Caravan park plans recommended for approval
New plans for a caravan park in the Shropshire countryside are set to be approved after a previous application was rejected.
The proposals for Links Holiday Lodges, near Hinstock, would see the site’s two existing lodges replaced with 10 static caravans.
A similar application was refused in 2019 on the grounds of over-development and harm to the character of the area. An appeal to the planning inspectorate was dismissed.
The applicants say the concerns raised over the previous scheme have been taken into account in the fresh plans, which show the same number of caravans spread over a larger area of land.
An office, parking, open space and a children’s play area will also be provided.
Despite the changes, 24 members of the public have objected to the application and 45 households have signed a petition calling for it to be refused.
Hinstock Parish Council has also objected, saying: “The parish council objects to this proposal on the grounds of detrimental impact on residential amenity for neighbouring properties, inadequate/unsuitable highways access, detrimental environmental impact and inappropriate over development of the site which will have an adverse impact on the local context and character.”
Planning officers have however recommended the application be approved by Shropshire Council’s northern planning committee.
A report by case officer Richard Denison to the committee says: “The recently refused scheme…equated to a density level of 12 units per acre with the static caravans being located only a minimum of seven metres from one another.
“Having regard to the open nature of the site and rural character officers considered that the provision of 10 units would appear cramped and overdeveloped and would detract from the appearance of the local area.
“However, this revised application now proposes to utilise an area of the paddock which was previously indicated to be a dog walking area located to the west of the static caravans.
“The use of this additional land will result in a density level of approximately six units per acre identical to the previously approved log cabins.
“This has resulted in significant gaps between the static caravans ranging from eight to nearly 17 metres.
“The car parking and level of hard standing adjoining the static caravans has been reduced and improved natural woodland landscaping in between the units and along the boundaries of the site.”
The report adds that the caravan park “will not result in any detrimental impact” on nearby residents, with the closest property being 120 metres away.
Addressing the road safety concerns, Mr Denison says a refusal on highways grounds would be difficult to substantiate, as the site already has permission for five lodges – though only two have been built – meaning the current application is effectively only proposing a further five units.
The application will be decided by the planning committee on Tuesday.
