Plans to expand Harrogate Spring Water bottling plant a step closer
A final decision will be made by the council on Tuesday.
Plans to expand Harrogate Spring Water's bottling plant have been recommended for approval.
The company want to create a new site opposite Rotary Woods - and have offered to replant trees on another site in the town.
However, green groups have argued this would not go far enough - a final decision will be made on Tuesday.
Harrogate Borough Council’s planning department said it was recommending the plans for approval because the economic benefits of the proposed development would outweigh the negative impacts.
In a report, officers said: “There are significant economic benefits of the proposed development, including job creation, other financial benefits to the district and the enhancement of the Harrogate brand.”
They added: “It is acknowledged that the proposed development would result in an additional loss of trees and would harm the landscape.
“However, subject to securing the compensation site via a legal agreement, it is considered that there would be no net loss of biodiversity or trees.”
A spokesperson for Pinewoods Conservation Group, a charity responsible for the conservation of the nearby Pinewoods forest, said: “This is unfortunately typical by Harrogate council where ecological and environmental impact of decisions are often ignored.
“The report makes it clear that a significant number of trees will be lost and the proposed development would lead to a loss of public amenity.
“The recommendation is still to approve despite the hundreds of objections and clear negative impacts. We can only hope that the councillors on the planning committee can take account of the bigger picture here.”
The plans have been recommended for approval subject to conditions on management of the woodland, landscaping, noise, hours of operation and more.