Agency says forest campsite could 'risk life'

9 hours ago

Tom BurgessNorth East and Cumbria

The proposed area for a campsite at Hamsterley Forest poses a "danger of loss of life", the Environment Agency said

Andy Richardson A gravel road tuns through a flat, open clearing with forest surrounding the edges. Sunlight is catching the tips of the trees and lighting them up in a bright orange. Two trees are growing in the middle of the clearing, one on either side of the gravel road. — The proposed area for a campsite at Hamsterley Forest poses a "danger of loss of life", the Environment Agency said

Plans for a campsite in a forest pose a "risk to life" and could pollute waterways, the Environment Agency (EA) has said.

Forestry England and Forest Holidays want to build 70 cabins, a campsite, cafe, restaurant, shop and staff accommodation in Hamsterley Forest, County Durham.

In a letter of objection, the EA said the campsite would be on a flood plain at the bottom of a valley meaning there was a "danger" for campers.

Durham County Council planning manager Stephen Reed, said he was unable to comment on the EA's objection as it was a live application. Forest Holidays and Forestry England have been contacted for comment.

The EA said flood warnings would be "highly likely to come too late" for an effective evacuation of the entire campsite.

Routes out of the campsite would be forest tracks crossing or next to watercourses which might themselves be dangerous in the event of heavy rain, the agency added.

It recommended the whole campsite be relocated to an area with less flood risk, saying otherwise there would be a "risk to life and property" and a "danger for all people".

The use of a non-mains foul water drainage system could also pose an "unacceptable risk of pollution", the agency said.

Resident Marc Shepherd said he would be directly affected if the scheme was approved as Bedburn Beck, which was planned to receive waste, flows through his garden.

The EA has concerns the plans are a risk to the water quality of Euden Beck which feeds into Bedburn Beck

Andy Richardson A small waterway with a large trunk lying over the water. Grass covers both banks of the water. A metal barrier is overlooking the waterway. — The EA has concerns the plans are a risk to the water quality of Euden Beck which feeds into Bedburn Beck

He said his family played in the stream and he was worried illness could occur with wastewater being discharged into the beck.

Hamsterley Forest was created by Forestry England in the 1920s and sections are used for lumber production, but the nearly 5,000 acre woodland is also popular with walkers and cyclists.

Forest Holidays wants to build cabins on a section of commercial woodland while Forestry England wishes to open a camping ground on former farmhouse land and construct a new visitor centre and car park.

Adventure Forest also plans to open a treetop rope course in a section of Windy Bank Wood.

The EA said it was concerned there has been "insufficient consideration" to the impact of noise and disturbance from the plans on species and habitats in the area.

It said there was also a lack of information on the potential presence of water voles and otters.

Reed said: "We can assure residents, and anyone with an interest in this application, that the issues raised by the Environment Agency will be carefully considered alongside all other responses received as part of the planning process."