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UK Council Refuses Plan to Build Tourist Caravan Park Near Outstanding Natural Beauty

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Cunningham Leisure Parks’ vision to revamp a former goods yard into a campground featuring 13 touring caravans has recently been denied by local council, with three main reasons for refusal. Namely, they cited potential disruption to the nearby Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the heritage assets close to the area, and the residential dwelling in the vicinity.

In addition to the caravan spaces, two prefabricated units proposed to the council were planned to be shared with an existing lodges site, Great Harlow Views, and would house a manager and a ‘facilities unit’. A three-metre wide track and a new 1.8-metre high palisade fence were also proposed as part of the arrangement.

The planning officer in the report, while recommending that Cunningham Leisure’s plan be refused, described the site as rural yet near the Forest of Bowland ANOB, the grade two listed Flying Horse Shoe Hotel, which now functions as apartments, the River Wenning, and neighbouring residential properties.

The plan to build five holiday lodges at the former goods yard in 2020 was decreed unsuitable by Craven District Council and their judgement was backed up by the rejection of an appeal. Issues raised by local authorities included the potential disruption of the AONB, light pollution, effect on nearby wildlife, and the unsightly visuals of the site for passengers on the nearby train.

Network Rail and North Yorkshire Highways declined to object to the plan. Chief planner for the project, Ros Parker, noted that the caravan pitches and camper vans would be highly visible in the centre of the hamlet and could potentially cause an eyesore to its traditionally rural surroundings. Moreover, the caravan park would partially obstruct the view of two heritage-listed locations, the Grade two listed railway waiting room and the Grade two listed Flying Horse Shoe Hotel, as well as cause a disturbance to Moorland View.

Agents on behalf of Cunningham Leisure Parks argued that the plan carried tangible economic benefits, with the potential of thirteen caravans visiting the site for holiday purposes all-year-round. The proximity to the railway station, they argued, would be advantageous for wider tourism initiatives. Furthermore, the plan would enhance the already existing natural landscape and contain no additional buildings, foundations, or structures.

Ultimately, the plan resulted in 12 objections from the public, to which no support was given, making Cunningham Leisure’s vision to build a tourist caravan park near the regional beauty of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty shutdown.