Caravan park expansion plan set to be approved

Salop Caravan Sites Ltd is proposing an additional 40 static caravans at Spring Lea Holiday Park & Fishery in Lea Cross

Bosses at a holiday park near Shrewsbury are expected to be allowed to expand, with councillors being asked to approve plans next week.

Salop Caravan Sites Ltd would like to add 40 static caravans at Spring Lea Holiday Park & Fishery on Plealey Road, Lea Cross, as well as a new access road from the A488 and a path.

Six members of the public and Pontesbury Parish Council objected over concerns about a negative visual and environmental impact, and a strain on infrastructure and traffic.

But Shropshire Council's planning officer said the proposal "represents the growth of an established rural tourism enterprise that aligns with both national and local planning policy objectives".

The parish council also raised concerns about the speed of vehicles on the A488 and wanted the sight-lines to be examined to ensure the safety of drivers using the road as well as those using the site.

It requested a lower speed limit on the route as well as "turning vehicles" signposts.

"We would also want to ensure that all permanent sited caravans were owner-occupied and not advertised for hire," the parish council added.

The planning officer said the development would "contribute positively to the local economy, enhance Shropshire's visitor offer, and improve site sustainability through better access to public transport and revised site access arrangements".

"While the proposal involves a significant increase in accommodation units and the loss of agricultural land, it does not conflict with current policy protections in this regard," she said.

"The siting, scale, and design of the development are appropriate in the context of the existing site and surrounding landscape, with substantial landscaping proposed to mitigate visual impacts as well as ground investigation controlled by condition."

She added that revised access arrangements would improve safety on Plealey Road, with the benefits outweighing any "potential adverse effects".

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.