Revised plans for Hambleton holiday park

A North Yorkshire farmer hoping to encourage tourism and boost jobs with the development of a green holiday park has revised and reduced his plans following concerns from local residents.

Alan Petch, from Great Ayton, withdrew his previous application for 179 chalets as part of a new £9 million development at Angrove Country Park, located between Great Ayton and Stokesley.

Following meetings with Hambleton District Council and Stokesley and Great Ayton Parish Councils, along with feedback from local residents, Mr Petch has now re-submitted a much-reduced scheme for 54 chalets which is due to be considered by the council later this year (around December).

The new scheme still features an environmentally sustainable development with a small solar park, extensive tree-planting and new wildlife corridors.

In addition, it’s estimated Angrove Country Park would create a substantial number of new jobs and bring over £4 million in tourism spend to the local area.

Mr Petch, who has the backing of Welcome to Yorkshire chief Gary Verity, has worked closely with planning consultants, local businesses and councils to revise the plans which are also in line with Hambleton District Council’s ‘Vibrant Market Towns’ initiative which aims to encourage projects that support the local economies of towns such as Stokesley and Great Ayton.

The new development would be situated on the Coast to Coast cycle route and would also help to ensure that the Endeavour Way, a much anticipated route for cyclists and walkers between Great Ayton and Stokesley, becomes a reality.

If Angrove Country Park is approved, tree-planning and work would start next spring with the project taking place in phases with minimal disruption to the immediate area.

Planning consultant, Steve Hesmondhalgh, who has advised Mr Petch on this proposal and the previous scheme for Angrove Country Park, said: “We have always been keen to work with the council planners and this revised scheme will cover around half the area of the previous one with a third of the number of chalets but still deliver great benefits to the local area.

“We hope that when this goes before Hambleton District Council’s planning committee later this year they will agree that this is a positive method of farm diversification that will benefit the local area by delivering both tourism jobs and much needed accommodation for visitors.”

Alan Petch said: “We want to work closely with local residents, businesses and councils to ensure that these plans benefit the whole community. We’ve spent a lot time revising the scheme and want to reassure people that we have addressed specific concerns and, hence, have reduced our plans. Angrove Country Park would still provide a boost for tourism and jobs in the area but the smaller scale would be even more picturesque and spacious.”