A FAR-SIGHTED plan has been drawn up to attract affluent holidaymakers to a new resort in the region based on environmentally-friendly tourism.

The luxury lodge development has been designed to bring sustainable ecological, social and economic benefits to the Richmond area of North Yorkshire.

And, if planners give their blessing, work could get under way on land just to the west of the town late next summer.

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 luxury lodges by a wooded valley on three hectares of the site.

But the rest of the land would then be carefully enhanced and maintained to create a conservation area for plants and wildlife.

In a boost for pubs and other traders in Richmond, the centre would not include its own bar or shop.

Ten per cent of the profits would also be pumped back into the community, through an advisory panel of local representatives.

"We estimate that will 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. Only local contractors will be invited to submit tenders for the construction project and staff will all be recruited locally.

Some 130 species of birds have been noted in the area and all work will be carried out to avoid disturbance.

"We believe it is a winner for Richmond and not just ourselves," said Mr Spence.