A popular dale caravan site and farm shop has been given permission for a significant expansion plan after four years of waiting.
Paul Barkes of Thorpe Farm, next to the A66, initially applied to add 54 static caravan pitches, 14 touring pitches and 24 camping pods to the existing site in November 2021.
Several neighbours, including Rokeby Park owners Mortham Estate, objected to the proposal, as did CPRE (formerly the Campaign to Protect Rural England). However, it won support from Visit County Durham.
In a design and access statement ELG planning on behalf of Mr Barkes said the expansion of the holiday park would take place in a field north of the existing site.
The agent added that the field was already well screened by existing landforms and landscaping on its eastern, northern and western boundaries.
Permission for the original holiday park was granted in March 2012 and has grown to include an impressive farm shop facility, restaurant and other attractions.
In the latest proposal the agent said: “All the existing vegetation surrounding the site would be retained as valued features in the landscape.
New native tree and shrub planting is proposed along the east and west boundaries of the lower field.
“Native hedges are proposed along the current fenced boundary between the application site and existing holiday park and along the northern boundary of the site.
“The proposed caravan park extension will be closely connected to the existing holiday park and partly due to the topography of the site with over half the site being positioned at a lower level than the existing park and partly due to existing vegetation and proposed mitigation planting the extension will have only a minimal impact on the character of the area.”
Durham County Council’s south and west planning committee approved the plans when it met on November 20.
