Northumberland County Council has recommended the second phase of a holiday park near Widdrington for planning approval, despite objections from locals.
Park Holidays’ new site, already under construction, includes 275 static caravan plots and 200 touring caravan plots in its first phase. The company submitted the planning application for the second phase in December 2022, which proposes extending the park with 425 additional bases for holiday homes—50 fewer than initially planned.
The plans have been altered to include general recreation space instead of a nine-hole golf course.
According to an article published by the Northumberland Gazette on July 1, outline permission for phase two was granted in 2020, alongside full consent for phase one. The development features a bathroom block, a reception-and-amenity building, an outdoor play area, water activities, a workshop, and access roads.
The 104-hectare site, formerly the Steadsburn opencast coal mine that ceased operations in 2011, now contains three man-made lakes.
The planning application has faced resistance, receiving 33 letters of objection and a petition with 40 signatures. Concerns include the development’s scale, potential impacts on wildlife, increased traffic, and strain on local public services.
Tritlington and West Chevington Parish Council emphasized the need to consider residents’ views, noting numerous concerns raised by the community.
“Requests that the views of the local residents are taken into consideration as a large number of concerns have been raised,” the council said.
Widdrington Parish Council also objected, stating the proposal would harm local wildlife and the environment. “This application will blight local wildlife, the environment, and the community, and will bring no long-term benefits to Widdrington Village or the surrounding areas. All the parish council can see is increased traffic, some unsuitable for the terrain, increased crime rates, and reduced public safety,” Widdrington Parish Council said.
A planning report from Park Holidays argued that the site’s existing leisure development principle justifies the extension, which would bring significant economic benefits through job creation and visitor spending.
In addition, council officers recommended the plans for approval, noting in their report that consultations with public protection colleagues indicated noise, air, or light pollution would not adversely affect residents’ amenities once the development is completed.
The Castle Morpeth Local Area Planning Committee will meet on July 8 to decide on the application.
