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Oct 2022

Environment

Campaigner buoyed by show of support for Harrogate's Rotary Wood

Published: 9 Oct 2022, 09:39 BST

Updated: 9 Oct 2022, 09:39 BST

by John Plummer

Sarah Gibbs feels the campaign to prevent Harrogate Spring Water expanding in the Pinewoods is gathering momentum and is planning more events.

Pic credit: Edward Lee @edfclee

Activist Sarah Gibbs has pledged to step-up the campaign to save Harrogate's Rotary Wood after more than 100 people took part in the latest event.

Harrogate Spring Water, which is owned by French firm Danone, has revived 2017 plans to fell trees in Rotary Wood so it can expand its bottling plant.

Ms Gibbs has been at the forefront of the campaign to persuade councillors to reject the application when it comes before Harrogate Borough Council's planning committee.

She has organised numerous protests and stunts, often while dressed as a tree, to raise awareness of the issue.

Last weekend's walk to Rotary Wood was perhaps the most popular yet, attracting local people as well as delegates in Harrogate for the Green Party autumn conference.

Ouseburn councillor opens Green Party conference in Harrogate

Rotary Wood campaigners stage demo in Valley Gardens

Among those taking part was 19-year-old Lucy Turner, who travelled from Manchester, where she attends university. She said:

"I’m from Harrogate and planted the trees here with Western Primary School when I was seven years old. Rotary Wood is extremely valuable to me.

"Expanding a company that produces plastic bottles is already extremely damaging to the environment and the fact that in doing so the Rotary Wood would be destroyed exacerbates the carelessness of this proposal, especially given the climate crisis we are currently battling."

Neil Hind, chair of Pinewoods Conservation Group, said:

"We know the expansion plans remain a concern for the majority with the potential loss of acres of woodland and community green space."

Ms Gibbs said the "fantastic turn-out was a reminder that these woods really do matter to so many people" and she feels the campaign is gathering momentum.

She said:

"Since our walk on Sunday there has been new and renewed interest and enthusiasm to save Rotary Wood.

"Members of the community have come forward to offer their support and so we plan to have discussions together regarding next steps asap.

"This is community in action so everybody’s input is welcome and valued.

"We envision future events and actions to be fun, creative, and educational. Most importantly, we hope to offer a variety of approaches to be as inclusive and engaging as possible."

It is not known when Harrogate Spring Water's planning application will come before the council's planning committee.

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Campaigner buoyed by show of support for Harrogate's Rotary Wood

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