Judi Dench Condemns Plan to Destroy Harrogate's Rotary Wood for Bottled Water Factory

In a move that has sparked outrage among local residents, renowned actress Judi Dench has condemned plans to replace 500 trees in Harrogate's Rotary Wood with a bottled water factory. Dench, who has strong ties to the area, described the proposal as an 'act of environmental vandalism' that would destroy a thriving habitat planted by children and nurtured by the community.

The expansion plans by Harrogate Spring Water, which would see the company's plant on Harlow Moor Road grow, have faced significant backlash. Dench's comments, read out at a recent meeting of North Yorkshire Council's planning committee, have helped draw wider attention to the issue. The actress, who is originally from York, has a long history of supporting environmental causes, including being a patron of the Woodland Trust.

Protesters have staged multiple demonstrations to save Rotary Wood, which is part of the Pinewoods green corridor and used daily by locals for walking, education, and wellbeing. While the company claims the expansion would create 50 new jobs, the planning committee has deferred its decision, requesting more information on how the lost trees would be replaced.