MP voices concerns about £32.6m Hamsterley Forest plans

Bishop Auckland MP Sam Rushworth says he is "sympathetic" towards Forestry England plans worth £32.6 million to transform Hamsterley Forest in a letter to Durham County Council.

Writing to the Head of Planning, Michael Kelleher, Dr Rushworth added he is also "in support" of his residents raising concerns about traffic and other matters just weeks after plans were submitted.

Letter from Dr Sam Rushworth MP to Durham County Council. (Image: SAM RUSHWORTH MP) Discussions to begin works in the forest have been taking place since 2021 - but over the past few months, dozens of residents in the neighbouring Hamsterley Village and Bedburn have spoken out to both Dr Rushworth and in objections to the proposals.

The full letter reads: 

I am writing to reflect local concerns about the planning application cited above, for 70 cabins built by Forest Holidays and a Go Ape high ropes course to be erected in Hamsterley Forest.

I have met with Forestry England to view the site and discuss the application details, and I understand the rationale behind the project. I have also met with residents of Hamsterley village who are concerned about the impact of the development, and I attended a recent public meeting in which local people spoke passionately on this.

I am sympathetic to the need to raise revenue to fund a new Visitors Centre, café, and classrooms, and I welcome the benefits these developments would bring of outdoor education opportunities for local children, improving Durham’s tourism offer, and creating jobs. Though, I am in support of local people who are raising concerns about the increased traffic through Hamsterley village.

Residents of Hamsterley are understandably frustrated by the volume and speed of traffic hurtling through their village and occasional antisocial behaviour of those who visit the forest, and this will only increase with the new development. Like too many villages in my area, these issues have been highlighted by residents for years, only to be told there is not a problem by officials who briefly visit but do not live there. I hope this will be taken into consideration.

I am also keen to know what section 106 agreement there would be within the planning permission should this application be granted, and I urge you to consider requiring the developers to mitigate the environmental impact, including thorough measures to limit traffic. I believe the village may also benefit from becoming a 20mph zone with tough enforcement, as discussed with my constituents and would appreciate your advice on how we may achieve this.

Posting the letter on Facebook, Dr Rushworth added that "MPs are advised to remain neutral on planning issues" - but urged constituents to add their thoughts to the portal during the consultation period, which ended this week.

By the end of September of this year, public consultations were held within the local community regarding the plans - leading the tourist board Visit County Durham to describe the development as a possible "game changer".

But, strong concerns from locals still remained.

Members of the Hamsterley Forest Action Group, created in July, most recently spoke out in droves about the plans - with many having already submitted strong objections to the proposals online.

Jan Wilkinson, 71. (Image: NORTHERN ECHO) Jan Wilkinson is 71-years-old - and is one of many villagers who feel their voices haven't been heard.

Last week, she said: "I think this planning application will take away the identity of Hamsterley Forest. This forest has history - we have a beautiful forest here.

"This forest is for families - not for riotous debauchery. People come here to have nice walks but it is going to be overrun."

"I don't think, at a meeting we had, they took a blind bit of notice. They are not interested in the village.

"I feel disgusted that they think they can override our quality of life. If the plan gets the green light - I will still fight it. Truthfully, I would still fight."

Speaking after the plans were submitted in November, Kevin May, Forest Management Director for Forestry England’s North district, said: “We’re delighted to officially submit our proposals to Durham County Council. The project has been designed with the forest’s long-term future in mind, balancing the needs of visitors, wildlife, and the local community.

“We believe our proposals are sensitive to residents and local communities, and keep the forest evolving in a way that responds to the demands of local, regional and national needs.”

This article originally appeared in our sister title, the Northern Echo.