A GLAMPING scheme which is hoped will boost out-of-season visitors to a national park has been approved, despite concerns it could overload the local sewage system.

The North York Moors National Park Authority’s planning committee heard up to 180 people at a time would be able to stay at the 30 camping pods at York House Caravan Park, Hawsker, near Whitby.

The pods, which would replace a campsite at the holiday park, would measure 2.8 metres by 4.7 metres with a maximum height of 2.6 metres, and be capable of accommodating up to five people.

The meeting was told planning permission was granted in 2015 for an additional 40 static caravans at the site and Hawsker Parish Council had objected to Kinghall Leisure’s latest application, saying it would be more than key services could cope with.

Parish councillors questioned how “the increased number of people will affect the already strained system”.

The park authority’s planning officers said the effect of the camping pods on local services such as sewerage had been “carefully considered” ahead of them recommending the scheme for approval.

They said the proposed systems would be able to cope with the guests. In addition, they highlighted that the site has previously used for an unlimited number of tents from April to October, but with the camping pods numbers would be limited to those staying in them.

Chairman of the authority, Jim Bailey said: “I think there is a high chance that there will be more footfall. If you were sat in a tent on Christmas Day having to hobble across the frost to the toilet block – there is a high chance these will be used more in winter than tents were.”

Officers concluded that the proposal would not have an adverse impact on the special qualities of the national park as it was hidden behind trees in a valley and would not affect the quality of life of local residents or the experience of visitors. They said the scheme would also improve the quality and variety of tourism facilities.