Calls to drop forest holiday park plan

Residents have urged Forestry England to drop plans for a holiday park, which has faced hundreds of objections.

Forestry England and Forest Holidays want to build 70 cabins, a campsite, cafe, restaurant, shop and staff accommodation in Hamsterley Forest, County Durham.

But in an open letter Hamsterley Forest Action Group (HFAG ) called on the agency to withdraw the planning application and "put the protection of people, wildlife, the environment and the public purse first".

A Forestry England spokesperson said their focus remains on securing Hamsterley Forest's future, improving opportunities for visitors, supporting local communities and delivering environmental, social and economic benefits.

Plans for the development were submitted in October 2024, but a decision is yet to be made following requests for additional information and opposition from the Environment Agency (EA).

In a recent letter of objection, the EA said the campsite plans posed a "risk to life" and could pollute waterways.

Forestry England has previously said it wanted to deliver "long-term benefits" for the area and would continue to review issues raised.

HFAG said in its open letter the EA's response raised "serious and fundamental concerns" which could not be "dismissed as minor amendments".

It added additional documents were still being submitted "with no clear sign that the process will conclude".

"Continuing to pursue an application facing sustained regulatory objections and requiring significant further assessment risks committing substantial additional public money to a proposal whose fundamental suitability remains in question," the letter said.

"At what point does Forestry England accept that this planned development is not feasible and that this is not how a responsible, evidence-led planning application should look?"

Forest resident and HFAG member Andrea Bainbridge said it was hoped the letter would "bring the situation to a head".

"It's been ongoing nearly two years now and there just seems to be no end to it.

"How much longer is this actually going to go on?"

Bainbridge added a public meeting should be held to come up with ways to secure investment for the forest while protecting the environment.

Hamsterley Forest was created by Forestry England in the 1920s and sections are used for lumber production, but the nearly 5,000 acre woodland is also popular with walkers and cyclists.

Forest Holidays wants to build cabins on a section of commercial woodland while Forestry England wishes to open a camping ground on former farmhouse land and construct a new visitor centre and car park.

Adventure Forest also plans to open a treetop rope course in a section of Windy Bank Wood.

A Forestry England spokesperson said they would "work constructively with Durham County Council and statutory consultees, providing any further information required".

They added: "Natural England has not objected to the application. Its advice is that Durham County Council should undertake a Habitats Regulations Assessment as part of its decision-making process.

"Given the level of public interest in these proposals, it is important that discussions are informed by the evidence and the matters being considered through the planning process."

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