Center Parcs has been given approval to build a fifth site at Warren Wood, near Woburn, in rural Bedforshire.

Planning permission for the site was granted by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and overruled the local council’s earlier decision to decline approval for the site.

In July 2006, Mid Beds District Council turned down Center Parcs’ application for a holiday village on the land, saying that the development would be inappropriate in the south Bedfordshire Green Belt. Center Parcs appealed against the decision and the matter was forwarded to the DCLG

The latest decision is expected to end a prolonged dispute, which began with Center Parcs announced its plans to open a fifth site in December 2004 and filing for planning approval in June 2005.

The proposed £200m holiday park will comprise 700 forest villas, a 75-bed hotel and spa and two main centres including indoor sports, a swimming pool, restaurants and retail outlets.

According to Center Parcs, the development will generate significant economic benefit to the local region, including a £2m contribution to improve the infrastructure around the new village including improvements to the A507.

The holiday park will also create 1,400 jobs and a new public right of way within the Bedford Estate, with around 500,000 new trees being planted in the area.

Martin Dalby, chief executive of Center Parcs, said: “The new Center Parcs village near Woburn will benefit the local economy through the creation of new jobs and further investment into the region. It will attract a greater number of visitors to local sites and amenities in and around Bedfordshire.

“Our philosophy is to make our villages and their environment sustainable which has been widely recognised given the support we have received for this development from a whole range of organisations.

“We believe this is a very exciting project and we look forward to continuing to update local organisations as our plans and development of the village progress.”

However, local residents opposing the scheme now have six months to lodge another appeal, and are reportedly considering their options.

Prior to the Mid Beds District Council’s decision to turn down the application last year, the council received 1,029 signatures and 172 letters objecting to the scheme.