Plans to build 100 caravans at Eden Golf Club have been approved by planning councillors amid concerns it would essentially be a new village.
An application for planning permission submitted by the club approved by Carlisle City Council’s planning panel, despite public dissent and a bid to have it deferred.
Stanwix Rural Parish Council raised a number of concerns including whether the units are really caravans, or lodges.
It said it believed the scale of the development posed a number of issues as it had no public transport links or footpaths from Low Crosby to the golf club.
But the city council’s development manager Christopher Hardman recommended the plans for approval with conditions.
He said: “These are mobile units and its for the change of use of the land to site these on the land. So I take on board the issue of confusion with the parish council and the clarification that is required because under the caravan site licensing requirements they are very specific about what constitutes a caravan.”
Chairman of Stanwix Rural Parish Council Craig Nicholson said: “Members will remember the site is very elevated and the views from it are quite panoramic.
“Anything that’s put on that ridge will be visible from a long way off for a long time. The actual site area is about the same size as the entire village of Low Crosby. This isn’t a small site it is a very big area.”
Councillor Nicholson added that the site is home to wildlife considered of significance by the RSPB.
Cllr Nicholson disagreed that the units could be considered caravans. “They have to be movable as that one complete unit.”
City councillors shared the parish council’s concerns.
Independent councillor Raymond Tinnion said: “I believe, we should have this deferred until we’ve got information.
“I’m not happy about the size of the proposal… you’re talking about a mini village which is not actually on the Local Plan, it’s in a farmer’s field. I’ve got problems about access for the 100 vehicles at least that are going to go into there.”
Conservative councillor Nigel Christian said: “In terms of surface water run-off, I appreciate details would be agreed at a later date, but in terms of planning, we seem to be relying upon a statement or drawings which are very light in detail.”
Cllr Tinnion’s proposal to defer the application for consideration at a later date did not have enough support so councillors voted on whether to greenlight the plans, and the the council approved the plans, nine in favour, two against with one abstention.
Rachel Lightfoot, agent for the developer said: “This application has been discussed with officers over a number of years in order to support the ongoing financial viability of the golf club which is considered an important community facility to many of its members.
“As has been clearly stated a number of times, all units will be caravans. Given the location it is considered appropriate that they be cladded timber but this does not have any impact on meeting the definition of caravan.
“The application has been made in an acceptable and appropriate manner.”
