Planners defer decision on caravan site

PLANNING chiefs have agreed to allow a long-standing site for touring caravans at Rixton to stay in business – but have deferred a decision on an application to allow the site to be used for permanent residential caravans..
Members of the borough council’s development management committee put off the second decision at Holly Bank Caravan Park, in Warburton Bridge Road, after hearing there was an objection from Rixton Parish Council.
Officers recommended both applications for approval – but admitted that at present it could only be concluded that currently the site operated mainly as an unauthorised permanent residential site, with only 21 out 121 pitches being used by touring caravans.
Some 100 caravans were said to have been on the site for more than 11 years and it was assumed they were the main, or sole, place of residence for their occupants.
The site is in the Green Belt – and Rixton Parish Council’ s objection is on the grounds that the site would become a permanent residential site and not, as permitted, a transit site for touring caravans for periods of up to 28-days only.
They suggested that if a change was approved, use of the site should be limited to a 10-month period with the site closed, possibly, during November and December.
The committee was told the site was granted permission for 30 touring caravans in 1978. Subsequently the number was increased and permission was given for five static caravans.
In 2005 permission was refused for an extension to the site – but no pitches were in fact created and an enforcement notice was served.
The owner now wished to regularise the situation but with a reduced number of pitches.