More than 500 comments on plans for water park

4 hours ago

Jon CooperLocal Democracy Reporting Service

News image — Great Wolf Resorts often feature a large indoor water area, along with other leisure facilities

Great Lakes UK Limited A large warehouse like indoor space with covered slides towering over a shallow pool — Great Wolf Resorts often feature a large indoor water area, along with other leisure facilities

More than 500 public comments have been submitted during an ongoing consultation into plans for a major indoor water park resort in Derbyshire.

Bolsover District Council is gathering views on proposals for a Great Wolf Resorts development at Whitwell Common before making a decision on the scheme at a later date.

The consultation has been extended until 28 August while further responses are collected from residents, councils and statutory bodies.

Supporters say the project would bring jobs and investment, while opponents have raised concerns about traffic, flooding and environmental impacts.

The proposed development would be built on 19.3 hectares of agricultural land between Barlborough, Clowne and Whitwell.

Plans include a 512-room hotel, indoor water park, adventure facilities, restaurants, conference space and staff accommodation.

Campaign group Say No to the Wolf has urged residents to object, arguing the resort, together with the separate Clowne Garden Village housing scheme, could place additional pressure on roads and the environment.

A spokesperson for the group told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the large number of objections demonstrated the "strength of feeling" among residents and claimed key issues remained unanswered.

LDRS A number of people with green and yellow signs opposing the water park. — Those opposing the scheme have raised concerns about the impact on roads and the environment

But supporters from the Friends of Great Wolf Lodge Derbyshire group - who have more than 1,200 members on Facebook - described the scheme as a "fantastic investment" that could create jobs and provide a new leisure attraction for the area.

Among the objections submitted so far are concerns from Clowne Parish Council and Whitwell Parish Council. Both have questioned the scale of the project and its potential impact on local communities.

Derbyshire County Council's highways team has also requested more information on potential impact of the proposed scheme on the A616/A619 Treble Bob roundabout.

Great Wolf Resorts estimates the development could create around 600 jobs and would expect to generate an additional £1m visitor spending in the area. The company also said it plans to improve walking and cycling links, introduce a minibus service from railway stations and create areas of rewilded habitat.

Planning officers will make a recommendation after the consultation closes, with a final decision to be taken by Bolsover District Council's planning committee at a future meeting.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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