A new hotel and motorhome campsite is set to be developed on land adjacent to Rydon Village in Holsworthy, following the approval of a planning application by Torridge District Council’s planning committee.
The proposal, which was approved on Tuesday, June 18, passed with five votes in favor and three against.
The development includes a 30-bed hotel and designated space for motorhomes and is projected to generate approximately 35 permanent jobs, with an additional 40 construction roles anticipated during the building phase, according to the planning documents.
The site’s proximity to Rydon Village, a retirement community home to 83 residents, has raised concerns among locals.
Resident Sylvia Argyrou stated that the village would be overlooked by the new development, warning it would “strip us of our privacy and peace.” Other residents echoed concerns, citing potential increases in air, noise, and light pollution.
Independent councillor Kit Hepple, who represents Milton and Tamarside, opposed the project, describing it as “the wrong development in the wrong place.”
He also questioned the safety of the shared access route and raised issues with the proposed footpath along the A3072 that would connect the site to Holsworthy town centre.
Despite the opposition, council leader Ken James supported the project, noting the lack of comparable accommodation in the area.
“There is very little accommodation in the area,” he told the BBC, referencing Bideford as the location of the nearest similar hotel. James also emphasized that the project aligns with Torridge District Council’s broader economic strategy aimed at reducing deprivation.
Tim Jones, chair of the Great South West Investment Board and a member of the South West Business Council, said the project signals confidence in the local economy.
“I think this application shows that Holsworthy is open for business and committed to economic development,” he said. “I have known this area for 30 years, I cannot remember a time when the prospects for Holsworthy have been as good as they are now.”
However, not all officials were convinced of the development’s benefits. Philip Pennington, a non-aligned councillor for Monkleigh and Putford, raised concerns about the quality of employment being offered.
He argued that hospitality jobs are often low-paid and questioned whether the project would reduce the number of local working residents receiving Universal Credit.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality industry, this case underscores a recurring tension between local economic development and residential impact, particularly when developments border retirement or residential communities.
It also highlights the ongoing push to increase accommodation infrastructure in underserved rural areas, potentially opening new opportunities for operators willing to navigate local planning dynamics and community feedback.