Frodsham MP Mike Amesbury was given a sneak peek of new timber cabins at a holiday park about to open in Delamere Forest.

Mike had backed his constituents in opposing the scheme by Forest Holidays, fearing the impact of a commercial development on the forest setting.

But the 66-cabin scheme with Forest Retreat shop and café-bar, plus play areas, is now ready to open on April 12, which is the earliest date possible under the roadmap out of lockdown.

The Weaver Vale MP said: "I thank Forest Holidays for the tour and there's no doubt the holiday park looks great.

"Reflecting the concerns of my constituents, I opposed the development because it was in the Green Belt. But we are where we are.

"This area of the forest will remain open for the public to roam at will. And the scheme appears sympathetic to its surroundings and the environment.

"Clearly, I am pleased it will generate 60 jobs for local people – including many who were previously unemployed - and have a positive ripple effect for the Cheshire economy as we recover from the impact of the pandemic.

"I also welcome the wider investment it has brought to the amenities of Delamere Forest and am assured the operators intend to be good neighbours."

The Cheshire woodland was chosen as the 11th location for Forest Holidays and 66 eco-sensitive cabins in the north-western part of the forest.

Campaigners were bitterly opposed to the holiday park which was twice rejected by Cheshire West and Chester Council planning committee but was allowed on appeal by a planning inspector following a long-running saga.

Forest Holidays says it actively encourages guests to go out and explore local areas helping to create 'a vibrant year-round' tourist economy.

Visitors to the new Delamere Forest location are expected to generate an estimated £2.4 million annually for the local economy, helping it to recover and grow following the pandemic.

The holiday park has created 60 full and part-time job opportunities, with 75 per cent of the new team already recruited and living within 10 miles of Delamere Forest. The newly recruited workforce includes 60 per cent who had either been made redundant due to coronavirus or were sadly out of work.