A new holiday park with over 100 chalets and caravan pitches could be built on the outskirts of a County Durham town. 

An application to convert land at Acrum Stud, West Auckland, to create a new tourist chalet complex with caravan pitches and buildings has been submitted to Durham County Council. 

The proposal details plans for 119 holiday chalets, 80 pitches for touring caravans and the creation of a new amenity building with reception, cafe and shop. 

The site is currently designated as grazing land associated with Acrum equestrian stud farm, located west of the A668, south west of West Auckland. 

Construction of the park would take place in three stages, if approved. The delivery of 38 chalets, amenity building, wash block and the improvements to the existing Acrum Stud building would take place in Phase one, with 31 additional chalets in phase two. 

Phase three would see the delivery of the remaining 50 chalets, creation of 80 touring caravan pitches, two wash blocks and an open space with children’s playpark. 

A planning statement added: “The main vehicular access will see the existing access located towards the north edge of the application site from the A688 Staindrop Road slightly relocated and upgraded to safely service the future use.

"The access position is optimised to deliver a suitable layout whilst minimising any impact on the vegetation that can be found along the very northern extent of the site in this location.

“A safe, inclusive, accessible and attractive scheme will be realised which complements the unique features of the site location and which will meet the needs of older people for the long term.”