Rotary Wood is listed as a:

Deciduous Woodland Priority Habitat (DEFRA)

Asset of Community Value (North Yorkshire Council)

Special Landscape Area (North Yorkshire Council)

5,501 bat detections were documented in a survey this year, including UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species. Bats are protected under UK and European legislation.

The badgers on site are protected by the Protection of Badgers Act 1992

Increased noise from construction activities, operational processes, and traffic (especially from HGVs) will have both short and long-term negative effects on humans and wildlife.

Increased traffic will result in congestion, air pollution and will impact on road safety.

The current plans by Harrogate Spring Water (HSW) do not meet the 10% increase in biodiversity value set by the statutory framework for biodiversity net gain and they do not offer any legal commitment to achieving the target that can be enforced by the Local Planning Authority (LPA).

North Yorkshire Council should have given Pinewoods Conservation Group (PCG) the Right to Bid for Rotary Wood because of its status as an Asset of Community Value.

The Pinewoods has been an asset of community value since 4th March, 2015. It is registered as such on North Yorkshire Council’s Register of Assets of Community Value.

45 species of trees have been capturing carbon since they were planted 20 years ago.

The entire woodland ecosystem plays a huge role in locking up carbon. Danone HSW plans cannot compensate for the loss of our maturing woodland; newly planted trees need decades to reach the same ecological and landscape value as mature trees.

Danone HSW’s plans are in direct conflict with national and local policy, including.

“We will halt the decline in our biodiversity so we can achieve thriving plants and wildlife.”

The Environmental Improvement Plan, 2023

The proposed management plan by Harrogate Spring Water includes the long-term use of glyphosate: a chemical harmful to humans, the environment, pets and wildlife.

“Pets may be at risk of digestive or intestinal problems if they touch or eat plants that have just been sprayed.” - Food and Drug Administration

Rotary Wood is frequented by dog walkers and families. Putting members of the public, including children, at risk and their pets is unacceptable.

There are major design differences between the December 2016, May 2020, and February 2024 Design and Access Statements. The design has increased from 4,800 square meters to 5,458 square meters.