Caravan site in Harbury to stay open to bring economic benefits to village

The approved scheme for Churchlands Caravan Site will also see landscaping incorporated into the park and a footpath built linking the 51 pitches to the village centre.

Officers at Stratford District Council’s planning committee this week [WED] had called for the application to be refused even though the site was already widely used and had the backing of residents and businesses in the neighbourhood.

Planner Erin Weatherstone explained: “The development is considered to introduce a number of benefits including economic benefits to the settlement and surrounding areas by supporting the local economy, environment benefits in the form of increased planting, increased choice for alternative modes of transport and improved access for visitors and residents of Harbury through the creation of a new footway and provide choice for tourist accommodation within the district.

“The development, however, would create a large scale tourist accommodation site within the countryside and a site for accommodation for contractors working within the locality which is not considered to be fully justified or relate to an existing tourist attraction.”

She went on to say that the site would go against planning policies and that the benefits would not outweigh the harm.

But members of the planning committee heard there was widespread support with a member of Harbury Parish Council saying village businesses benefitted and the new footpath would be used by those working on the neighbouring trading estate as well as those using the caravan site both of which were on Ufton Road.

Cllr Jacqui Harris (Con, Harbury) added her support. She said: “Just bear in mind the current climate we are in around jobs and the creation of jobs - it has been a difficult three or four months for businesses and this would help the local economy.

“I have had no objections, just overwhelming support on so many levels.”

Cllr Anne Parry (Con, Wellesbourne) added: “There are no concerns by residents, indeed it has the full support of the parish council and full support from the residents - which is a pretty rare thing for a caravan site.

“I do think it is a way of interpretation and I'm inclined to go against the officer’s recommendation and support this. I understand where officers are coming from on a pure policy perspective but we are not operating in the real world at the moment and I think we should be doing everything we can to support rural businesses.”

The plans were approved by five votes to two.