Work gets under way on luxury eco lodges

Skelwith Leisure, owners of the Raithwaite Estate, near Whitby, has announced the start of building work on the project, in a move which it is expected to boost the local tourism industry.

The estate, which includes Raithwaite Hall Country Retreat, the Lakehouse and the recently opened The Keep development, totals more than 100 acres and is set just off the coast.

Paul Ellis, managing director of Skelwith Leisure, said last night: “We are very excited about the new lodges, especially as they come hot on the heals of the opening of The Keep.

“We are committed to making the Raithwaite Estate one of the best destinations in the north of England.”

Scheduled for completion in October, the two-bedroom lodges represent further significant investment in the estate and it is hoped they will attract people to stay for longer, enabling them to sample the local area.

Looking out over the estate, they are designed to complement the natural environment in which they sit and feature a modern design.

They are partially sunken into the hillside behind them and feature the latest sustainable technologies, including highly efficient photovoltaic roof panels so that they can produce their own electricity.

Mr Ellis added: “The new lodges represent further significant investment in the estate and Whitby area, and will complement the entire estate.”

The new lodges are the first of forty six luxury lodges, cottages and a new education centre that were granted planning permission by Scarborough Council in October 2012.

Work on the remaining cottages will begin later this year, together with the creation of a new access road to part of the site.