by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
A DECISION on Haven’s £20million expansion of its Weymouth Bay site at Preston for 240 extra caravans had been dramatically deferred.
The change of tack came after a lengthy debate during which residents living next to the site complained that their lives would be made worse by the proposals.
Beaminster councillor Craig Monks (Con), a caravan owner elsewhere, proposed deferring the debate so that the committee could look at the site, in particular the area adjacent to Forehill Close where one resident had claimed his family would become ‘hemmed in’ by caravans if the expansion proposal is allowed.
The Close already has a pedestrian access to the massive site.
Resident Mr Geoffrey Skinner told councillors that the outlook from his property would significantly change for the worse, telling councillors about noise, smells and even drugs from the site – claiming that the nearest caravan would be just 17metres away from his property : “Put yourself in our shoes. We have to live with this for the rest of our lives,” he said.
Others spoke of wildlife, including deer, coming into their gardens – saying this was unlikely to happen once the caravans were there, with others expressing concerns about additional traffic, up to 400 vehicles a day, and adding to the local flooding risk and sewage into the sea.
Until Cllr Monks intervention, which was supported by Wyke Labour’s Cllr Kate Wheller and Preston ward councillor Louie O’Leary, the committee had been about to vote on an officer recommendation to approve the plans.
Haven claim it will bring almost a hundred extra jobs and enhance the biodiversity of the area through the development.
It will also move caravans and decking closer to the sea – although the company say it will add extra wildflower meadows, plant 4,000 new trees and enhance ‘wildlife corridors.’ Much of the environmental work will be completed two years before the new holiday homes are brought to the Preston Road site.
Darker colours will be chosen for the new caravan to make them appear less intrusive with the company also creating several permissive public footpaths which would encourage people to keep to the paths rather than wander, at random, over an area designated as a Special Area of Conservation.
The proposals allow for the removal of an existing telecoms’ mast from the site and the re-location of five existing caravans.
Councillors were told by a planning officer that in year one of the development the new caravans would be ‘highly intrusive’ in the landscape but within a few years would be masked by the extra trees and other landscaping, and by year 15 would have largely blended into the surroundings.
Dozens had written to express concerns about the impact on the landscape from the proposals – with several concerned about extra traffic and queuing to get in and out of the site.
Councillors heard that Haven is offering an improved bus stop just outside the site and to find space for Beryl Bikes with improvements to pedestrian paths including to Forehill Close where extra planting is also proposed.
Andy Bell, general manager at Weymouth Bay and Seaview, said the company’s three parks employed over 800 people and the business was ‘woven into the fabric’ of the area.
“I know that any proposal of this scale naturally brings questions. That is understandable, people care passionately about where they live and they want to protect it. I too share that passion.”
He said the company’s investments, of almost £20m, would bring significant benefits to the area and generate millions of pounds of extra visitor spending for local cafes, visitor attractions and pubs.
“This proposal is about Weymouth continuing to thrive as one of Dorset’s premier seaside destinations and it’s about investing responsibly in Weymouth’s future,” he said.
Cllr Louie O’Leary said he worried about the proposals effect on homes in and around Forehill Close.
“This is too large an expansion, it will fundamentally change the character of Preston. It will change Preston from an area with a caravan park, to a caravan park with a residential area,” he said.
Fellow ward councillor Peter Dickenson said the focus on the reports to the committee had been based on the applicant’s point of view, untested, including their financial projections.
