Holiday lodges up for approval as meditating buddhists find peace

Earlier this year councillors refused proposals for 25 holiday lodges at the KP Club, near Pocklington, after the Madhyamaka Buddhist Centre said members were finding it hard to meditate because of noise from the club.

However, the Buddhists have withdrawn their objection after the noise was turned down.

The KP Club has resubmitted plans for 19 four-bedroomed lodges, saying it represents a 3m investment which would increase the number of local jobs and could double the number of visitors to the local area.

Director Paul Dixon said it had gone from employing six to 42 people – with many local youngsters employed. The extra lodges would create around 14 new jobs, as well as 30 others during the 11-month construction period.

He added: "Another 19 lodges is going to bring at least another 10,000 visitors.

"It's not easy to quantify what they spend in the local area but we as club are spending in the region of 250,000 per year with local traders."

Kevin Thomson, from the Buddhist centre, confirmed the noise problem had been resolved. The centre, which offers meditation courses, has been home to a Mahayana Buddhist community of lay and ordained practitioners for 25 years.

Mr Thomson said: "The owners have actually responded very well and they have turned down the music and they have really put time into finding out how to live peacefully with us which we are very happy about.

"It's become less of a huge party venue and become more tranquil. We are delighted they have acknowledged our needs and history and they came and met us to understand our religion and our practices." However residents who live in or close to the hamlet of Kilnwick Percy, who formed the KP Action Group, are still against the development, saying the growing number of short-stay breaks, including stag and hen parties "is undermining the peace and tranquillity of the area."

In total 340 letters have been written against the application, with some claiming it will be like having a "housing estate in the countryside."

The Campaign to Protect Rural England also objects, saying the development will increase disturbance to tranquillity, because of increased noise, light pollution and traffic.

On the other hand there have been 178 letters of support as well as a petition with 147 signatures. East Riding Council's economic development department is also in favour.

Planners say the KP Club has made a "positive compromise" by removing all the lodges which were planned along the Millington Lane frontage. They state: "Overall it is considered that the additional 19 lodges and manager's lodge would not harm the character and appearance of this part of the Wolds Area of landscape protection.

"The removal of the lodges from the Millington Lane frontage has created a much more sympathetic proposal to which, it is considered, support can be given."

They also believe there is enough distance – 700m – between the Madhyamaka Buddhist Centre and the nearest lodge, not to "directly impact" its activities.

East Riding Council is taking enforcement action against KP Club over the siting of 14 lodges already built on the site.

Planners say the KP Club may have to put in a new planning application to retain the lodges and submit a wildlife survey. But they add: "This issue should not undermine the planning merits of the current application under discussion."