CONCERNS have been raised over too much provision for tourists as a proposal to transform farmland into a holiday park near the North York Moors has been recommended for approval.

Hambleton District Council’s planning committee will hear a scheme to create a 35-pitch site, featuring 12 static caravans, 16 seasonal touring caravans and seven motor homes, close to Hillside Rural Activity Park, near Northallerton, had split  Knayton cum Brawith Parish Council.

While the majority of councillors backed the scheme, others expressed “a fear that the area was oversubscribed with holiday parks”.

An officers’ report to the committee states touring caravans and motorhomes would cater for a different market to holiday cottages and holiday lodges for which there had been “a proliferation of applications”.

The report states economic benefits of the scheme would include the creation of four jobs at the site and extra tourist trade in the area.

The report states: “It is therefore considered that the proposal represents a form of diversification which would bring sustainability benefits that would satisfy the requirements of local and national planning policy. The income generated would help to support existing rural businesses.”

Officers recommended the plan for approval on condition there are no touring caravans or motorhomes on the site from November 15 to March 15.