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Clowne Parish Council and Whitwell Parish Council have formally objected to the plans, while Barlborough Parish Council has expressed “significant concerns” regarding an application from Great Wolf Resorts. The company is seeking approval to develop a large-scale attraction on land south of Worksop Road.
In their submissions, Clowne and Whitwell parish councils described the proposed water park, adventure park and 512-room hotel as “incompatible” and “inappropriate” for the area.
Great Wolf Resorts said the scheme had been revised, with buildings redesigned to appear more “cottage-like” and additional landscaping introduced to help the development blend more naturally with its surroundings.
The 19.3-hectare (47.7-acre) site earmarked for development is currently agricultural land, located near the villages of Whitwell, Clowne and Barlborough.
Planning documents show the water park would feature a variety of attractions, including slides, rides, lazy rivers, toddler pools and a wave machine.
The company, described in the application as the largest operator of water park resorts in North America, said the project would bring “significant economic, social and environmental benefits” to the area and could create around 600 jobs.
Great Wolf Resorts also estimates that, if approved, the development could generate approximately £1 million in additional annual spending locally due to increased visitor numbers.
However, Clowne Parish Council has questioned the scale of the projected economic impact, suggesting the resort could operate largely as a self-contained destination, limiting wider benefits to the surrounding community.
Concerns have also been raised about the inclusion of a staff accommodation block for up to 200 people, with some questioning whether the new roles would primarily go to local residents and what impact additional traffic could have on nearby roads.
In response, the company said recruitment would “target” the local community, with the aim of filling the majority of roles locally. The proposed staff accommodation, it said, would serve as a contingency if required.
A spokesperson for Great Wolf Resorts added that at its US resorts, guests often visit local restaurants and cafés while travelling to and from the site, as well as during their stay. The company said it intends to become part of the wider tourist economy and expects benefits to be felt across the Bolsover district and the wider Derbyshire area.
