Anger at go-ahead for holiday park near Dales abbey ruins

The plans for the 12 log cabins on a site within half a mile of Easby Abbey, near Richmond, provoked fierce opposition from villagers living close to the site, who maintained that the development would ruin the area.

The proposals were initially blocked by Richmondshire District Council last year, but a successful appeal to the Planning Inspectorate will now see the project become a reality.

The chairman of the council's planning committee, Campbell Dawson, claimed the decision would undermine future attempts to block developments that were not deemed suitable.

He also expressed concerns that Richmondshire's tourism industry could be affected if developments were allowed in picturesque rural locations. Tourism in Richmondshire is worth 184.5m annually to the local economy, supporting more than 4,500 jobs during the peak season.

Coun Dawson said: "The council had some real concerns over the development, but it seems as though they have been ignored by the Planning Inspectorate.

"It is a beautiful area around Easby Abbey, and this development will undoubtedly spoil it – I think it is disgusting that it has been approved.

"The decision could end up undermining the tourism industry, which is so important to Richmondshire, as it could set a precedent for other developments in the countryside.

"It is not as though there is a shortage of places to stay for tourists, so I do not understand why a holiday park needs to be built in such a sensitive location."

The Yorkshire Post revealed in October that the scheme had been blocked by the council amid concerns over the impact the development would have on the area.

The council's head of development management, Peter Featherstone, claimed the scheme would damage the "unique and precious" character and setting of the conservation area surrounding the abbey.

North Yorkshire County Council also expressed fears over road safety and the amount of traffic which would be generated by the scheme.

However, the Planning Inspectorate backed the scheme, claiming it would have "no effect on the conservation area's appearance".

A study commissioned by the developers also revealed the holiday park could bring between 145,000 and 290,000 a year into the local economy, while the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group said it could create new habitats for protected species.

The developer behind the scheme, retired builder Randall Orchard, has owned Easby Park for about 16 years.

Mr Orchard, from Richmond, said: "The scheme was prepared meticulously to have no adverse impact on residents' quality of life, whilst following local, regional and national government policies.

"This is an area of great landscape value and it is in our interests to do our utmost to protect and enhance it to make it even more attractive to visitors. We have already begun to plant thousands more trees to create orchards and to improve biodiversity.

"I am delighted that we are finally able to move forward and develop a business that will create jobs, bring more visitors to the area and support the local economy."

The remains of the abbey, which was founded in 1152, and the neighbouring parish church nestle next to the River Swale, and are a popular stop-off for hikers as they are only a short walk from Richmond.