Almost There - Crowd Justice Update

Fundraising efforts have been amazing to date but we are now into the vital last 7 days before the page will close. We are just over £600 away from our total so any last minute efforts to share or donate appreciated. Donations must be made by 8am Sunday 26th January - exactly one week from now.

If you have been meaning to or thinking about this is now really the last time! Our legal support is ready to go and as you can see from below will be vital in our challenge of both the planning application and land disposal by Harrogate Council.

Please remember - this is public land used and local residents that will be lost forever.

Click here to donate: https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/pinewoods/.

Support for Rotary Wood from TV & Radio Expert

We have disputed claims that Rotary Wood is not a successful woodland that has been supported by a leading horticultural expert. Matthew Wilson, who is now a regular panelist on Radio 4 Gardeners Question Time and has fronted his own Channel 4 show “Landscape Man”, has said:

“UK woodlands are under increasing pressure, as is biodiversity in general. Rotary Wood is an important home to a range of species of plants and animals, but is equally important as an amenity to the people of Harrogate, in an area where development is taking place at a significant rate. I hope that everything can be done to ensure that Rotary Wood is preserved as an important feature for Harrogate and a suitable compromise reached that enables a respected local business to continue to grow.”

You can read a full version of the press release sent to local media here.

Planning Committee Update

Harrogate Council's planning department have confirmed they see the proposal to increase the development by a further 42% as a material change so will be referred to the full planning committee. They have confirmed this meeting is penciled in for 31st March that is obviously some time away.

They have also confirmed that key information is missing such as an updated ecological study and further information on landscaping. There is also still no details on the 2 for 1 condition on tree replacement.

As such an extension to the 2nd February for comments will be granted to allow PCG and its members to review the new information when supplied. We will also be looking to use of legal support (assuming funding successful) to challenge all relevant aspects.

Questions Confirmed for Harrogate Spring Water Meeting

We have now collated and shared questions for our meeting on Wed 22nd with the management team at Harrogate Spring Water. Some questions have been merged and some deferred for a later meeting with Harrogate Council.

We will look to feedback answers as soon as possible after the meeting. A full list is as below.

Questions from Pinewoods Conservation Group Members to Harrogate Spring Water.

Why has the size of the extension been extended from the original outline planning application?

It has been suggested that no extension would be needed if the admin functions moved elsewhere. Has this been considered?
 
What will the extension be used for and how does that relate to the proposed new jobs that will be 53% office based and 47% factory floor?
 
There is a condition on the outline planning of 2 for 1 replacement trees. What are the plans to accomplish this, where will this be and which organisations are you working with?
 
When is the final full planning application expected?

What is the position of the land lease/disposal with Harrogate Council – and when it that likely to be agreed?
 
Will the proposed extension result in a further variation on the condition to restrict the number of HGVs – especially those that transport goods throughout the night?
 
A further planning request has been mentioned to increase the size of the car park. Can you elaborate on this and will more green space be lost?
 
What is the percentage of water extracted from the secondary source that is some distance away from the current bottling plant? Could this be bottled elsewhere?
 
Are there any plans to sink further bore holes and if so where?
 
How do these plans fit with the council’s aspiration to be one of the greenest districts?
 
It has been quoted that “Whatever we take out will be put back and the end result for the Pinewoods area will be better than at the moment.” Can you explain how?
 
In what way do you see the company as “being good neighbours”?
 
 In what ways do you feel you “support the Pinewoods”?
 
Has an updated ecology report now been completed and can that we shared so the full impact can be understood?

Pinewoods in the News!

Our concerns over the planned extension to Harrogate Spring Water continue to grow so we were pleased to be able to discuss with a journalist from The Guardian. Her article was published online last night here and covered 2 pages of the printed edition today (Saturday).

The Guardian story has been shared by readers over 100 times already with Peer Jenny Jones (Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb) sitting in the House of Lords also sharing the story online to her 31,000+ followers.

This has increased the profile of this threat not only nationally but also international with messages of support from as far as Australia (who are more aware than most of the climate emergency threat!)

Crowd Justice Update - 50% and Rising!

We are now half way into our 30 day funding scheme and have raised just over 50% of the funds that is amazing. The funds will be used to retain legal support during the planning phase and any subsequent land disposal processes by Harrogate Council.

It is vital we hit the 100% figure to secure funds so need to push hard for the remaining 2 weeks. Our campaign page has been viewed over 3000 times and 120 people have donated on average around £20 each.

If you have donated then a massive thank you. If you are yet to donate then anything you can spare would be really appreciated. If you are not able to donate then please visit the site anyway and share on Facebook and other social media to let others know.

Once green space is lost it will never be returned. 

Read more and donate via:
https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/pinewoods/.

Planning Update

Our pressure is already having an affect. Harrogate Council have now agreed this should be seen as a material change and will be referred to the full planning committee. This will allow councillors to undertake a proper review of the plans.

A report has also been published from the councils Principal Ecologist who doesn't support the plans saying:

"There is currently no support for the revised application from an ecological perspective, as there is no evidence submitted that the development can be implemented with no net loss to biodiversity"

This will help support our argument on the net loss of green space. We also await replies from Andrew Jones MP on his views and from the Principal Planner on a number of queries raised.

We will remain keeping members and supporters updated.