Decision deferred on Harrogate Spring Water
Plans to extend its bottling facility into land on Rotary Woods have been delayed, as North Yorkshire Council requests more information on how the company intends to make up for the loss of woodland.
The proposed development would consist of three units measuring around 52,000 sq ft, and would create around 50 jobs in the town.
It would extend north of the current facility onto around four acres of woodland.
Harrogate Spring Water openly acknowledges that the proposal will necessitate the removal of trees and cause harm to the landscape, but believes this would be outweighed by the economic benefits to the town.
Landscaping and ecological proposals include planting around 400 trees on site; the creation of a new, two-acre publicly accessible woodland next to the factory; the planting of 3,000 trees around Harrogate; a drainage pond; a living wall; and potentially a green roof – although this would be determined later on.
The project team includes planning consultant Barton Willmore and its landscape design branch, both of which are now owned by Stantec.
The scheme has caused local controversy and garnered more than 1,200 complaints, although has received support from the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, with president Scott Jenkins saying: “Harrogate Spring Water is a true local success story, promoting Harrogate on the global stage from Royal Ascot to leading international airlines.
“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.”
