Caravan park appeal fails over flooding danger at Crowland site
An attempt by owners of a Crowland caravan site to get permission for its use throughout the year has failed.
James and Mary O'Connor, owners of The Bridge Caravan Park in Common Drove, had tried to overturn a decision to refuse planning permission for their two-acre site outside Ye Olde Bridge Inn pub to be used throughout the year.
The O'Connors applied to South Holland District Council in March 2017 for the right to have 25 static caravan plots, including one for the site manager, open full-time, instead of the maximum period totalling 56 days a year as laid down by conditions that were set in October 2010.
Part of the conditions also included the siting of no more than 30 caravans, a mix of static and touring types, on the land and a static caravan for the site manager.
A statement on behalf of the owners to the district council in March 2017 said: "Occupation of the park by full-time residents would guarantee the upkeep of the site and improve security all year round.
"Full-time residential occupation would also improve the park's current contribution to the local economy by ensuring the site is occupied on a permanent basis where, at present, the site is mostly unoccupied for many parts of the year."
But the district council turned down the plans in April 2017, describing the Common Drove site as "unsustainable for residential use due to its location nearly a mile outside of Crowland town centre and a possible risk of flooding.
In a report dismissing the O'Connor's appeal, the Planning Inspectorate said: "The site is in an area with the highest probability of flooding, ignoring the presence of defences.
"Should a flooding event occur, the risk on the site is classified by the Environment Agency as 'Danger for Most/Danger for All'.
"In such areas, residential development should not be allowed and we have seen no evidence of a need for permanent residents on the site that would overcome the flood risk."
Coun David Kempton, chairman of Crowland Parish Council's planning committee, said: "We are pleased to see that the Planning Inspector has refused the appeal against the district council's refusal to grant planning permission for a change of use on the Bridge Caravan Park.
"The parish council has long campaigned for enforcement action to ensure compliance with existing planning approvals on this site and is now hoping that the process which has just concluded will finally resolve any ambiguity that may have existed around ongoing activities there.
"The Planning Inspector has succinctly listed the conditions of operation granted by previous successful applications and the parish council will be content for the site to continue operating within these constraints."
Coun Bryan Alcock, parish and district councillor for Crowland, said: "I am pleased with the Planning Inspector's decision which, in turn, supports the district council's decision in April 2017 for a refusal of change of use.
"The site has been the source of continuous concerns for both the parish council, as well as the district council.
"The inspector analysed the existing planning conditions which seek to control activities on the site and I hope that, in itself, this helps the district council to monitor and enforce those conditions more effectively than in the past."
