A CONTROVERSIAL application to expand a holiday lodge site by building 10 new camping pods and a clubhouse has been withdrawn.

Park House Lodges in Catton proposed to expand its business by adding to the existing three holiday cabins on land at Park House.

The proposal came after full planning permission for five lodges was granted in 2012, three of which have already been built.

However, the application was withdrawn earlier this month after numerous objections from locals, with one resident suggesting the development would be like “having a mini Center Parcs attached to a very small rural village”.

Applicant Helen Hilton, manager of Parkhouse Lodges, said in the application that the clubhouse would provide an onsite facility for the lodges and would cater for occupants of the proposed camping pods, Park House Lodges and the general public.

The documents stated the building would include a restaurant, bar and spa and leisure facilities, and hoped to provide a local community facility to replace the recently closed Crown Inn pub in the village.

But objectors feared the new building would prevent any potential sale of the former pub and said the single-storey 400sqm building would spoil the nature of the surrounding area.

Allendale Parish Council also objected to the proposal on the basis that it was not in keeping with the Allendale development plan.

Access to the site would have been through the existing entrance with 28 extra car parking spaces created, but objectors said it would lead to an increase in traffic and noise.

Park House Lodges was contacted for comment.