DELAMERE Forest is again earmarked for holiday lodges after revised proposals were submitted for the controversial scheme.

Campaigners and runners celebrated victory in 2014 in their fight to defeat plans for 70 holiday cabins in the forest.

The Forestry Commission and Forest Holidays wanted to provide a replacement visitor centre and create the cabins.

A planning inspector recommended the scheme should be refused because of the harm it would cause to the Green Belt, and the Secretary of State agreed.

Almost two years on from that decision the Forestry Commission and Forest Holidays is seeking permission from Cheshire West and Chester Council for a new visitor centre and 67 timber cabins.

“The application comprises a revised and significantly enhanced submission of an application refused by the Secretary of State in December 2014,” said a report by Concept Town Planning accompanying the application.

“Delamere Forest is a hugely popular recreational hub serving the north west. However, the infrastructure is struggling to cope with the number of people who come to visit.

“The proposals are essential to solve the challenge of hosting the estimated 750,000 people who enjoy the forest each year.

“They will enhance the experience for visitors and local residents, ease visitor pressure and create better car parking and lower off-site speed limits.

“It is proposed to offer an all new visitor centre offering improved facilities which better cater for visitor expectations and needs.

“It is proposed to upgrade the existing facilities on site, including shop, café, meeting rooms, toilets, reception area and cycle hire in a more coherent and legible manner.”

The Forestry Commission’s tree nursery and polytunnels would be removed, and the commission’s district offices would be relocated to the current visitor centre.

Parking would be provided for 309 vehicles, with extra overspill parking provided for event days.

There would be a mix of one to five-bedroom self-catering holiday units, set within 26 hectares of the 852-hectare forest.

The scheme includes a building which would act as a small ‘daily essentials’ shop, café and reception area.

“A minimal amount of new paths and roads will be created as existing forest tracks will be fully utilised to minimise development,” said the report.

“Services will run in a single trench, where appropriate, and will be run alongside the forest tracks.

“The scale of the parking proposed is proportionate to meet existing and anticipated future visitor numbers to the forest, as well as helping to better manage and alleviate traffic problems currently experienced around the forest, especially at periods of peak demand.”

The cabins would be single storey, with the exception of 10 two-storey, four-bedroom cabins. The existing access to the visitor centre off Ashton Road would be widened and improved.