A NORTH Tyne caravan site development is close to completion after six months in the making.

The Hareshaw Linn Caravan Park in Bellingham was originally due to reopen this weekend after a major £700,000 refurbishment project.

But owners Northumberland Estates said that bad weather at the outset was responsible for a slight delay.

It is now hoped the redeveloped site will be ready to reopen on or before June 30.

The refurbishment includes an extension to the original site, from 77 caravan pitches to 98, alongside a total upgrade of existing facilities, the introduction of electricity and major construction and landscaping works.

Existing caravans were moved aside to allow construction work to proceed and the site has been closed for health and safety reasons.

The final landscaping is due to start this week and will include turfing, decking, preparation of the new access roads and creation of new parking areas.

A spokesman for Northumberland Estates said: “We understand the delay will be disappointing for occupiers and have apologised to them.

“Unfortunately no-one can control the weather and we can say that the construction team have worked extremely hard to make up for time where possible.”

Steve Stubbings, agriculture and rural property manager at Northumberland Estates, said: “Northumberland Estates would like to thank caravan owners and the local community for their patience over the duration of the project.

“We are now looking forward to the reopening of a much-improved facility which we hope will draw in new owners.

“Our aim is to bring more visitors to Bellingham and the surrounding area and hopefully create new opportunities to boost the local economy.”