Ambitious plans for a new holiday park boasting 140 lodges and a spa in County Durham have been submitted. 

The proposal for the Greencroft Estate, at Lanchester, would become a “market-leading tourism accommodation provider” if approved. 

Initial designs submitted to Durham County Council reveal how the new complex would be built around a central ‘hub’ facility next to the site of the former Greencroft Hall. 

A shop, spa facility, swimming pool, fitness studios, and picnic huts are all proposed for the ‘hub’ site. 

A statement from the applicant True North read: “A range of supplementary facilities and services including a spa, fitness suite, ancillary food and retail offering to meet visitors immediate needs and provide an attractive offering for a range of prospective visitors.”

The proposed 140 lodges would be located within separate ‘lodge zones’ around the site. 

The statement added: “A variety of lodges will be provided throughout the development. Some will be set within the existing woodland, others within newly planted and landscaped cells. A typical stay would be two, four, or six nights, allowing for visitors to explore the site and surrounding towns.

Outdoor facilities within the development will be focused on walking, heritage, and foraging.

The proposed holiday park is part of the wider plans for Greencroft Forest Park - a new development for Lanchester Valley and wider County Durham, extending to over 290 hectares.

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It is hoped the proposal will help boost tourism in County Durham. 

“Greencroft Estate aims to inform, educate and excite visitors,” said True North. “It brings a unique and high-quality overnight holiday accommodation offer to Durham. The development is in line with Visit County Durham priorities to improve the visitor economy and can provide significant social and economic benefits to the area.”

The application will be considered by Durham County Council in due course.