We want to say a few words about our proposals to extend our Harrogate Spring facility and the plans going to Harrogate Council this week (26 February).
We have seen comments in the media and on social media about the proposals and we take these views seriously. We want to reassure everyone, especially our neighbours, of our focus on promoting biodiversity, the local environment and our commitment to supporting local amenity spaces.
Since we first started preparing these plans, we have hosted community meetings and run a public consultation, especially so we could listen to the community’s views. We understand how important protecting the local environment and amenity spaces is – and we share that view.
To develop our proposal we enlisted conservation experts to create a replanting scheme which ensures the conservation of the local environment. An independent ecologist also reviewed the site and identified how the replacement land and the landscaping of the existing site can provide a greater variety of habitats than that which currently exists. This means the plans for replacement of the woodland and habit will improve this value further.
Some of the key points of our proposal include:
– Replanting double the trees we remove to ensure long-term biodiversity between the remaining area of Rotary Wood and an ecologically adjacent site.
– Embedding a minimum 30-year plan to support the growth and development of the replanted and new trees, which will continue to be protected after that time by Tree Protection Orders.
– Enhance the local amenity space of Rotary Wood by improving drainage, landscaping, improving paths, installing play facilities or a trim trail and providing information boards.
– A commitment to bolstering more green space nearby by planting woodland, wildflower meadows and installing a pond to continue efforts to encourage local wildlife and biodiversity, with new habitats.
Every one of us at Harrogate Spring Water is immensely proud to fly the flag for our region and to help play a role in putting Harrogate onto a national and global platform. These proposals will play a role in allowing us to continue to do this and to further support the local and regional economy as an employer and through supporting our local supply chain.
Whatever the outcome of this planning application, we commit to continued dialogue with all those who have shared their views, to ensure that they are consulted about the landscaping of our site and any impact on Rotary Wood.
We are requesting this opportunity to extend our site in order to secure the long-term future of Harrogate Spring Water and to continue to provide award-winning naturally sourced water from Harrogate, honouring a heritage of 450 years. We know this means acting with real care and consideration towards the environment, and being responsible and inclusive in what we do at all times. We want to continue to have a positive impact in the area, including our long-standing commitment to the environment and our community, well into the future.
