ADVICE on possible proposals for new holiday cottages and caravan sites was among the most popular requests made to county planners by people in the dale last year.
A freedom of information (FOI) request by the Teesdale Mercury shows that pre-application advice was sought about potential tourism developments at eight sites in area.
Barnard Castle Caravan Club sought advice on putting up 16 new accommodation units and 18 new pitches at its site along Lartington Lane in January last year, while the owners of West Nettlepot, in Lunedale, enquired about installing glamping pods in April.
Two queries were made to planners about caravan site exemptions at Ivy Hall Farm, in Bowes, and Sandbed Farm, in Ramshaw.
In May, advice was sought about putting up six timber caravans to be used as holiday lets on land at East Rowntree Farm, in Hamsterley. The plan also included replacing a barn with a stable block for horses.
In the same month an enquiry was made to change the use of an annex at Hauxwell Farm, in Marwood, to a holiday cottage.
The owners of Manor Stables, along the Staindrop Road, at West Auckland, asked for advice on converting a stable block into six self-contained units for people seeking respite, or as a B&B.
The developers also asked about building a conservatory and summerhouse at the site.
Prior to selling their property, the owners of Jersey Farm were considering developing a caravan park, the FOI revealed.
The had enquired about developing two grazing fields to the north of the property for touring and static caravans as well as lodges.
Initially there would have been 12 static caravans and 12 pitches for touring caravans.
However, the hotel has been sold and the new owners are developing their own plans to turn the complex into a high-end wedding venue.
The trend continued into this year with the owners of Alwent Hall, along the Winston Road at Staindrop, asking for advice on converting farm buildings into three holiday cottages in January.
