Hundreds object to £36m forest holiday park plans

Hundreds of objections have been lodged against plans to build a £36m holiday park in a forest containing ancient woodland.

Forestry England, Forest Holidays and Adventure Forest want to build 70 cabins, a campsite and a Go Ape rope course in Hamsterley Forest near Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

Andrea Bainbridge, from the Hamsterley Forest Action Group, said the plans would turn the area "into a theme park" and harm local wildlife.

Forestry England said its vision was for Hamsterley Forest to remain "fit for the future, balancing the needs of visitors, wildlife, and the local community".

Ms Bainbridge, who lives in one of about 20 homes located in Hamsterley Forest, said about 350 people had objected to the plans.

"At the moment there are trout, there are salmon, there are otters in the water - that is going to go," she said.

"Overnight the forest is going to go from very few occupants to being bigger than Hamsterley village."

Hamsterley Forest was created by Forestry England in the 1920s and sections are used for lumber production, but the 2,000ha (4,942-acre) forest is also popular with walkers and cyclists.

Under the plans, 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 Go Ape rope course in a section of Windy Bank Wood.

The Hamsterley Forest Action Group believes the development would require sewage and electricity infrastructure to be built in the area, meaning boreholes would need to be drilled in the forest.

The Woodland Trust has raised concerns the rope course would be within ancient woodland, while Durham Bird Club said the development would disturb animal breeding seasons.

Local residents have objected on the grounds it would create traffic and put added pressure on the area's limited water supply.

However, Raby Estates, which owns a range of properties in County Durham, supported the plans as a means of boosting tourism.

Forestry England said the development would help meet the demand for overnight stays in the region, create 135 jobs and contribute £6m a year to the economy.

"We acknowledge the objection from The Woodland Trust. However, the area which Go Ape partially uses is non-native species, with no ancient woodland value," a spokesperson said.

The organisation said County Highways had confirmed the existing roads could accommodate additional traffic from the site.

A spokesperson for Forest Holidays said: "The proposals offer a new way to experience Hamsterley Forest through peaceful overnight stays immersed in nature.

"They will also contribute to long-term habitat enhancement, benefiting both the forest and its wildlife, while boosting the local economy."

Adventure Forest has been contacted for comment.

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