45 species of trees have been capturing carbon since they were planted 20 years ago by our visionary school children. The entire woodland ecosystem plays a vital role in locking up carbon. Danone HSW plans cannot compensate for the loss of our maturing woodland. Many trees within the site have been identified as significant for local biodiversity and landscape character. The proposed tree replacement plan does not account for the time needed for newly planted trees to reach the same ecological and landscape value as mature trees. This discrepancy in time and value raises concerns about habitat continuity and local biodiversity​.

We object to the removal of Rotary Wood, a maturing woodland that is a well-loved and well-used Asset of Community Value. It is  an efficient carbon capture store; much needed to help combat the climate emergency. Harrogate Spring Water plans to replace the current 45 species of trees that exist in Rotary Wood with just 18 species. The action of removing the woodland does not take into consideration the importance of the carbon captured by Rotary Wood both now and in the future as it continues to mature. We must think globally. Rotary Wood plays a key part in the solution to the global climate emergency. 

Danone HSW states that it’s revised submission (Addendum Planning Statement) that it will include:

3:1 tree planting ratio, with approximately 1,500 trees being planted to replace the 500 trees removed to facilitate the development.

It should be noted that Danone HSW plans show only 1,165 trees being planted. This is 300 trees short of its own target.

See document references:

• BIODIVERSITY_NET_GAIN_ASSESSMENT-8317085

• REVISED_OFFSITE_LANDSCAPE_GA_PLAN__REV_E 

• REVISED_LANDSCAPE_HARD_AND_SOFT_GA_PLAN__REV_E

One of our most powerful weapons in the fight against climate change are trees. Trees are the ultimate carbon capture and storage machines. Like great carbon sinks, woods and forests absorb atmospheric carbon and lock it up for centuries. They do this through photosynthesis.

• 213 million tonnes of carbon stored in UK woodlands

• 400+ tonnes of carbon per hectare locked up in trees, roots and soil.

Source: Woodland Trust

Trees have other benefits:

• Prevent flooding

• Reduce city temperature

• Reduce pollution

• Keep soil nutrient-rich

Woods are our allies in the fight against a changing climate, yet just 13% of the UK’s land area is covered by trees (compared with an EU average of 37%). The bottom line is, we need more trees and we need to protect the ones we already have.

The entire woodland ecosystem plays a vital role in locking up carbon, including the living wood, roots, leaves, deadwood, surrounding soils and its associated vegetation. Yet, Danone HSW wants to destroy Rotary Wood, which is an Asset of Community Value woodland area with 20 years’ growth and maturity. 

The Environmental Improvement Plan has a target of increasing tree canopy cover to 16.5% by 2050 through both woodland creation and supplemental tree planting.  However, Forestry Commission KPI data shows that, since 2015, development has been responsible for approximately half of the total woodland loss recorded in England. 

The proposed development involves site clearance (Rotary Wood) and the expansion of the existing bottled water facility including services and infrastructure.

The most recent ‘Tree Condition Assessment’ by Brooks Ecological (commissioned by Danone HSW) shows 45 species of trees in Rotary Wood. Danone HSW plans only show 23 species of trees being planted as a replacement for removing over 500 trees from Rotary Wood. Many of the trees are now above 5 metres tall. Listed below are the identified tree species that are currently in Rotary Wood and the tree species that Danone HSW plans to plant:

Note: The tree assessment does not show the number count of trees at Rotary Wood. 

Danone HSW have only stated that they will:

• Plant approximately 260 new trees within the site

• Plant approximately 1,165 trees on adjacent land

Harrogate Spring Waters plans only show 18 species of trees being planted on two sites totalling 1,165 trees. These are:

In addition, plans to plant mature trees are missing details regarding the higher level of maintenance that they would require.