A NEW concept in environmentally-friendly tourism could soon bring affluent holiday-makers to the region.

The sustainable scheme, which is already being seen as a template for others elsewhere in the country, has been designed to bring ecological, social and economic benefits.

And, if planners give their blessing, work could get under way on land just to the west of Richmond late next summer, following the end of the bird nesting season.

The £2m project involves 24 hectares of land at Aislabeck owned by the Spence family and follows a year of detailed planning by a team of architects, surveyors, conservationists and others.

The family has set up a company, Eco Build, and the idea is to create 18 log-built five-star lodges by a wooded valley on three hectares of the site.

But the rest of the land, which is currently judged to be ecologically poor, would then be carefully enhanced and maintained to create a conservation area for plants and wildlife.

It would also act as a recreational resource for the local community, while the facilities for the holidaymakers would be provided by the town of Richmond itself, boosting local business.

Ten per cent of the annual profit would also be pumped back into the local community, through an advisory panel of local representatives, for local causes and initiatives.

"We estimate that will be amount to about £50,000 in the first year and would rise significantly in the future," said Eco Build chairman Matthew Spence.

All materials will be sourced locally, even down to the wool insulation for the lodges coming from local sheep and welcome hampers for visitors from local shops - something which the company claims will be worth £250,000.

On top of that only local contractors will be invited to submit tenders for the £500,000 construction project and all staff will be recruited locally.

Some 130 species of birds have been noted in the area and all work on the site will be carried out to avoid disturbing them. Special bird and badger hides will also be created.

"We have worked hard on this and we believe it is a winner for Richmond and not just ourselves," said Mr Spence.