THE man behind plans to create a holiday park on rural land near Darlington has rejected claims that he has a hidden agenda for the project.

As reported yesterday, James Wilson has submitted plans to build 14 log cabins on land at Swan House Roundabout, on the A68 between Darlington and Heighington.

Heighington Parish Council had expressed concern at the plans, with chairman Mike French claiming the site could become a permanent site for travellers.

He also said caravans had been present at the site already.

But Mr Wilson said yesterday there had not been a caravan on the site since he bought it three years ago, and reiterated his honest intentions for the plot.

He said: "If I wanted to turn it into a gipsy site I would have done when I bought it, but I'm trying to go through all the correct channels.

"What I am doing is trying to build 14 luxury log cabins. That is it. There is no hidden agenda.

"If a traveller wanted to buy a log cabin he would be in the same category as everybody else."