibbs donned her tree costume to join fellow activists during Saturday's four-hour gathering, which aimed to tell people about Rotary Wood and the company's expansion plans. She said:
Rebecca Maunder, who also took part in the protest, said:
Graham Dixon, who was also present, said:
'Net biodiversity gain'
Harrogate Spring Water has said it wants to achieve “net biodiversity gain” for the site, carry out a compensatory tree planting scheme and will make the remaining part of Rotary Wood more accessible to the public.
It is currently consulting on its plans before submitting a formal reserved matters planning application to Harrogate Borough Council. It says the expansion would create 30 jobs.
Richard Hall, managing director at Harrogate Spring Water, said previously:
0