PLANS for a massive expansion of a coastal caravan park have been given the green light, despite a volley of objections.
Seafield Caravan Park at Seahouses has been given planning permission to extend the site and create a further 188 static homes, a move which was opposed by almost 40 villagers.
The multi-million pound development, which is expected to create 100 new jobs and new sports facilities for the village, was approved by Northumberland County Council.
Owners of the 40-acre Seafield Road park Strathearn Leisure Parks Ltd, and agent Sandra Thompson of Signet Planning at Annitsford, applied to the county council to extend on to 9.75 hectares of agricultural land, and to add to the 400 or so vans already there.
The application was a resubmission after plans lodged in June last year were withdrawn.
The scheme proposed the building of a community sports facility, incorporating a full size football pitch for use by a village club, as well as 188 parking spaces and new access.
Bosses said the expansion was needed as the demand for the site means that they are operating almost at capacity at most times.
They claimed the scheme represented a multi-million pound development which would add to the site’s already “massive contribution to the local economy”.
Management also said the project would create 100 jobs, in addition to the existing 26 full-time and 29 part-time staff.
The application however drew 39 objections from people living near the site, voicing a range of concerns. Seven people wrote letters of support. Council officers recommended approval of the scheme, with conditions.
And at a meeting of the authority’s North area planning committee, members voted in line with that advice.
Park owner Ken Britton said after the meeting: “It has been quite a long process, a lot of work and effort has gone into it.
“But we have got there now.
“Hopefully we can take it forward and look forward to expanding the park.”
Seafield, which incorporates the Ocean Club health club, has won a string of regional and national accolades over the years, including a gold in the national final of the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2006 and a David Bellamy Conservation Award.
The site, awarded five stars by Quality Tourism, has been run by the Britton family for three generations and last year celebrated its 50th year in business.
The park overlooks the seafront and Bamburgh Castle, and is close to the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
