There has been some confusion around the publication of the new plans for Danone/Harrogate Spring Water to develop on the Rotary Wood area of The Pinewoods. However, we can now confirm that plans have been published on North Yorkshire Councils new planning portal that can be found here. https://publicaccess.northyorks.gov.uk/online-applications/caseDetails.d...
Unfortunately as this is a new portal you will need to create a new account to publish online. However, comments can also be emailed to planningcomments.har@northyorks.gov.uk using reference HGT20/01539/REMMAJ.
We would encourage people to review the updated documents and make their comments known as soon as possible.
You may recall that a number of councils departments had issued with the previous plans hence new/updated plans being needed. It is unclear that all concerns previous raised have been addressed.
We have undertaken a quick review with a summary as below but further more detailed analysis will take place before the 6th July deadline.
Draft Summary Observations
• Adjusted planting strategy significantly reduces the number of new trees in Rotary Woods
• Quantifies a substantial ecological deficit (20.23% habitat loss) and reliance on external credits, highlighting a major environmental downside
• The scaled-back approach concerning tree planting and woodland enhancements indicates less ambitious on-site ecological restoration compared to earlier proposals
• An increase to internal floorspace (9 sq m) from the previous application
• No updated bat survey provided that had been suggested
Next Steps
It is unlikely that a submission would be ready for the 29th July planning meeting with 26th August being a more likely date but yet to be confirmed.
We will await the updated responses from council officers with interest before Pinewoods Conservation Group make a formal submission but we would ask our members and supporters to comment as soon as possible.
