A LUXURY lodge business near Ripon has reported is strongest year end performance to date.

Cedar Retreats, which has planning permission for 36 properties at West Tanfield, has announced a turnover of more than £1.5m for the first time.

The business, which provides lodges for year-round holiday rental along with the option for investors to purchase the properties as a second home or buy to let, has seen a 30 per cent increase from 2016 with figures of £560,000 in rental income and £1m in sales.

With 19 lodges now complete, it has sold six properties this year and will shortly start work on the next phase as further investors come forward to purchase the one, two and three-bedroom luxury lodges.

Director James Gawthorpe said: "The figures this year really have been phenomenal and that goes for both rentals, which have seen us almost fully booked all year round, and sales.

"There is no doubt that the popularity of the staycation has had an impact but also the transparent benefits that investors can achieve when owning a lodge.

"Cedar Retreats is all about experience and that means offering a personal service to all of our customers, from when they arrive to when they leave and return again.

"We already have interest from potential investors for 2018 so expect that work will begin from January on the next phase of the build."

Cedar Retreats was established in 2012 when James and Sarah Gawthorpe returned to Yorkshire having worked in London for more than a decade. The couple now manage the development with a team of 10 employees.