Woodland holiday park set to be expanded

Plans to expand a holiday park site set in an ancient woodland have been approved.

North Northamptonshire Council gave the green light on 9 July for Rockingham Forest Park, near King's Cliffe, to provide a further 64 static caravan lodges and facilities hub on the site.

The park, which is located on the site of a World War Two airfield, opened in April 2021, offering 50 lodges.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), designs included a new central facilities building, which would feature a restaurant, bar, gym, swimming pool and spa.

Rockingham Forest Park said the second phase of development sought to respond to a demand for additional units and feedback from its guests.

Lodges with two to five bedrooms and an additional 156 parking spaces would be provided.

North Northamptonshire Council's planning authority previously objected to plans after the developer sought an extra 80 holiday lodges.

Concerns were raised about the impact on wildlife, flooding, and increased traffic.

The LDRS said one resident called the area a "notorious accident blackspot", but the local highways authority did not raise objections.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Becky Brown said: "Phase one of the Park was designed and has been built out with environmental stewardship at its core.

"By granting planning permission, the Park will continue to attract visitors to the area and contribute to the local economy without having any adverse impact on the sensitive environment."

The applicant said the expansion would generate 31 new full-time positions as well as several part-time jobs.

Anglian Water objected to the expansion due to capacity constraints and pollution risk but said it would be acceptable if a strategic foul water strategy was submitted and approved.

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.