PLANS for a major new multi-million pound tourist attraction on the outskirts of Evesham will be decided by councillors this afternoon.

Officers have recommended that members of Wychavon District Council’s Development Control Committee approve the outline application for the development at Evesham Country Park.

The £20 million proposal by Eagle One, which has owned and operated the park for 10 years, is themed around ‘the great outdoors’.

A new wetland nature reserve, holiday lodges, a heritage orchard and angling facilities are among the ideas in the application. The scheme would also promote better pedestrian, cycle and river links to Evesham town centre.

While the plan has received the backing of Evesham Town Council and groups including Natural England and the Environment Agency, 16 letters of objection have been received by Wychavon raising concerns including the impact on residents of Offenham, the scale of the development and increased car usage.

But officers said the economic benefits that could come from the development “outweigh any identified harm”.

They added the council’s retail consultant was satisfied a proposed retail element of the scheme would not adversely impact on the vitality and viability of the town centre and its shopping experience.

The planninge meeting is open to the public and is at Wychavon’s offices on Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore. It begins at 2pm.