Plans for holiday cabins beside Easby Loop walk prompt objections

A planning application for eight cabins beside a footpath on the so-called Easby Loop route, between Richmond and Easby Abbey, has been submitted to North Yorkshire Council.

A site service road, concealed solar panels, utility containment and moveable buildings are also proposed for the site, known as the Playing Fields at the end of Easby Low Road.

Supporting documents say all cabins and buildings would be single-story mobile units, without permanent foundations.

The site is near the Drummer Boy Stone, which according to local legend marks the spot where a military drummer boy vanished in a tunnel between Richmond Castle and Easby Abbey.

The application has been submitted by Nicholas and Autumn Green, who own the St Nicholas Estate, on Maison Dieu, Richmond.

A report filed with the application states: “The proposal aims to generate economic benefit for the town, and income to support the ongoing running costs of St Nicholas and its historic park and garden.”

It adds: “At present used for agricultural purposes, the site has a long and recent history as a sports field and amenity land, playing a role (with the owners’ permission) in the local community.

“Rather than keeping the land for agricultural use, the proposal aims to restore the site to a positive contribution to the town and community.”

The report says the site would be “low-impact and complementary to its setting”, while the increase in traffic on Easby Low Road was expected to be “minimal”.

It adds: “The site is almost fully concealed from public view on all sides, and will make use of utility connections already existing in or adjacent to the field.

“The unique location also offers car-free visitors rural accommodation within walking distance of the town.”

However, the plans have attracted several responses from local residents opposed to the application.

One respondent said: “The application is misleading about Easby Low Road.

“It overstates the current vehicular traffic, understates the additional traffic that would result from the proposed development, and almost ignores the far larger number of walkers on the route.

“It glosses over the problems of the road’s poor surface, blind bends, crumbling verges, exposure, and liability to falling trees and freezing runoff.”

Another added: “Almost all of Richmond is already Airbnb. We don’t need more holiday accommodation here. We need more facilities for residents.”

The plans have also been criticised on social media, although others have suggested the location is ideal for a holiday complex and say the owners should be allowed to do what they want with their land.

Mayor of Richmond, Councillor Carl Tate, said Richmond Town Council was organising a meeting of its planning committee to discuss its response to the scheme.