The Pinewoods Conservation Group have asked for financial support to help protect the Pinewoods against a water bottling plant development from Harrogate Spring Water/ Danone, into the Pinewoods.
If approved, the development would see an area of the Pinewoods cut down.
The group say thet they are now expecting the reserved planning application for Rotary Wood to be heard on Tue 30 September at 2pm but the planning department are still waiting for copies of consultation documents from number of council departments. A number of legal concerns have also been raised that need further investigation.
The land is owned by the council, and would subsequently also need to go through a process of transferring it to HSWL/ Danone to allow a build to commence. That would also likley need a further public consulation.
A spokesperson for Pinewoods Conservation Group said:
This is likely the final chance to protect our Pinewoods from irreversible damage. A professional legal review is vital to hold Harrogate Spring Water’s plans to account – but we cannot do it without public support. Every donation, no matter how small, will help us stand up for our community and safeguard this precious woodland for future generations.
Local volunteers and community groups have worked tirelessly to oppose this development.
They say to ensure the voices of Harrogate are properly heard, they now urgently need to fund a professional legal review of the application, to give the best chance of protecting Pinewoods and holding the company accountable to planning law and environmental safeguards.
Harrogate Spring Water/ Danone have said that they have worked with the community and are putting things in place to mitigate concerns.
- The proposed expansion would result in the permanent loss of ancient trees and habitats.
- It sets a worrying precedent for further encroachment into green spaces.
- Once destroyed, woodland cannot be replaced
A spokesperson for Pinewoods Conservation Group said:
We are appealing for donations, big or small, to cover the cost of an expert legal review. Every contribution makes a difference – together, we can give our community the strongest possible voice in protecting our green spaces.
The group have setup a funding page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/fundraiser-to-save-rotary-wood-the-pinewoods
If you wish to comment on the planning application see: https://www.harrogate-news.co.uk/2025/06/16/conservation-group-urges-the-public-to-comment-on-danone-hswl-updated-plans-for-bottling-plant-expansion-into-the-pinewoods/
