Planning officer recommends scrap yard caravan park plans
Plans have been submitted to build a caravan park on a former Lancashire scrap yard
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Wednesday, 14, Dec 2011 09:16
by Tom Lowenstein
Plans to build a six pitch caravan and camping park on an old scrap yard in East Lancashire have been recommended for approval by the local planning officer, despite being met with objections from nearby residents.
Supporters of the planning proposal argue that the caravan park would bring invaluable tourism to the area, helping the nearby valley and businesses flourish from increased visitor numbers.
But neighbours have raised fears that the site would turn into a destination for travellers, while bringing with it an unbearable level of traffic to the site on Blackwood Road in Stacksteads, the Lancashire Telegraph reported.
Ben Edmondson, a planning agent involved in the application, believes that the local area will benefit from the site as the wonderful local hills and quarries which make up the nearby Adrenaline Gateway draw lots of visitors to its ruggedly beautiful terrain.
The natural habitat, which is used for a range of adrenaline-fuelled outdoor sports, is a popular tourist destination, but Mr Edmonson argues that there is little affordable accommodation nearby which prevents local businesses benefitting from tourism.
"There are no affordable sites to camp or stay close to these hills and quarries. They are not using or spending money in local shops and businesses," he told the newspaper.
With the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board confirming the lack of accommodation in the area, it appears that the complainant's fears will go unheard.
The local planning manager Stephen Stray has recommended that the application be passed, stating that traffic will not be an issue because its former use as a scrap yard generated large traffic volumes.
Mr Stray said: "The site will contain a relatively small number of pitches for touring caravans and the anticipated use of the road is not likely to increase over that associated with the previous use," the local newspaper quoted him as saying.
Meanwhile, the application has been amended to move the toilet park to an area of the plot where it will be shielded by trees.