A CHALET park has been allowed to build new holiday lodges despite objections saying it would turn dream homes into a "nightmare".
Developer Brancepeth Estates asked to construct eight more lodges to the 5.4-hectare site in Crook, describing it as a "high quality tourism development".
But residents objected, including Janet Heseltine who told councillors: "We've been corralled inside a holiday park.
"We bought a dream. We acquired a nightmare.
"We'll no longer feel safe walking freely in what is currently a gated community of around 20 residents.
"There could easily be 120 plus unknown people plus their pets, vehicles, bikes, barbecues, hot tubs on site.
"If we wanted to live in a holiday park, we wouldn't have bought barn conversions on an isolated farmstead offering peace and tranquility."
The two and three-bed timber-clad chalets would extend the park, adding to 22 lodges which already had planning permission from 2016.
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It was also proposed to build two four-bedroom and six-bedroom homes, replacing a barn at Brancepeth Manor Farm, Brandon Lane, West Brandon, Crook.
Plans for the 10 buildings, said to include heat pump power, electric vehicle charging and cycle parking, drew 39 letters of objection from 26 addresses.
Objectors raised concerns over heavier traffic on poor-quality, narrow, unlit roads, noise and light pollution, destroying privacy, tree loss and "decimation" of rare bird species in an area of high landscape value.
The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), Brancepeth Parish Council and Byshottles Parish Council also objected.
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Jimmy Jamieson from Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council told Durham County Council's planning committee of a "significant light, noise and environmental impact".
He said: "It isn't a sustainable location.
"The noise could be horrendous when the holiday flats are in full swing in the summer.
"You've got music, discos, barbecues and God knows what going on around the pond, which is going to be awful for the local wildlife.
"No regard has been given to residents. There has been no attempt to reassure the residents that they won't have an ever-changing range of guests roaming about their residential area."
Objector Kevin Ayrton said it would harm a "stunning" and "sensitive landscape".
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The North East Chamber of Commerce supported the plans, saying they would support the tourist economy.
Alastair Willis, agent for the developer, said they had worked for a long time and made alterations to a scheme with sustainable tourism and economic growth at its heart which would encourage more "staycations".
He said: "We need to ensure that County Durham is on the tourism map.
"The scheme has demonstrated high design quality which is sympathetic to the surroundings."
Councillor Marion Wilson said the development would improve and enhance an area with a shortage of overnight accommodation.
She said the developer had worked hard to bring tourism and economic benefits without unacceptable impacts.
She said: "It is clear that more people are choosing to say in the UK for holidays.
"I think it is exactly the sort of development we should be encouraging to showcase our amazing county."
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Cllr Carl Marshall also supported the plan, saying it was well thought out by a local developer and may be a first for the North-east in its green credentials.
He said: "I think it's really really important that we continue to invest in our tourism offer.
"We have a massive lack of tourism accommodation.
"The problem is, we've got lots of poeple who want to come to County Durham. But we don't have anywhere for them to stay."
The council's planning officers recommended approving the plans, saying any harm caused was outweighed by the benefits, leading objectors to say they felt "failed" by planning policy.
Councillors voted to approve the plan.
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