Holiday park expansion refusal appeal is dismissed

Overstone Park Resort wanted to add another 77 lodges on the site

An appeal against a refusal to expand a luxury holiday park has been dismissed by the planning inspectorate.

The owners of Overstone Park Resort near Northampton wanted to add 77 holiday units to the 120 that already existed at the site.

West Northamptonshire Council turned down the application last year, but the owners appealed the decision.

The government's Planning Inspectorate said the placement of 32 of the lodges on the eastern edge of the park would impact the "natural beauty [and] relative tranquillity" of the site.

The plans were met with criticism from members of the public at the time, attracting about 150 objections and disapproval from the Lodge Owners' Association, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Overstone Park is a long-established golf resort complex, with a members' clubhouse, 115 lodges, tennis courts and a bowling green.

Councillors refused the expansion plans on the basis that they would harm the character and appearance of the area, intrude on the designated green wedge and disturb the setting of heritage assets at the Overstone Hall estate.

The Planning Inspectorate's report found the additional two-storey lodges proposed for the western edge of the park would undermine its visual and historical relationship within the setting of Overstone Hall.

Overstone Park Resort previously said the expansion would help turn it into a luxury destination and allow further investment in state-of-the-art amenities.

The inspector agreed that the proposal would assist in improving the local tourist offer, leading to increased jobs and spending, as well as securing investment into the golf resort.

The report concluded: "Whilst I find that the proposal would contribute positively to the economic and social objectives, it would result in significant environmental harm which would outweigh these benefits.

"I therefore conclude that the appeal should be dismissed."