Sustainability, Environment and Development Professional | Private Sector, Social Enterprise and Not for Profit Sector Sustainability
Danone made huge profits, and give healthy and increasing dividends to shareholders as seen here https://lnkd.in/ezs39xYZ My email to the Council's planning dep. "I wish to place on record my strong objection to the above planning application by the Danone Harrogate Water Corporation in Harrogate. Considering all we know about climate change, loss of biodiversity and the role that trees and forests play in the eco-system, for nature and our own health, I am amazed that a company that promotes 'clean' Harrogate water to the world is even considering such a regressive development. I walk frequently through and around the Rotary Woods and Pine Woods. A lovely area enjoyed by families, the elderly and many children. Already there a large number of heavy water trucks driving to and from Harrogate Water's plant, they are clearly damaging a public road (a road taxpayers will need to pay for repairing), and these trucks pose a danger to pedestrians and cyclists who share and cross the road. Adding more heavy goods traffic is both non-sensical & not in the interests of people, nor the finances of the council itself. It benefits Danone only. I understand that protected bats and badgers call the woods home. Replanting new trees in place of older growth trees and established woodland is obviously not going to provide a home for these protected species, in fact it will both displace and potentially kill the existing wildlife, including a significant bird population. Whilst Danone's proposal to use durable, harmful chemicals to manage any new woodland further threatens wildlife and your rate payer's health and well-being. Not only is this in direct conflict to the public's interests, I cannot see how Danone's own brand will not be damaged by such measures. There are other matters that Danone's application directly conflicts with or contradicts, including government policy, and the Deciduous Woodland Priority Habitat, Asset of Community Value and Special Landscape area status of Rotary Woods. By itself this surely shows that the application should not be granted, and any future attempts thrown out with it. Danone is a highly profitable multi-national business who can and should afford to find an alternative to this clearly unpopular and regressive plan. They are more than capable of finding profits in other parts of their water businesses across the globe that do not cause so much damage. In fact, it is in their own interests and ESG credentials to put profits second to the well-being of our shared environment, the wildlife that relies and thrives in it currently, and the health and well-being of your rate payers, all our neighbours and their children. Please put local people and the environment before Danone's profits and reject the planning application - they have alternatives".
