CONTROVERSIAL plans to expand a Yorkshire Wolds leisure site would be equivalent to parking 12 double-deckers in valuable woodland, councillors were warned.
However, the plans for a spa and gym at the KP Club, at Kilnwick Percy, near Pocklington, narrowly secured the go-ahead, subject to conditions.
The proposed expansion of the woodland lodge resort and golf club had divided East Riding Council's planning committee.
It also sparked strong objections from the parish council and many residents in Kilnwick Percy.
Parish councillor Maggie Evans told the planning committee the woodland, which helps to screen the complex from residents and tourists, has been gradually eroded by development.
She said: "The proposed spa is 30 by 30 metres and five metres high. This is equivalent to 12 double decker buses parked in a square and built into the valued woodland.
"The applicant maintains the spa would only be for visitors to the lodges. But there are seven treatment rooms and a yoga room proposed, along with a swimming pool.
"We don't believe that 39 lodges can keep seven treatment rooms in business full time.
"The scale of the gym also appears to be too large for just the lodges and golf club members."
Wolds Weighton ward Councillor David Rudd warned the proposed facilities could damage the publicly- owned Frances Scaife Leisure Centre, as well as similar businesses in Pocklington, just a mile and a half away.
He said: "It will have a detrimental effect on the Wolds-protected landscape and affect the local economy and residents who lived there before this complex was ever thought about. They say enough is enough."
Councillor John Whittle claimed the scheme would increase disruption and noise for residents, as well as taking trade away from existing businesses.
He said: "It is cumulative over- development. I think it's going that step too far."
Councillor Chad Chadwick urged the planning committee to reject the scheme, saying the club development had devastated the area.
But Councillor Michael Whitehead argued tourism and jobs were important.
The applicants, Kilnwick Percy Golf Club, had insisted the scheme was an appropriate form of sustainable development, which would blend into existing woodland without harming the wider landscape.
The club had told the council the scheme would expand a thriving tourism and leisure business and maintain the "high quality and exceptional design" of existing development at the site.
Planning councillors were split down the middle on the application. It won the go-ahead after the committee chairman, Councillor Phyllis Pollard, decided to vote in favour.
Cllr Pollard insisted she sympathised with concerns, but felt "the damage has been done" at the site.
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