Forward Land worked with Hotel Solutions, who were engaged to undertake a study into the potential to develop holiday accommodation at the Nest site within Hamsterley Forest. The study was commissioned by Forestry England to understand the commercial potential and understand how to enhance the visitor experience.
Hammsterley Forest is already an established visitor destination and Forestry England’s main recreation site in County Durham. There are ambitions to secure new investment to realise the growth potential of the site and enhance the visitor experience. The development of a Forest Holidays Resort will add critical mass to the base of staying visitors in the forest. The Nest has been identified as being suitable for a variety of accommodation forms. It has a mix of grassy areas, woodland, hillside and a collection of buildings to serve visitor needs.
The aim was to advise Forestry England on the viability of accommodation in the context of the developing masterplan. The study produced a market appraisal citing product and guest trends with wider context. It also evaluated different operating models as a basis for recommending how the site should be developed and operated. Plans were produced to show product mix, density and zoning with conceptual floor plans for the conversion of existing buildings. This was accompanied by detailed financial projections and high level development appraisal. Support was also provided on the servicing and economic aspects as part of the pre-application discussions that took place.
Forestry England staff, estates teams and members of their commercial teams were consulted with during the study. Representatives from Visit County Durham and Forest Holidays were also engaged to produce a fully informed picture. The proposed site plan, business model, financial projections and key findings were presented to the senior management team. This was followed by a detailed report used to support the business case and take proposals forward.
