Center Parcs has scrapped plans for a new holiday park in an ancient woodland that is home to rare birds after outcry from wildlife campaigners.
The holiday company said that it had decided the 550-acre Oldhouse Warren site in Worth Forest was “not suitable” for the development, due to not being able to meet targets to improve biodiversity at the site. The plans included 900 lodges, indoor and outdoor leisure facilities, a variety of restaurants, a spa, and a “subtropical swimming paradise”.
Wildlife campaigners say the case shows why strict planning rules around biodiversity should not be relaxed, which has been an idea floated by some Conservative politicians to boost growth.
Last year, hundreds of protesters took part in a mass trespass on the site to register their anger over the plans.
The development, which was expected to cost £350m-£400m, would have been on land home to rare birds including crossbills, goshawks and firecrests. It had been picked by the holiday company because of its good transport links to London.
Nature experts said the proposals would have been “disastrous” for wildlife, and would involve disturbing a “rare gem” of ancient woodland.
Jack Taylor, lead campaigner for the Woodland Trust, said: “All credit to Center Parcs for pulling out of plans to develop a new park in ancient woodland. It is why proper site assessments are needed in planning and no shortcuts. The proposals would have been disastrous for wildlife and see us lose irreplaceable habitat. Oldhouse Warren is an exceptional 550-acre ancient woodland and a rare gem, given that ancient woods now cover less than 3% of the UK.”
Center Parcs’ chief executive, Colin McKinlay, said: “We have always been committed to only building our villages in areas where we can improve the biodiversity of the site. While it is obviously disappointing that we will not be able to bring Center Parcs to this part of West Sussex, this decision demonstrates how seriously we take our responsibility to the environment, as well as our ongoing commitment to enhancing the natural habitats in which our villages are located.”
