A CLUSTER of County Durham villages could soon be welcoming hoards of tourists if a major multimillion pound plan for a caravan site, holiday lodges and watersports centre wins approval.

Durham County Council has received an application for the proposed “high quality” leisure and tourism complex - which could cost about £8.5 million - at Hurworth Burn Reservoir, near Trimdon Station.

The applicant is seeking full planning permission for a “five-star” touring caravan site of 81 pitches, including a mix of hardstanding and grass, plus facilities including warden compounds, amenities building and workshop along with a new road layout and improved access.

It is part of a wider application on land at the former water reservoir that includes a full planning application for 26 two and three bedroom lodges, an outline plan for a hub building containing a bar, restaurant and shop plus watersports facilities, changing rooms and parking.

Outline permission is also being sought for eight woodland lodges - all lodges of which are “four or five-star”.

The planning document states the location will be decided on following a consultation with an ecologist to determine the positions that will have minimal impact on the surrounding landscape.

In the design and access statement, it states: “This is a major project which is going to require around £8.5 million to develop.

“The scheme is to provide a major tourism opportunity of regional significance, and significant investment is required to get it started. It is hoped that the Local Authorities will recognise this. The proposal is unique due to the opportunity to reuse a former reservoir for leisure activities.”

The watersports centre would be for non-motorised activities such as kayaking, sailing, diving, windsurfing while the applicant acknowledges the lake is popular with anglers and birdwatchers, and the proposals “aim to encourage these activities”.

The applicant believes the development will “fill a gap” in a location where major touring caravan clubs do not have any major sites.

“On doing market research we believe there is nothing quite like this in the area,” they added.

The application has received one letter of objection citing concerns over impact of wildlife, loss of green spaces and increased traffic.