Forest Homes Fear Water Dry-Up Over Holiday Park Plans

Residents living within Hamsterley Forest near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, have voiced serious concerns over proposed plans for a £36 million holiday park. Forestry England's proposal includes 70 cabins and aims to tap into Potato Hill Spring, the sole water source for 11 nearby properties and local livestock, as no mains water is available in the area. This has led the Hamsterley Forest Action Group (HFAG) to fear that the park's water needs could "rob residents of fresh water supplies," potentially exacerbating existing water shortages, especially during summer months.

Further complicating the issue are alleged mathematical errors within Forestry England's planning documents. HFAG points to discrepancies in occupancy rate calculations and traffic estimates, questioning the reliability of the agency's assessments for water extraction and waste disposal. Forestry England maintains that a hydrogeological assessment indicates the borehole abstraction will be localized and not significantly impact neighbouring private supplies, with all supplies regulated by the Environment Agency. Despite these assurances, residents remain worried about the long-term security of their water access.