THE 'springing up' of more new static holiday home ‘chalets’ at a city caravan park has sparked concerns about the extent of the development.
Six of the large static homes now occupy the hardstanding plots at the Ketch Caravan Park just off the A38 Bath Road in Worcester as work continues on an expanding development.
The first chalet-type static homes were put up on the Ketch Caravan Park off the A38 Bath Road in Worcester less than a year after the former ‘residents’ were given their marching orders.
Although the caravan site has never provided an official statement or responded to previous enquiries, it is understood that because there is no change of use, the new development does not need planning permission.
There are now several plots of hardstanding which have been installed over the last few months to accommodate many more, similar structures following the controversial decision to ask previous holiday mobile home owners to leave.
John Renshaw, chairman of St Peter’s Parish Council, said he had been led to believe the development was a ‘like for like replacement’ of what had existed before and there was ‘no need to go through the usual planning process.’
He added: “What has sprung up in the meantime has given us some concern. It appears a number of trees have been removed. We can’t say for definite but it does look like a more extensive development than the old one was.
"The city council is looking into this. We’re in a position of waiting to see what they come back with. We are a bit in the dark at the moment but hopefully there will be some light shed before too much longer. I’m keen to learn more about this development.”
Previous holidaymakers called the decision 'the end of an era', among them John Powell, then 77, and Judy Powell, then aged 74.
They had to sell their original static caravan for scrap, getting £500 for it which the family described as 'better than nothing'.
The eviction notice upset their disabled daughter, Sarah Powell, then 54, who loved it at the Ketch.
We reported in April last year how a letter from Ross Byrne of Isle of Man-based Tremlo Limited, was sent to former residents, headed 'termination of licence agreement'.
The Worcester News has been told by residents there were about 60 caravans on the site, overlooking the river Severn, including statics and touring caravans We have called a number on the gates of the Ketch Caravan Park but did not receive any response.
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Previous enquiries have also met with no response.
A spokesperson for Worcester City Council said: "“The city council is aware of the work taking place at the Ketch caravan park and, on the basis of our investigations to date, we are satisfied that it is being carried out in accordance within the permitted development rights for caravan sites.
"These allow a certain amount of development to be carried out without planning permission, where it is a requirement of the conditions of a site licence. The council will continue to monitor the site and is actively investigating the recent removal of some trees.”
An application to prune conifers and reduce the height by two metres and fell eight Leyland Cypress trees was approved on August 15.
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