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10
Sept 2024
How Stean Gorge withdraws plans for more lodges
How Stean Gorge has withdrawn plans to build four more luxury lodges at its outdoor adventure centre near Pateley Bridge.
The centre has developed significantly in recent years as part of its mission to become ‘the north’s favourite natural outdoor adventure destination’.
Visitors can take part in activities such as gorge walking, canoeing, rock climbing, abseiling, cave camping and paddle-boarding in the limestone gorge and caves.
How Stean Gorge built seven accommodation lodges in 2022 and 2023 and was later granted permission for four more.
But an application for another four has been withdrawn after concerns were raised during the planning consultation about the impact of the proposed development on the landscape of the site of special scientific interest in Nidderdale.
Emma Howson, principal landscape architect at North Yorkshire Council, said in her consultation response:
The landscape officer is not against the principle of additional lodges, however more consideration of the design and siting of these lodges needs to be made to ensure the proposals comply with p182 of the NPPF and policy GS6 of the Local Plan. Furthermore, we would encourage the applicant to reduce the number/size of proposed lodges to ensure the cumulative impact of all lodges does not result in over development of the site within this rural, isolated and sensitive landscape.
Nidderdale National Landscape’s joint advisory committee expressed “strong concern” about the proposal in its response and Natural England said it would object unless a SSSI impact assessment was submitted which detailed the construction methods proposed and considered the impacts of these to the designated cave feature.
Directors Tony Liddy and Rebecca Verity took over the site from Stan Beer in 2022. Both had worked there for many years in senior roles previously.
A tourism development plan supporting the application included figures showing how visitor numbers had increased significantly from 2020 to 2023.
The plan added the lodges would encourage visitors to stay longer and throughout the whole year.
It said:
It is clear that having well built accommodation, suitable for all year round use, has made a remarkable impact on reducing seasonal fluctuations and attracted a wider customer base particularly from the education sectors.
Mr Liddy told the Stray Ferret he would talk to the architect about the decision to withdraw the plans. He added:
The lodges are fantastic for school groups. They make residentials much more enjoyable. The site needs to function as a business and the season is so short in tourism. The lodges help to extend the season.
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