Planning setback for new caravan park

Article Published On 27 April 2007

The decision over whether to allow a controversial new caravan park near Draycott in Somerset has been delayed after local planners demanded a site visit.

Sedgemoor District Council's development control committee had been expected to reject outright the proposal to build the site, but strong support from Cheddar Parish Council and tourism experts meant that the committee asked for a site visit instead.

The committee is not due to meet again until June, so local campaigners hailed the decision as a victory.

"If planning policies are hurdles then the applicant does not only fail to clear them, he doesn't even get off the starting line," Dornford Roberts, the spokesperson for Save Open Land In Draycott (Solid), said.

However, Michael Pearce, the man who wants to build the caravan park, also welcomed the decision, saying that the planners would be able to see for themselves that the site would be screened from the road.

"The loss of agricultural land and highway issues can be overcome and the proposed planting of trees and shrubs would provide the necessary screen.

"Planning policy protects agricultural land unless there is an over-riding need and benefit, and in my opinion, and those of some officers, there is," Mr Pearce explained.

The proposed caravan site first hit the headlines earlier this year, when Solid started an online petition against the development which attracted hundreds of signatures.

 

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