Article appeared in the BURTON MAIL

A MULTI-MILLION pound project aimed at boosting tourism in and around a South Derbyshire village has been given the go-ahead.

Mr Hartley wants to give people the 'Barbados treatment in Overseal'. It is hoped that the scheme will lure visitors to the area, and give tourists a place to stay when travelling to attractions such as Conkers.

Mr Hartley said: "I am very pleased the application has been accepted. The sister park at Swainswood fetches in people from all over the country and has been very popular. Now we are just looking forward to getting on with it. It'll be a high quality leisure holiday development and has received a good reaction from residents. It is going to be good for the tourists, good for Conkers, good for the area and we are proud to be providing it." It is believed beauty treatments and a therapist will also be available on site. The first stage of the proposals will be to prepare the site for development before the infrastructure and then the lodges are put in place.

Community leaders believe the development will benefit the village. Overseal Parish chairman Carole Knight said: "I think if this development is as good as the one in Park Road it will be an asset to Overseal. Mr Hartley has done a very good job with that and tourists are very welcome in the area. They are already coming to the caravan and camping site, which is a wonderful facility, and the National Forest Hostel is doing well."