Green light likely for Duke's park

Feb 25 2008 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

A BID by a company owned by the Duke of Northumberland to build a 100-pitch caravan park in a coastal village is being recommended for approval, despite almost 50 objections.

The Duke’s business venture Northumberland Estates is seeking planning permission for the park on agricultural land east of New Barns Farm in Warkworth.

A total of 47 letters have been sent to Alnwick District Council objecting to the proposal, amid fears of increased traffic passing Warkworth First School, a perceived detrimental effect on the picturesque village and claims that there is already ample provision for caravanners in the area. But the council’s officers are advising their development control committee to approve the scheme at a meeting tomorrow saying there are no valid reasons to refuse.

One objector, Henry Field, 63, who lives at New Barns Court, Warkworth, last night said of the recommendation: “I am very surprised, I am deeply saddened... As people who live here we are entitled to our opinion. People just do not want it.”

The proposal follows the refusal of a scheme last October for 140 touring and static caravans. That, too, had been recommended for approval despite more than 60 objections.

In their report to tomorrow night’s meeting, council officers acknowledge the large level of opposition but say there are no grounds to refuse on the basis of visual and landscape impact or given the lack of objections from statutory bodies on highways matters.

Estates planner Barry Spall welcomed the council’s stance and insisted the new proposal had been altered to take into account local concerns.

He said: “We are pleased with the second recommendation for approval. We recognise there was local opposition to the original scheme and there is to the second but the revised scheme has taken on board the concerns of residents from the first time round.”