Harrogate Spring Water has formally lodged an appeal against North Yorkshire Council’s refusal of plans to extend its bottling facility on Harlow Moor Road, following its earlier indication that it would challenge the decision.
The company has requested that the appeal be heard at a public inquiry, suggesting that proceedings could last six days. Such an inquiry would involve a formal examination of the planning issues and could require considerable preparation and resources from both the applicant and the council.
However, the six-day duration is the applicant’s estimate, not an agreed timetable. The Planning Inspectorate will decide whether the appeal is valid, which procedure should be followed and how long the process should take.
Two grounds for refusal
The appeal challenges the two grounds on which the council refused the proposed extension.
The first concerns the adequacy of proposed landscaping to compensate for the loss of existing planting and habitats. The second concerns the design of the extension, which councillors considered lacked local distinctiveness and was unsuitable for its location within a Special Landscape Area and alongside a Local Green Space.
The application was refused by the council’s planning committee in April 2026, despite planning officers having recommended approval.
A potentially lengthy process
A public inquiry is a more formal appeal procedure than one determined through written representations. It can involve detailed evidence, expert witnesses and the examination of competing arguments, with the preparation required depending on the issues being contested.
A six-day inquiry would represent a substantial commitment for the parties involved, including the council, which would need to prepare and present its defence of the refusal. The process could require input from planning officers and relevant specialists, with associated costs and demands on resources.
The applicant’s request does not, however, mean that a six-day inquiry will take place. The Planning Inspectorate will determine the appropriate procedure, taking account of the case and the matters that need to be examined.
Background to the application
The proposed expansion has a lengthy planning history, dating back to an outline application submitted in 2016, with outline permission granted in 2017. A subsequent detailed application was considered by councillors before being refused this year.
The proposals have attracted significant local opposition, including concerns about the impact on trees, habitats and the surrounding landscape. Rotary Wood has been a particular focus of concern during the debate over the expansion.
The appeal will now give Harrogate Spring Water the opportunity to challenge the council’s reasons for refusal. The Planning Inspectorate’s decisions on the procedure and timetable will determine how that challenge proceeds.