Harrogate Spring Water expansion decision due

Harrogate Spring Water expansion decision due as woodland concerns spark backlash

A final decision is expected this week on the controversial expansion plans by Harrogate Spring Water, bringing a decade-long planning battle in Harrogate to a critical point.

Councillors at North Yorkshire Council are set to rule on Friday on whether the Danone-owned firm can expand its bottling plant at Harlow Hill to meet growing global demand.

Pinewoods woodland loss at heart of opposition

The proposed development has triggered strong local opposition, centred on plans to build on part of Rotary Wood in the Pinewoods — a community woodland planted more than 20 years ago by local children and volunteers, with backing from the Woodland Trust and Rotary Club.

Campaigners say the scheme would result in the loss of established woodland and increase heavy goods vehicle traffic in the area.

The Harrogate Pinewoods Conservation Group has criticised the timing of the decision, arguing that just one week’s notice for the planning meeting has limited the public’s ability to review key documents.

Long-running planning battle explained

The application has a complex history. Outline planning permission was granted in 2017, but a larger expansion proposal submitted in 2019 was rejected by Harrogate Borough Council.

The company has since returned with a scaled-back version of its original plans, which is now under consideration once again.

£17m economic boost and jobs promised

Harrogate Spring Water says the expansion is vital to support demand for its products, which are exported to more than 40 countries.

The firm claims the project could inject £17m into the regional economy, with local supply chain spending expected to rise significantly. Around half of its suppliers are already based within 50 miles of Harrogate.

The proposal is also expected to create more than 50 permanent jobs, along with around 20 construction roles during the build phase, supporting sectors including logistics, engineering, recruitment and maintenance.

Tree planting and new woodland proposed

As part of its environmental commitments, the company has pledged to create a new two-acre publicly accessible woodland near the existing site on Harlow Moor Road.

Plans include planting around 491 trees in the immediate area and up to 3,000 trees across the wider Harrogate district to offset losses.

The development would provide additional bottling and commercial space and is projected to contribute around £2.3m annually to the local economy, increasing total Gross Value Added (GVA) to approximately £6.2m.