A proposed Clacton tourist attraction recommended for approval by council planning officers could create 30 jobs in the town.

Penny Smith has submitted plans for Hasty’s Adventure Park at a former gravel pit off of West Road.

The site, if given the go ahead by Tendring District Council (TDC), would include a farm area with traditional animals and crops, wildlife areas, and an undercover adventure play area suitable for toddlers to young teenagers.

A large sand pit and pedal-powered go kart track would be included within the play area, while a cafe and information centre could be added in a later phase if there is enough investment in the attraction.

Although outside of the settlement boundary, TDC planning officers say the rural nature of the proposed attraction combined with neighbouring facilities including the Millers Barn Golf Club and Clacton Airfield mean this development would be acceptable in planning terms.

In a report to councillors planning officers state: “The proposal will contribute to the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area.

“The proposal will create jobs both in its creation and ongoing management and will have a positive impact on local tourism, improve accessibility to the countryside and will have environmental benefits through the landscaping proposals and habitat creation in the wildlife areas.”

The applicant’s planning statement adds: “The proposal will contribute positively to economic development through providing a unique visitor attraction.

“The proposal will contribute to tourism, aiming to encourage people to stay longer in the district by offering another attraction.”

As well as being an attraction for both local residents and tourists, the facility could also be used for school and educational trips.

The planning application, submitted by Strutt & Parker on behalf of Mrs Smith, estimates 30 full time jobs will be created by the development.

TDC’s draft Local Plan estimates tourism is worth more than £276million to the district and could form the basis of a significant proportion of new jobs.

TDC’s planning committee is set to rule on the plans during a meeting next Tuesday.

If approved as per the planning application the site would open from 9.30am until 6pm in the tourist season, from March to October, and close at 3pm during the low season.

The proposals include parking for 100 cars at the attraction.

The name, Hasty’s, has been chosen to reflect the name of the field the site would be based on.