Village signs up in fight against holiday lets plan

Development plans at Dunstan House were turned down in 2023

Residents of a coastal village popular with tourists are protesting against plans to build two large holiday lets which have been submitted for a second time.

Signs have been put up around the village against the proposed development at Dunstan House in Dunstan, Northumberland.

More than 100 people have written to Northumberland County Council objecting, many concerned about noise pollution and environmental damage, with 10 in support.

Stuart Palmer Architects, the company behind the revised plans, said the intention is "to create a truly unique holiday destination on the Northumberland coast".

Dunstan House is a large property which can currently accommodate up to 12 guests.

The proposal is to build two large holiday homes in its grounds which would house between them an extra 16 people.

Dunstan is close to the fishing village of Craster which has appeared in many TV programmes

An application at the same site was refused in 2023 with planners deciding "it would not make a positive contribution to local character".

The architects say the design has been revised, with the height of the buildings lowered and cladding changed.

In addition to a swimming pool there will be a series of interconnected gardens for activities including yoga and meditation and a dedicated children's garden.

Stephen Reeves lives next door to the proposed development

A number of residents, including Stephen Reeves who lives next door, remain opposed.

"They'll be a very significant number of visitors who'll be staying there so it's really like a mini holiday park, not a holiday let," he said.

"We welcome many people to the area and they come for the peace and tranquillity, that's what they're looking for here."

Helen Chamberlain is concerned about the extra traffic and noise

Another resident Helen Chamberlain said the rise in numbers staying at Dunstan House was a concern.

"If you have 28 people staying how many cars are you going to have?

"We already have so many holiday lets in Dunstan and at the moment they can have 12 guests at Dunstan House. That would rise to 28, it's a huge increase."

The application will be considered by Northumberland County Council on 20 February.