A PLAN to transform farm fields into a destination for log cabin and glamping holidays has been backed by the hospitality sector, with supporters saying it would help area them bounce back from the pandemic.

Publicans in the Stokesley area said the scheme at Tamebridge to create a leisure development of 23 log cabins and four glamping pods across six acres of sheep grazing land would help meeting booming demand for staycations close to the North York Moors National Park.

Planning documents submitted to Hambleton District Council state the applicants are aiming to manage the site in partnership with a national holiday park operator and the cabins would be leased for holiday purposes. 

The glamping pods would be let out for short-term stays to those who want to fish at the pond at the site - a relic of a brickworks in the area which has been used for many years by Cleveland Police Angling Club - or those who are on walking or cycling holidays.

In the planning documents, the applicants state “it is clear there would be a strong positive influx of spend into the local economy”.

They added: “As a council, Hambleton have been quick to recognise the impacts of Covid-19 and have determined its significant impacts on the local economy need to be turned around.”

The planning papers point towards the area’s developing tourism sector with the recent approval of developments such as the nearby Arngrove Park holiday lodges site at Stokesley as well as several other local schemes where access onto the national park makes the area particularly attractive for visitors.

The applicants state: “The proposed development is low key and will not be prominent in the landscape. The applicants fully appreciate that the existing boundary trees and hedgerows contribute to the character of the landscape and these will be retained and reinforced.”

Supporters said while the holiday park would be “visually unique”, the area was lacking in luxury lodges with too many old style caravans. They said following the lockdown restrictions the lodges would be a welcome boost to the local economy and local businesses.

One supporter wrote: “The recent pandemic has proved that the UK leisure market is in need of such developments to allow the leisure sector economy to bounce back. The creation of permanent jobs has the additional benefits to the local area.”

Alex Cook, of The Mill pub, in Stokesley, said: “I think this will be a strong driver of people into our town, increasing footfall in our struggling high street.” Geoffrey Morgan, of the Blacksmiths Arms in nearby Swainby, added: “As a local business owner we constantly receive requests for recommendations for accommodation in the general proximity of my business, there is a need and shortage of visitor accommodation in the outlying village areas.”