Appeal for increase in static caravans at Bowleaze Cove

1:50pm Friday 19th September 2008

• IN September 2007 the Waterside Holiday Group, operating on land adjacent to Bowleaze Cove, applied for planning permission for a change of use of some of their land from an existing touring caravan site to a site for 45 static holiday caravans, with the effect of increasing their total number of caravans to nearly 600.

According to the application, the site of just under 4 acres is located at the top end of the Waterside Holiday Park, bordered by Church Road where it turns sharp left then sharp right to go up to the stables. It is presently laid out with 70 touring pitches, with planning permission for touring units to occupy the land for any length of time, except that there must be no caravans on the site between 15th January and 28th February each year.

It is stated that the touring pitches are well used during the main holiday periods, less so outside these periods, and usage depends on the weather conditions, so overall there is more demand for static holiday caravans. The application includes a detailed landscaping scheme with substantial further tree and shrub planting, for, although the area is already screened by trees and hedging planted a while ago, in the winter, when the leaves are off the trees, there would be views of the caravans from outside the site - perhaps, for instance, from St Andrew's Church.

A similar planning application was refused back in 2002, but a compromise' application then resulted in a change of use of the southern part of the touring field to static caravans. In support of the application it is stated that having 45 static caravans instead of the touring units will reduce the movement of towed caravans through the rest of the busy caravan park and maximise visitors to the park which adds revenue to the local economy.

In November 2007 the application was turned down by W&PBC, but the Waterside Holiday Group has appealed against that decision. I believe that the reasons given for the appeal are the same as for the original application - an improvement in the economy and management of the site, an increase in employment, a reduction in traffic congestion and an improvement in the quality of accommodation. A Planning Inspector will hear the appeal at a public enquiry in the Ocean Room at Weymouth Pavilion, starting on Tuesday, 7 October which is expected to last for two days.

Everyone is entitled to attend this public enquiry, and even to make representations to the Inspector, at his discretion, if they so wish. If you have views on this application, or would like to show your support for those who will be putting forward views such as Graham Embley, at this public meeting, mark the dates - Tuesday and Wednesday, 7 and 8 October - in you diaries, and make sure you attend for some or all of the time. Public opinion, demonstrated by a good attendance, does carry weight

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