Ambitious new £3 million caravan site plans refused

A proposed £3 million renovation of a caravan site in Waren Mill has been refused planning permission by the local council, the Berwick Advertiser reports today (July 17th).

The scheme would have provided 58 wooden chalets and a 36-bed bunkhouse at the Budle Bay Camping and Caravan Site, plus offering year-round operation rather than the current March to October season.

But Berwick Borough Council gave the proposals the thumbs-down, despite its planning committee chairman Cllr Brian Douglas being in favour after viewing the site last month.

Cllr Douglas had said: "If it comes off, it would make a contribution to the area in terms of an all year round facility.

"I was convinced that the owners were quite prepared not to hold events such as festivals and I was quite happy to go along with the plans."

However, the decision was reached after Cllr Douglas failed to establish an agreement with planning vice-chairman Cllr Richard Patterson, who held an altogether different view, claiming he had "serious reservations" about the site.

17/07/2008 16:45:09