A new independent community survey has revealed that 86% of Harrogate residents disagree or strongly disagree with the proposed Harrogate Spring Water bottling plant expansion.
This contradicts recent claims that the project enjoys broad public support.
The survey, conducted by Suffrago and completed by almost 500 residents within 24 hours (survey link here), provides one of the clearest indications yet that the vast majority of the local community does not back the development.
This comes after a company-commissioned poll of just 200 people was promoted by the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce as evidence of “strong local support.” The Suffrago findings, with more than double the respondents and independent of corporate influence, tell a very different story.
The survey also highlights widespread concern over the loss of Rotary Wood, a community-planted woodland recognised as an Asset of Community Value, and frustration that basic environmental evidence—including the required lighting and noise assessments—is still missing from the application.
A spokesperson for Pinewoods Conservation Group, said:
“This new independent survey confirms what the community has been saying for years — local people do not support this destructive and legally questionable expansion.
"The claim of ‘strong local backing’ simply doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. Our residents value Rotary Wood and Harrogate’s green spaces far more than they value more lorries, noise, and lost biodiversity. With key surveys still missing and planning conditions unmet, this application should not even be on the table.”
A spokesperson for Suffrago added:
“We wanted to give residents a genuine, unbiased voice - and in less than 24 hours, hundreds of people responded. The result is clear: Harrogate overwhelmingly opposes this development.”
Pinewoods Conservation Group and Suffrago are urging North Yorkshire Council to take these findings seriously and to ensure transparency, legality, and community representation in any final decision.
Council officers facing "heavy workload" due to amounts of complaints about councillors
Small village schools celebrate success of ambitious enrichment programme
Police appeal to locate wanted Minskip man
Cricket legends offer to help rebuild Studley Royal pavilion
First look inside Harrogate's new interior design shop
Councillors question if council-owned housebuilder will ever turn finances around
Harrogate Town sign Bolton goalkeeper on loan
Strong Ofsted result caps milestone year for Red Kite
Calls for urgent repairs to potholes near Knaresborough
Harrogate's Squinting Cat seeks new operators
Singo Bingo night raises more than £2,650 for Dementia Forward
Harrogate charity sets £10,000 target for Nepal flood victims
Police appeal after woman sexually assaulted on The Stray
Harrogate care team to trek Sahara for Saint Michael's Hospice
Residents offered free 'life-saving' blood pressure checks
Harrogate travel agency to open first high street shop
Animal testing protest planned in Harrogate this weekend
Plans submitted for new pump track in Pateley Bridge
Unique blindfolded dining experience returns to Harrogate
Council plans £18million expansion of temporary housing
