Carry on over glamping

Mo and Geoff Woods at the eco-glamping site in Delph

PROTESTORS have raised the temperature over plans to build Saddleworth's first eco-glamping site in redundant quarry.

Their concerns focus on safety aspects of access roads leading to the proposed site at Rough Knarr Quarry, Delph, and worries about wild life.

But Geoff Woods, a retired construction company director, defended his eco plan at the three acre site off Thurston Clough Road.

He said:"This will be a small family-run business providing a unique experience for people who love the great outdoors, welcoming walkers, climbers and cyclists."

Mr Woods and his wife Mo, deputy head at St Edwards school, Lees where she has taught for 30 years, are seeking to install nine 'glamping' pods, ten camping plots and one, 12-person yurt with existing site access to meet current standards with a minimum 32 car parking plots.

Other amenities would use reclaimed materials and include a block with toilet, shower, disabled facilities, a separate communal kitchen and an office/site shop with staff accommodation.

One of the the objectors, former OMBC councillor Lynne Thompson who lives on Stoneswood Road, said:"The site entrance is on a long, sharp blind bend and there would be severe risk of accidents.

"Access roads are already overburdened, very few houses have off road parking and Stoneswood Road and Thurston Clough Road are very congested and narrow at Scouthead.

"Camper vans, camping trailers and caravans would not pass easily and some would be hard put to reverse at all, let alone safely.

" The entrance to Stoneswood Road has a hairpin turn and one secton has a footpath and the narrowest parts at both ends have none.

"Children and elderly residents would be put at considerably greater risk by increased traffic."

She added :"The condition of Thurston Clough Road is appalling due to water erosion and crude repair."

Local OMBC ward councillors - Cllr Garth Harkness Nicola Kirkham and Derek Heffernan - underpin congestion problems.

Mayor elect Derek Heffernan said:"The junction at Delph is appalling -- who will pay for the upgrade of Stoneswood Road? We could not agree to increased use if a major upgrade was not completed."

Diana Bolan who lives at a farm on Thurston Clough Road said the potential of a large volume of people coming to a quiet rural area will impact on residents.

"There is a danger to horse riders, walkers and drivers. As it is, you take your life in your hands, there are numerous near misses," she declared.

Phillida Shipp, chair of Delph Community Association, said:"At first this proposal appears to be an appropriate development that would help local businesses.

"But against this is the view the development would destroy a haven for wildlife."

Former Parish Council chair Keith Begley, who lives in Delph, said:"Conversion of this natural and scarce refuge for local wildlife will be catastrophic.

"It seems perverse the people who would be most attracted to a holiday in the countryside should be party to the destruction of a wild life haven."

But Mr Woods, father of three, who lives close to the site, said:"The site is completely off grid.

"There will be borehole for water, solar power for lighting, LPG for hot water and a Bio-digester for waste water.

"It will be purpose built, environmental friendly and support local business.

"It's a unique location, screened by trees -- a small nature reserve.

"There will be no significant impact on the environment or road usage," he stressed. "It will give people to experience the beauty of the area."

The application goes before Oldham Councils planning committee later this month.