A decision on plans by Harrogate Spring Water to remove part of Rotary Wood for expansion has been delayed, following a meeting at Harrogate’s Civic Centre.
The proposal has been under consideration for eight years and would involve cutting down trees planted by community volunteers.
Councillors deferred the decision, citing the need for more information before proceeding.
Actor Dame Judi Dench, who has publicly expressed support for protecting trees and green spaces, issued a statement ahead of the meeting.
She said:
“To destroy Rotary Wood for corporate expansion would be an act of environmental vandalism — erasing a thriving habitat planted by children and nurtured by a community that believed in protecting our future.
"I dread hearing that it may still go ahead.”
More than 100 members of the public gathered outside the council offices during the meeting to show support for preserving the woodland.
Inside the chamber, councillors debated the application and whether there were sufficient environmental guarantees.
Independent councillor Mike Schofield said:
“With so much missing information and no guarantees, the committee had no idea what it was being asked to agree to.
"We need to be sure what the community are actually getting, and that nature will be protected.”
Green Party councillor Arnold Warneken also raised environmental concerns, stating:
“This Council is facing a climate emergency.
"We should be planting trees, not chopping them down.
"They’re locking away 20 years of carbon, protecting us from heat and flooding.”
Harrogate Spring Water, owned by multinational group Danone, has not yet commented publicly following the decision.
A new date for the planning committee to reconsider the application has not been confirmed.
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