PLANS to build a country park complete with a visitor centre, restaurant and accommodation have been criticised by residents.

Developer Coln Park LLP agreed to create a country park near Lechlade after it was given permission to build holiday lodges at the prestigious Lakes by Yoo site, which is frequented by celebrities.

This was part of the Section 106 agreement when Coln Park was granted approval for the lodges, which stipulates that developers have to give something back to the community they are building on, such as money for roads or a new library.

Lechlade residents expected the promised country park to be a quiet and peaceful retreat, but believe that Coln Park has proposed something very different.

The developers’ application includes a visitor centre, restaurant, toilet, parking, short-let accommodation with self-catering and a new entrance from the A417.

Now, after heavy opposition from residents and councillors from both Lechlade and Fairford town councils, as well as Kempsford Parish Council, Coln Park has offered to pay £50,000 over five years to go towards building new footpaths in the area.

But Lechlade town and district councillor Sue Coakley said she doubted the local councillors would be happy with this new idea.

“The visitor centre was meant to enhance the park and give visitors and residents something else to do,” said Cllr Coakley.

“I think members of the community envisaged something like the Gateway Centre in South Cerney - some sort of cafe and a little shop.

“What is being proposed is totally out of scale.”

Cllr Coakley went on to say that the new footpath scheme was the developers way of trying to make the whole situation better, but that £50,000 was not actually that much money to be spread over five years.

“It’s good that Coln Park are wanting to do something positive but it’s disappointing that they don’t come up with a better scheme,” she added.

“No amount of money is going to distract the local councils from their desire to have an enhanced country park.”

All three councils will be meeting in the next few weeks to discuss the plans and prepare a response to Coln Park LLP.

Visit cotswold.gov.uk using planning number 14/02702/FUL to submit your comments before November 27.