Harrogate Spring Water (Danone) has announced details of an open public consultation event for its plans to expand operations in the town, by building into an area of the Pinewoods called Rotary Woods. The consultation is limited to how the building will look, and the landscaping, and not the basis if the development should go ahead or not.
The plans are for expansion onto land currently owned by Harrogate Borough Council, and much the same as the plans previously put forward, and refused, just a bit smaller.
The current proposal has outline planning (going back to 2017), but the footprint of the proposed development was subsequently expanded and then refused by the Harrogate Borough Council Planning Committee.
HSWL have now returned to the 2017 proposal that has outline planning agreed, and are asking the public for comment on the appearance only, not if they go ahead with the planning application.
Even if planning permission is granted by the committee, the expansion can only proceed if the council agrees to dispose of the land in question to HSWL. As the land in question is an asset of community value, there would need to be a strict process followed prior to any future disposal, including public consultation.
HSWL are hosting an open event at The Crown Hotel from 4pm to 7pm on Wednesday 13 July to find out more about the proposals and to share their views.
You can also comment at https://www.harrogatespring.com/facility-extension/
- People commenting should keep in mind that this is commenting only to HSWL, and not a formal comment against the planning application, that would need to be made to HBC.
- It is also not a consultation on the disposal of the asset of community value, that will be subject to a HBC consultation
HSWL is now putting together a “Reserved Matters” application, which will detail how the new building will look and how the surrounding area will be landscaped.
Before putting in proposals to Harrogate Borough Council, Harrogate Spring Water say they want to hear from members of the local community about how they would like to see the expansion carried out.
The event on 13 July 2022 is part of a series of consultation meetings with the local community and stakeholder groups allowing people to have their say on the design and landscaping of the proposed extension and surrounding land.
They say the views will help to shape the final application, which will go on public display before being submitted to the council – but it is not a consultation on if the planning application goes forward.
Richard Hall, managing director of Harrogate Spring Water, said:
As we look to grow, create further job opportunities and continue to support the local and regional economy, it is important that we listen to the local community.
That’s why we would encourage people to engage with us on this process by coming along to the meeting on July 13, to give us the benefit of their views and to help shape the future of the company.
