A farm experience centre and lodge park in County Durham is among proposed new developments driving a ‘buoyant’ regional leisure sector, a North East planning firm says.
Hedley Planning Services, which has offices in Hexham and Wynyard, is involved in several projects across the region which will create dozens of new jobs, saying the impact of COVID-19 is triggering the rapid development of local tourism projects to meet surging demand for UK holidays.
The firm has been instructed to provide planning services on more than 10 possible North East and Yorkshire leisure developments, reflecting its burgeoning presence in the sector.
In a move that could see upwards of 150 new holiday lodges and cabins built in the next 12 months, its working with holiday and leisure operators to bring forward plans for new lets in Redcar, Cleveland, Hambleton, Beamish and Yorkshire among other locations.
The firm is also steering through plans for a new barn building near Consett along with up to 37 holiday lodges, many of which will accommodate families who have a family member with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The proposed schemes could generate in excess of £20m worth of high-quality leisure-style accommodation regionwide, supporting upwards of 300 new jobs in the construction and associated supply chain.
Millions of pounds could also be generated for the North East economy as holidaymakers visit and spend their cash on local products and services.
With overseas holidays on hold for many across the country following the outbreak of coronavirus, research according to the Parkdean Resorts 2020 Staycation Market Report has found Brits could flock to UK resorts throughout the rest of summer.
According to data, approximately £48bn is spent annually on summer travel, but with more people looking to holiday closer to home, a large chunk of this could be injected back into regional staycations.
Director Joe Ridgeon said: “We are seeing a lot of activity as leisure sector operators push forward their plans to tap into the staycation market. But it’s the projects that offer a new experience or all-round different holiday experience that will gain the most traction from a planning perspective.
“It’s clear that operators and developers across the leisure sector must have to think and act differently if they are to get their schemes off the ground. This requires long term strategic input, planning and vision to maximise success - and firms like ours can help with advice and ideas.”
