Harrogate Spring Water - Further Correspondence

29th October 2024

Planning Services (Harrogate Area),
For the attention of Jillian Rann,
North Yorkshire Council,
P.O. Box 787,
Harrogate HG1 9RW

Dear Ms Rann,

Planning Application 20/01539/REMMAJ 6.79.8103.S.REMMAJ
Harrogate Spa Water, Harlow Moor Road, Harrogate

Thank you for your consultation on the reserved matters, further revised this month, for the Bottling Facility application, re application 16/05254/OUTMAJ. We wrote previously regarding the reserved matters application on 27th February 2024.

The Civic Society was one of the few supporters of Harrogate Spring Water (HSW) at its inception. We regarded it then as an ambassador for the town and still do. We have to say, though, that at the time, the subsequent significant increased land requirement and scale of building was not envisaged.

The contribution of HSW to the economy and employment of Harrogate is acknowledged and in return we suggest that the company is in a very privileged position to be able to tap into the unique resource of the spring water, without competition.

There is much justified concern by many members of the public about the currently proposed expansion of the bottling plant in all its aspects which does not abate. Concern about climate change has increased and continues to be uppermost in many people’s minds, and is a prime concern for our Council and the Government.

It is to be hoped that there will be a net gain in biodiversity.

HSW should address the carbon footprint of the bottling plant and after- market effects of production on climate change, enthusiastically.
Are there further initiatives to come in addition to the solar panels on the roof? Perhaps ground source or air source heat pumps.

Concern has to be expressed regarding the H.G.Vs and other traffic resulting from increased operation of the bottling plant. The approach to the site has to be via roads not particularly suited to this traffic, which creates a hazard and additional damage to the roads. Also there is an adverse effect on residential amenity.

We welcome the lowering of the roof of the proposed extension and the additional timber cladding to the north western elevation.

A legal mechanism is required for implementation and maintenance of all on and off site environmental works. Along with the Rotary Club, we would agree that a Section 106 agreement should cover the conditions of approval regarding trees, grassland, shrubs and footpaths.

Harrogate should expect the best and least damaging development of the site.

So as not to be repetitive here, we ask you to continue taking our letter of 27th February 2024 into account, especially, but not only, on all matters under our heading “Woodland and Landscaping”.


Thank you again for your attention.

Yours sincerely,



Henry Pankhurst
On behalf of Harrogate Civic Society