Log cabin park plan put on hold over safety fears
Verdict on ex-sawmill scheme postponed
AN AMBITION to extend the conversion of a former North York Moors sawmill into “the best log cabin park in the country” to meet demand for a post-lockdown boom in staycations has been put on hold following claims it would create a “death trap” on an A-road and explosive confrontations between shooting enthusiasts and tourists.
The North York Moors National Park Authority’s planning committee agreed to postpone a decision on Cloughton Wood Lodges Limited’s proposal to build highquality accommodation for up to 120 people near Cloughton after hearing a litany of concerns that the scale of the scheme would impact on road safety and increase light pollution near the recently designated Dark Skies Reserve.
The committee was told the holiday park would bolster the local economy at a crucial time, particularly as it was close to the heritage coast, the Cinder Track former railway line between Whitby and Scarborough and the A171 coast road. Applicant John Purcell said benefits of the exVisitors
panded holiday park, from which stag and hen parties would be discouraged from visiting, would include improved biodiversity.
He said: “The Government is positively promoting these sorts of facilities and are keen to open up the country to more people. will be able to stay at this park and explore the North York Moors, the heritage coastline and everything in the area.”
However, members heard Adrian Legg, an owner of 98 acres of commercial woodland to the north of the site, believed while the holiday park was highlighting public footpaths in the woods as a resource for its guests, increasing visitor numbers raised dangers from seasonal timber operations and sporting activities involving the regular use of firearms.
Member Colin Williamson said: “There is concern from people living in the patch about the shooting facilities. If there’s shooters and holidaymakers on the same site then it’s going to be a big conflict.”
Members were told the most controversial element of the scheme had seen people dispute the conclusions of North Yorkshire County Council’s highways department, which had raised no objections provided lanes to slow and turn into the site were added. Ahead of members agreeing to visit the site to examine the plans, Malcolm Bowes, the authority’s deputy chairman, said a more modest proposal was needed at the site.