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23
Oct
Harrogate Spring Water claims most residents 'have a positive impression' of expansion plans
Harrogate Spring Water has attempted to bolster its case for the expansion of its bottling plant, by commissioning a survey to support its PR campaign.
The proposed extension of the company's facilities on Harlow Moor Road in Harrogate has been highly controversial, not least because it would entail the destruction of a part of the Pinewoods which was planted 20 years ago by local schoolchildren.
Harrogate Spring Water has said it will replace the trees with six times as many in new woodland – claims branded "misleading" by campaigners and Green Party councillors.
Citing its survey findings in a press release, the company, which is owned by French multinational Danone, said:
71% of Harrogate residents, who expressed an opinion, have a positive impression of Harrogate Spring Water’s plans, reinforcing the strong local support for the project, according to a Censuswide survey.
Censuswide is a London-based company that, according to its own website, “delivers high-quality market research that drives dynamic PR and marketing campaigns”.
The press release also claimed:
92% of residents said that a new publicly accessible woodland, along with tree planting, will adequately compensate for the initial loss of trees.
A protester against the plans to build over Rotary Wood.
Strong opposition
The figures will surprise many close to the dispute, as the plans have imet with unusually strong local opposition. The planning application received 1,068 objections – almost 99% of all responses – and just 11 expressions of support.
Campaigners have also cited the loss of natural habitat, the increase in plastic bottle waste, the carbon footprint of delivering water around the country, and the amount of money received from the company by North Yorkshire Council – which they see as too low – as other reasons why the plant extension should go ahead.
The Stray Ferret has contacted Harrogate Spring Water to ask about the methodology used in taking the survey, but we have yet to receive answers.
Chamber support
Harrogate Spring Water’s press release also said that the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has reaffirmed its support for the company’s expansion plans.
It quoted the chamber’s president, Scott Jenkins, who described the expansion plan as “a bold and forward-looking step for one of Yorkshire’s most prominent brands".
He added:
The economic boost, job creation and community woodland offer a compelling package that balances business growth with environmental care. We believe this proposal sets a best-in-class example of sustainable development and urge planning officers to support it in full.
The expansion plans
Harrogate Spring Water first received outline planning consent for the bottling plant extension in 2017.
A reserved matters application that contained more details was rejected in January 2021, despite being recommended for approval by council officers.
Harrogate Spring Water was acquired in February 2020 by Danone, which is one of the world’s largest food companies, with sales last year of €27.4 billion.
Shortly after the acquisition, in May 2020, the company submitted the reserved matters application currently up for consideration. But this has been delayed by opposition from, among others, the Pinewoods Conservation Group and Save Rotary Wood, which was set up specifically to oppose it.
However, North Yorkshire Council recommended this week that the application be approved.
Richard Hall, managing director of Harrogate Spring Water, said:
Harrogate is our home and we’ve listened carefully to the community and planning officers throughout this process. Our final proposal, which includes planting six times more trees than would be lost, reflects our commitment to develop a sustainable business and protect the local environment.
The case will be decided when the Harrogate and Knaresborough Area Planning Committee meets at 2pm on Tuesday (October 28).
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