Holiday village in Dales may bring 1,500 jobs

Halton Homes wants to build the 80m scheme, including two golf courses and a swimming pool complex, on a 100-acre site at Hellifield, near Settle.

If the West Yorkshire firm's bid is successful, it is estimated it would create up to 1,000 jobs in construction and, once built, at least 500 full-time jobs.

Linda Spencer, of Bingley-based Halton Homes, said: "We will have an active policy to encourage the local community and we will have a preference for local labour. We are hoping to be embraced by the area. We have had two public meetings so far and the feedback was in the main positive.

"We are anticipating that we will be spending 80m within the site on the construction phase and we hope that a minimum of 25 per cent of that will be awarded to local contractors."

The proposed scheme, which has yet to be submitted for planning approval, includes a 100-bed hotel, holiday cottages, bars and restaurants, conference centre and tennis courts.

Halton Homes hopes to submit a planning application this year.

The development has met criticism but has secured the backing of the region's tourist body.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome To Yorkshire, said: "This is a fantastic development with a whole range of attractions to bring both UK and international tourists to Yorkshire. It will also be a double boost to the region's economy as it will not only attract visitors from far and wide but it will also create hundreds of jobs."