Lakes due for development deemed 'community asset'

Scorton Lakes has been awarded asset of community value (ACV) status

Parish councillors have successfully applied for a "sanctuary for nature" earmarked for a luxury tourism and retirement scheme to be registered as an asset of community value (ACV).

Campaigners hope the status will hamper plans to build 170 holiday homes and 60 retirement bungalows at Scorton Lakes, between Scorton and Brompton-on-Swale, North Yorkshire.

A planning application is expected to be filed next year for the Tancred Waterside scheme by landowner Tancred Gravel Ltd, who were contacted for comment.

Scorton Parish Council said the reserve, created in 2022, had become "a tranquil place, recognised for its valuable nature and wildlife habitats as well as for its public amenity value".

It said the nature reserve was created in line with a Section 106 order agreed as a precondition of the quarry's planning permission.

"This agreement provides for the restoration and ongoing maintenance of the asset as a nature reserve with public access," the ACV application stated.

"It is important that this continues to be the guiding principle by which the area is managed into the future."

It added that the former quarry now supported "a mosaic of habitats" for wildlife, including many red list endangered species, becoming "a sanctuary for nature".

As well as the luxury accommodation, the development scheme could include a spa and farm shop, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Solar panels to power the development are also proposed, along with the use of thermal technology.

However, some local residents opposed the scheme, forming campaign group Save Scorton Lakes.

The site's inclusion on the list does not prevent the owner from submitting a planning application for the development.

However, it does give the community the right to bid to buy the land if it goes on the market.

The ACV application was supported by neighbouring parish councils.

Brompton-on-Swale Parish Council said in a letter that "the loss or change of use of this space would be deeply felt by many residents".

Before recommending that the site be added to the list of assets of community value, council officers made an unannounced visit to the site.

They noted that there were around 40 people using the reserve, including runners, cyclists, dog walkers, hikers and horse riders.

The report concluded that there was "strong evidence of significant, regular use" that furthered the social well-being or social interests of the local community.

Dr Tom Duffy, from the Save Scorton Lakes campaign, welcomed the decision by the council.

"The community asset registration gives the lakes more official recognition as being an extremely special place," he said.

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