Plans for a £36m holiday park in Hamsterley Forest, which is home to ancient woodland, have sparked significant opposition.
Forestry England, Forest Holidays, and Adventure Forest propose developing 70 cabins, a campsite, and a Go Ape rope course in the forest near Bishop Auckland, County Durham.
Andrea Bainbridge, a member of the Hamsterley Forest Action Group, expressed concern that the plans would turn the area into a “theme park” and negatively impact local wildlife.
“Right now, the forest is home to trout, salmon, and otters—this would all be destroyed,” she said. “Overnight, the forest will go from having very few residents to being larger than the entire village of Hamsterley.”
The 2,000-hectare (4,942-acre) Hamsterley Forest, created by Forestry England in the 1920s, is used for lumber production in some sections, but is also popular with walkers and cyclists.
Under the proposal, Forest Holidays plans to build the cabins on commercial woodland. Forestry England aims to open a campsite on former farmhouse land, along with a new visitor center and car park. Additionally, Adventure Forest plans to set up a Go Ape rope course in Windy Bank Wood.
The Hamsterley Forest Action Group has voiced concerns over the need for infrastructure like sewage and electricity, which would involve drilling boreholes into the forest.
The Woodland Trust has raised alarms about the rope course being within ancient woodland, while Durham Bird Club highlighted potential disruption to local animal breeding seasons. Local residents also objected due to fears over traffic congestion and the strain on the area's already limited water supply.
However, Raby Estates, which owns several properties in County Durham, has supported the project, citing potential tourism benefits.
Andrea Bainbridge, who lives in one of the 20 homes within Hamsterley Forest, reiterated her concerns over the impact on wildlife.
Forestry England maintains that the development will help meet regional demand for overnight stays, create 135 jobs, and contribute £6m annually to the local economy. A spokesperson stated: “While we acknowledge concerns from The Woodland Trust, the Go Ape area will be in a non-native species section of the forest, with no ancient woodland value.”
Additionally, Forestry England said County Highways confirmed that existing roads could handle increased traffic from the site.
Forest Holidays also defended the proposal, stating: “The plans provide a new way to experience Hamsterley Forest through peaceful overnight stays, enhancing the forest’s natural habitat and benefiting both wildlife and the local economy.”