A group of residents living in and around the largest forest in County Durham have expressed concern at future proposals to build dozens of cabins and a treetop activity centre. 

Seventy cabins, a Go Ape Activity Centre, accommodation and meeting spaces are just some of the future plans for Bishop Auckland's 5,000 acre Hamsterley Forest - should they be approved by the council when filed.

The proposals are being driven by Forestry England alongside Go Ape who first announced they were in early stages of discussions back in 2021 with Forest Holidays.  

Hamsterley Forest, pictured by Neil SturgeonHamsterley Forest, pictured by Neil Sturgeon (Image: NEIL STURGEON)

Three years on, nearly 700 emboldened locals are a part of the Hamsterley Forest Action Group - a community led collective created this month with the aim of opposing the plans when they are officially submitted.

They believe that objecting to proposals would "preserve the existing tranquillity and natural environment" of the forest and have been rallying together those with similar concerns over the past few weeks.

Then, once the council are considering the application, they say they are aiming to "submit robust and legitimate objections" to halt the development for good.

A petition set up by the group to "protect" the forest has already been set up - and is close to 1,000 signatures.

Specific details including the location in the forest of the developments have not yet been revealed - but a spokesperson for Forestry England has said proposals may be revealed in a matter of months.

Kevin May, Forest Management Director, North England Forest District: "We are aware that as ever with new proposals, there is local concern about what the plans could look like.

"Through strong community and stakeholder engagement we will be sharing the opportunities for growth within the rural economy and the need to evolve our offer in support of climate change responses, biodiversity decline and health and wellbeing challenges. 

"Forestry England manages woodlands to support all of these areas in addition to timber production.

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"Hamsterley Forest is managed sustainably with costs being supported by activities such as selling timber, charging for car-parking and rental incomes. 

"We want to invest in the forest now to make sure it remains resilient, relevant and ‘fit for purpose’ to what people want both locally, regionally and nationally. 

"We look forward to sharing our proposals in the coming months at public exhibitions, which will be widely publicised once confirmed."