Stop The Cabins at Hamsterley Forest 

Why This Petition Matters 

Hamsterley Forest Action Group was formed to help to protect and preserve the existing tranquillity and natural environment of Hamsterley Forest for future generations to enjoy.

Hamsterley Forest is a 5,000 acre commercial forest situated in County Durham in the Northeast of England. There is a mix of coniferous, broadleaf and open heathland habitats, with Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in and around the boundary of the forest.

Consequently, it is home to a variety of flora and fauna. Hamsterley Forest is blanketed in a lush mosaic of broadleaf and conifer woodlands providing an ideal woodland bio diverse habitat. There are numerous species of fungi, lichens, liverworts and mosses which are essential to and interdependent with the Forest.

The fauna is numerous and diverse -ranging from migratory birds including species on the endangered list to a large variety of reptiles, amphibians, adders and 8 different species of woodland bats.  

The eco systems in the Forest are flourishing but require careful management to ensure that this remains the case.

The Forest is a popular venue for walking, cycling, running, horse riding, wellbeing and play trails attracting 300,000 visitors annually, from the North east and beyond.

Hamsterley Forest Action group is a community- based group with the aim to oppose the proposed development by Forest Holidays in Hamsterley Forest of 70 cabins and GO Ape activities. There will also be a requirement to build a new spur road, through the Forest, solely to access the holiday accommodation. This will result in the further destruction of trees and habitats in order to achieve this. The consequence of these building projects is a level of development that will irreplaceably damage the fragile forest environment, leading to an increase in noise, pollution, wildlife disturbance and abolish the oasis of tranquillity.

Hamsterley Forest Action Group is not opposed to the other planned development i.e. revamping-the visitor centre, café and additionally providing classroom space, as we can see the benefits to the community of these facilities. However the holiday accommodation is the stealth privatisation of public forests and the misuse of that natural resource for their own personal gain.

In addition to the protection of the ecosystems there are numerous planning reasons why the lodges should not be allowed. This includes the surrounding road infrastructure which is unclassified and C and B roads. The road system, around the Forest, due to the volume of traffic, is already failing under the pressure, the C31, the main entrance road to Hamsterley, has been closed for for a year and is to remain closed for the foreseeable future. Road diversions are making the alternative routes busier than ever this will only increase expediently. There is a complete lack of any public transport in the area resulting in an increase of vehicles.

There is no mains water available in the forest, therefore the surrounding ecosystems will be further stressed as a large amount of water would need to be extracted to service the 70 cabins and 70 hot tubs, not to mention the high volume of chemicals going into the environment from the hot tubs.

National Planning Policy Framework recommends that in order to conserve and enhance the natural environment then there is a requirement to identify and protect tranquil areas which have remained relatively undisturbed by noise and are prized for their recreational and amenity value for this reason.

Since the pandemic there is a growing mountain of scientific evidence of the health benefits of trees, forests and exposure to the natural environment.  Every tree counts, forests, woodlands and trees are good for our health and wellbeing especially in this stressful modern world.

In this current climate crisis, we should not be destroying our trees and ecosystems. Wild spaces are becoming increasingly rare and as a local community we should not take it for granted or one day it will be gone, destroyed for profit. 

We need to act now to save Hamsterley Forest for future generations to enjoy.

In Europe the UK is one of the least densely forested countries, with a mere 13% compared to 38% in the European Union.

Please take some time out of your busy day and act now, tell your family, friends and work colleagues. The trees and wildlife have no voice so speak up now. Once the habitats, species and tranquillity have gone, they are lost for ever.

Please sign the petition

We will publish a step-by-step guide about how to lodge individual planning objections, when the time comes It will be available on the Hamsterley Forest Action Group Facebook page – join us there!

Your individual objections are vital in stopping this destruction.

Forestry England are currently in contact with Durham County Council Planning Department to seek preliminary pre- planning advice.   

We need to act now to ensure that we have a robust opposition in place to protect and preserve the existing tranquillity and natural environment of Hamsterley Forest for future generations to enjoy.