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19
Jan 2021
TV presenter criticises Harrogate Spring Water's Pinewoods plans
TV presenter Julia Bradbury has described Harrogate Spring Water's plans to cut down trees in the Pinewoods to expand its bottling plant as "beyond destructive".
Harrogate Borough Council's planning committee has been recommended to conditionally approve the controversial plans, which have captured national attention in recent days with an article in the Independent and a passionate debate on social media.
Trees in the area of Pinewoods known as Rotary Wood, which were planted by families in 2015, would be felled as part of plans by Harrogate Spring Water’s parent company Danone to expand its bottling plant.
Talks between Danone and local green groups have failed to reach agreement on a solution that would compensate for the loss of biodiversity and community access.
Former Countryfile host Ms Bradbury, who is a well-known advocate for the outdoors, tweeted her opposition to the proposal on Sunday.
https://twitter.com/JuliaBradbury/status/1350739832251805696
She also tweeted Emmanuel Faber, chief executive of Harrogate Spring's water parent company Danone, that called on the firm to "do the right thing".
Yesterday she told the Stray Ferret that Danone's plans were "like a plot from a bad nature documentary".
Ms Bradbury also criticised the company's use of plastic bottles, saying "you can't recycle your way out of" the plastic waste crisis seen around the world. She said:
Read more:
- Impasse between Harrogate Spring Water and local groups continues
- Pinewoods tree protester vows to lobby council offices every week
A Harrogate Borough Council report published yesterday recommended councillors conditionally approve the plans on Tuesday next week.
The application, which would lead to 12 new jobs, has received 328 objections and 28 in support.
Danone argues that the proposals, which include a new pond, a 30-year long replanting programme and a grassland 'green' roof will benefit the local environment.
Harrogate Spring Water's sales and marketing manager Rob Pickering told the Stray Ferret the plans would "promote biodiversity". He added:
Council case officer Mark Williams’ report describes Harrogate Spring Water as a ‘global brand’ and ‘strategic employer’ that makes a significant contribution to the local economy.
The report acknowledges concerns about issues such as the loss of trees and increase in single use plastics but concludes:
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