Holiday lodges likely to go ahead despite fears of urbanising the countryside

A decision will soon be made on whether a raft of new lodges can be set up at a Nottinghamshire holiday park, despite fears the countryside will be "urbanised" by the change. The Teversal Camping and Caravanning site, which is found off Silverhill Lane in the rural village, will likely be given permission to install 62 holiday lodges by Ashfield District Council's planning committee on Wednesday, December 4.

Council planning officers have recommended that committee members approve the project, which would replace the existing touring caravans and tents with static caravans, adding to the 31 already in place. Planning documents outline that visitors would be able to access the new lodges using the driveway that connects to Silverhill Lane.

While no local authorities had objected to the proposal, a council report explained that the Teversal, Stanton Hill & Skegby Neighbourhood Forum had opposed the change. The group said the highly regarded touring site attracted lots of visitors to the area, but claimed the new static caravans would "result in the loss of a much-needed resource".

A representative for the forum argued the 31 static caravans that are currently in place "harmfully altered the character and appearance of the site", and added the increased numbers would result in the "urbanisation" of the countryside. "It is clear that this change will have an impact on the current community, yet it is hard to see how the community would benefit from this change," they added.

Planning agent Edwardson Associates, which submitted planning documents on behalf of applicant Robert Welch, said the plan would "fundamentally change the nature or character of this prevailing developed site." The planners added that Ashfield District Council's planning policies generally supported tourism development.

A planning officer for the authority, who advised planning committee members to approve the proposed changes, said the council could not justify turning down the principle of the development as the site was already being used as a caravan site. They concluded the project could have social and economic benefits, while being unlikely to cause any environmental damage.

Writing in a report that will be considered by councillors at Wednesday's meeting, the officer added: "In social terms, there would be benefit from the provision of further lodges. The proposal also features a good level of pedestrian connectivity into the wider settlement and the proposed design and layout are in keeping with the character and appearance of the local vernacular.

"In economic terms, the provision of lodges may increase local spending, all of which would contribute towards the local economy and would support sustainable rural tourism which respects the character of the countryside. In environmental terms, the proposal would have little impact on the existing biodiversity with no habitat loss."