Plans to build an £8 million holiday park in the tranquil Yorkshire village of Kirkby Fleetham have ignited a fierce debate among residents. The village, home to approximately 500 people, features a small school, scenic hiking trails, and the Black Horse Inn. The pub's owner, the Fat Badger Group, has unveiled proposals to transform the land behind the establishment into a tourist destination.
Proposed Development Details
The ambitious scheme includes 24 lodges, 11 holiday lets, a farm shop, a spa, and two padel courts. According to the planning application, the existing farm maintenance workshop would be demolished to make way for a new two-storey building housing a reception area, farm shop, village shop, spa, and changing facilities. Additionally, the plans provide for motorhome parking and a refurbishment of the current pub, which would gain fourteen en-suite bedrooms and an AA rosette restaurant.
Community Reaction
The application has so far garnered 72 objections and 26 comments in support. The Local Democracy Reporting Service quoted one objector who stated: “The proposed large-scale development, located at the centre of the village, is entirely out of character with the existing scale and nature of the area. It would dominate and overwhelm the village setting.” Another resident expressed concerns about “a significant increase in noise and light pollution from the sports activities and activities associated with the holiday lodges.”
Additional objections highlight worries about highway safety, flood risk, sewage capacity, and the loss of wildlife habitat. However, supporters of the development feel “lucky” to have a local business “willing to invest such a large amount into the local area.” A decision on planning approval is expected by the determination deadline of 2 June.
