LATE last year, a planning application that proved controversial and with considerable opposition from villagers was made to Durham County Council.
Application number DM/24/02979/FPA was for extensive alterations to Hamsterley Forest, which included a new visitor centre and café, a Go Ape attraction and 70 wooden holiday chalets each with a hot tub among other attractions. Villagers and other users of the forest from farther afield reacted by sending in objections. The application has yet to be heard.
In May this year, Forestry England, the applicants, asked for an extension to the application, which was granted until the end of July. Weeks later, the objectors are still awaiting their opportunity to put their case against it. The Hamsterley Forest Action group, which has been formed with almost 1,500 members from around the country, has been very busy of late erecting protest boards around the area.
Their objections include the adverse effect on wildlife, flora and fauna as well as the fact that there are no mains water or drainage in the area and any effluent and waste water – from hot tubs, for example – will be diverted into the nearby stream and water courses around Bedburn and Euden. The real fear of wildfire is another concern among many others including the road safety concerns.
Stephen Reed, Durham County Council’s planning manager, said: “We are still awaiting additional information from the applicant, which is intended to address the objections raised. We are in active discussions to establish when this information will be submitted. The discussions aim to establish a realistic timescale that ensures all interested parties have sufficient opportunity to review any new information before the application is considered by the planning committee.”
The hardworking action group has been present at local events, campaigning and raising money for the cause, including the hire of a specialist lawyer. . They have purchased campaign boards, which have been erected around the local area. These boards have highlighted the concerns of locals including the state of the village roads. This includes the original road into the village from the A68, which has been closed for over three years. The diversion, around winding and narrow roads are difficult to negotiate at any time of year but more so in winter, which is rapidly approaching.
Other matters that residents are campaigning against is increased noise that will be generated if the application is successful, the volume of traffic, pollution and road safety concerns. Not least of concern is the real prospect of wild fires, one of which was only averted a couple of weeks ago by a sharp-eyed dog walker. It resulted in the attendance of a fire engine and there was another incident where a fire engine was called to extinquish a blaze.
Ironically, before these two fires, a fire appliance had been out, fully crewed, to inspect the forest roads and somehow, it went off one of the tracks, and became stuck. The 18-tonne vehicle was pulled out a few hours later and as a result of this incident, Forestry England employed the services of contractors who upgraded the track to allow firefighting vehicles access.
Hamsterley Forest has more than 40 residents from over 20 homes within the woodland. At the height of the summer when wildfires were breaking out in riural areas around the country, including notably in North Yorkshire, these residents asked what plans were in place for fires in the forest. Forestry England confirmed Hamsterley Forest does not have the recognised National Forestry England Wildfire Plan implemented in Hamsterley Forest and rely on the local Fire Service.
The Hamsterley Forest Action Group remains open for new members. Find them on Facebook.
