PROPOSALS for a new holiday village on a former quarry have been withdrawn.

The plans for the site at the disused Spaunton Quarry, which is located west of Appleton-le-Moors, and within the North York Moors National Park, were first put forward two years ago.

They included 50 bespoke timeshare houses, cottages and apartments, together with a central clubhouse with leisure and sports facilities on the unused derelict site.

However, the plans have failed to get adequate support from the North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA) to justify progressing the project and the Spaunton Estate, which owns the quarry, has decided to submit a much smaller application.

The new proposal is to create a holiday lettings/leisure business which can be run by a single person or a couple.

The planning application seeks to build a sixth log cabin, planning permission already exists for five, as well as 12 touring caravan pitches.

Additionally, there is a second planning application to redevelop two of the former quarry buildings for agricultural use – one as a sheep-shed and the other to hold ancillary storage such as fodder and bedding.

George Winn-Darley of the Spaunton Estate, which owns the land, said the Spaunton Hollow proposal had received a great deal of support from the public and local councils.

“Ever since quarrying commenced in 1840, Spaunton Quarry has provided jobs for local families,” he said.

“We were saddened not to be able progress the holiday village idea since it would provide much benefit to the national park, as well as approximately 150 permanent jobs. Nevertheless we are guided by the local planning authority that smaller visitor accommodation businesses are needed within the national park so are endeavouring to help meet that need.”

Both planning applications refer to areas within the site which are currently designated as common land.

Jan Devos, agent for the Spaunton Estate, said: “What complicates the matter is that many people believe planning permission and building work cannot take place on common land.

“It can, and often does, however, the estate will be pursuing a proposal with the planning inspectorate which effectively swaps the previously developed areas of common land which have no topsoil for better quality land to be made available for grazing.”

She added: “Not only will this be of greater value to people who have a right to walk on commons, but also to the sheep which graze it.

“It will also allow the estate to fully clean up the land which has been the centre of limestone quarrying, crushing and coating with Tarmac for up to 160 years.”

For more information, go to

spauntonquarry.com