Designs submitted for new holiday lodges at Northop Country Park

Lodge designs for an approved new holiday complex on greenfield land at Northop Country Park have been submitted to Flintshire County Council.

Construction firm J&T Gizzi won an appeal to secure approval for the development in 2023 after Flintshire County Council failed to rule on the application in time.

Now it has submitted the designs for single and two-storey lodges for the authority to sign-off ahead of construction getting underway on the Y-shaped tract of land.

There will be 11 two-storey lodges to accommodate up to eight holidaymakers with three double rooms – two with en-suite bathrooms – and a twin, a full-height living room area with skylight and a large dining area.

The 13 single-storey lodges will each have a double room with en-suite and a twin and a smaller dining and living area.

Each lodge will have a single car parking space with additional parking near the site office at the entrance. Lodges will also each have a decking area with outdoor seating area and their own hot tub.

According to the design statement, the lodges will ‘be designed in a low impact manner through energy efficient designs, promoting the use of natural materials and providing sustainable drainage solutions’.

The plans for a development adjacent to Northop Country Park Golf Club were first submitted in 2020.

Having received a number of objections, Flintshire County Council failed to give notice within the prescribed period of time.

As a result J&T Gizzi lodged an appeal under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales.

Objections to the original application five years ago included Northop Community Council, who argued the scheme was ‘out of character’ with the existing site. It also had concerns about the ‘an increase in the volume of traffic on the narrow site road and through Northop village.’

A further 27 letters of objection were also received from neighbours.

But ruling on the appeal, planning inspector Iwan Lloyd concluded that the development could go ahead.

“In final balance, I conclude that the conflict with the development plan and the identified harm is outweighed by other considerations which would justify granting planning permission.”

By Alec Doyle – Local Democracy Reporter