Parish Councillors vote down caravan site

Audlem Parish Council's meeting last Monday began with a lively Public Forum with many residents of Paddock Lane in attendance to protest at a recent planning application for a touring caravan and camping site submitted to Cheshire East Council.

Eloquent

David Taylor, a Paddock Lane resident, spoke eloquently and persuasively on behalf of those living near the proposed site at the junction of Paddock Lane and Woore Road – many will remember this site was proposed as an allotment site with stables as a condition a few years ago resulting in a public meeting.

David Taylor described it as "The wrong site, in the wrong place, for the wrong reasons. There was no need for a permanent touring caravan site which was to be unmanned, small and unattractive to caravanners and campers in a site that was prone to flooding. There was no clear need for such a site as the area is well served by other caravan sites." He then named five nearby alternative sites.

"The impact" he said, "would be substantial and would affect many local properties. The application included a large amenity block which was more like a small bungalow. Access was poor, there would be potential clashes with the agricultural vehicles that use Paddock Lane and the proposal was in breach of a number of planning rules designed to protect the countryside. If this application was allowed, it would establish a precedent leading to further development."

Parish Council's view

The Parish Council went on to discuss the application in considerable detail. There was concern that the proposal was for an unmanned site and as it was not seasonal, this could lead to a long-term encampment. It was thought this would be detrimental to the image of Audlem.

Traffic safety issues were raised by other councillors while there was concern that the site could end up as a "caravan dump site" and there was a potential for uncontrolled parties. It was said that this appears to be a "shoe in the door" application for another change of use.

Councillors felt that the proposed site on Paddock Lane was unsuitable for caravans particularly as that road is used by many milk tankers. The planned gate to the site was unsuitable and not wide enough which would make it very difficult for cars towing caravans to turn in or out safely.

The plan appeared to be for 12 caravans which, it was said, was in excess of the normal Caravan Club conditions. In addition the Paddock Lane exit onto the A525 was not safe as turning right at the junction towards Woore would be difficult which meant that all caravan traffic from the site could be forced into Audlem where turning would be just as difficult and additional traffic problems would result.

Questions were raised about why there should be such a large amenity block for a relatively small number of caravans. Councillors also felt a lack of control on an unmanned site could lead to a complete nightmare for residents.

Parish councillors voted unanimously to oppose the site and it was hoped that Borough Councillor Rachel Bailey would take the strongly expressed views of the Parish Councillors and local residents back to Cheshire East Council's planners.

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