Long-awaited documents for a £32m tourist development in Hamsterley Forest have been submitted.
Forestry England first submitted plans at the end of 2024 for 70 eco-cabins with hot tubs, a new visitor centre, a Go Ape tree-top adventure course as well as camping and bunk house facilities.
The application received a barrage of objections, including opposition from the Environment Agency and Woodland Trust.
The new information includes a habitats regulations appraisal, biodiversity net gain assessment, a bird report and a hydrogeological impact appraisal – all produced by consultants WSP.
Many concerns were aimed at the forest’s lack of water and sewage mains and how much borehole water would be abstracted and how wastewater would be treated and disposed of, particularly from the hot tubs.
In the new reports, it says the proposed site for water abstraction is not near any existing boreholes and would not affect other supplies.
As for wastewater, Forestry England said: “The additional detail prepared by WSP in relation to the discharge of treated foul water confirms that the discharge will have no adverse impact on water quality.
“This related to the consideration of water vole and otter. The submitted ecological reports confirmed that there are no concerns over the potential impact on these species and this is now reiterated in the updated documents accompanying this submission.”
Forestry England said stretches of coniferous trees would be replaced by native broad leaf species to improve bird habitat.
Hamsterley Forest Action Group, which was formed to oppose the scheme, has more than 1,500 followers on its social media site.
Tonya Irving of the group said: “We are reviewing the information in detail, and are very aware we have just 21 days (including weekends and the bank holiday) in which to respond.”
Forestry England in its submission to planners said: “The detail presented in the report provides the local authority the assurance that a suitable scheme can and will be delivered.”
