THE co-owner of Brokerswood Country Park has responded to criticism voiced at a scheme to turn the family park into a holiday destination.

An application was submitted to Wiltshire Council by Windsor-based holiday company Haulfryn in February and comments on the application were closed on March 22.

If approved, the plan will see 90 wooden holiday lodges and 10 camping pods built on the campsite of the popular family park.

A number of people have raised concerns as they believe this would cause an increase in traffic in the area, lead to more noise pollution and would damage the natural environment.

But co-owner Sue Capon believes the move will benefit the park and that their fears are not justified.

Mrs Capon said: “After many successful years at Brokerswood Country Park we are pleased to be working with Haulfryn on this new chapter in the park’s story.

“After investing so much in protecting and preserving the park we knew that we had to find the right business to continue my family’s legacy here.

“Haulfryn has an enviable reputation in the holiday accommodation business and, if approved, the application will allow them to create fantastic holiday accommodation whilst looking after the historic woodland for many years to come.

“The land here has been becoming increasingly damaged by footfall of around 50,000 day visitors every year. If this planning application is approved, the land’s future will be secured.

“As for the claims that there will be more traffic, that simply isn’t possible as there will no longer be day visitors coming to the park.

“In terms of noise, lodges are far more appealing that tents as there is far less noise pollution. Laughing and joking can easily be heard from inside canvas but it’s far more insulated inside a lodge.

“We have never been popular with people in the area so this decision was always going to cause a bit of a backlash, the same thing happened when we announced the caravan park.”

Wiltshire Council aims to make a decision on the planning application by May 16.