Caravan park’s future under scrutiny

THE future of the long-established Holly Bank Caravan Park at Rixton will again come under scrutiny on Wednesday, April 4, when it comes before Warrington’s development management committee.
Councillors have to decide whether the site in Warburton Bridge Road can be used as a permanent residential site or should remain for touring caravans only.
In fact, planning officers admit, some 100 out of 121 caravan pitches on the site have been there for more than 11 years and were the main or only place of residence for their occupants – meaning the site is operating as an unauthorised permanent residential site.
Councillors have already agreed the site can stay in business as a touring caravan site. But they deferred a decision on the issue of permanent residence as a result of an objections from Rixton-with-Glazebrook Parish Council.
The parish says if any change is approved, use of the site should be limited to a 10-month period with the site closed, possibly, during November and December.
The site was originally 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.
The owner now wishes to regularise the situation but with a reduced number of pitches.