PLANS for a new glamping and mobile caravan site at Burn Park, in Stratton, has been met with concerns by Bude-Stratton Town Council, writes Rosie Cripps.

Burn Park Country Club is a popular holiday facility for visitors and local people alike. Owned by Seasons Holidays Plc, an application has been submitted to install 27 holiday lodge mobile caravans, 25 ‘glamping’ tents and an associated shower and toilet block.

This application (PA16/11114) was discussed at the recent Bude-Stratton planning committee meeting, chaired by Cllr Lee Bartrop, on Thursday, February 2.

Cllr Lea Deely was obliged to leave the room during this discussion, as a member of the nearby golf course, of which is objecting on the grounds of overlooking and privacy concerns.

One of the first issues that was mentioned was the road and junction in the area. According to Cllr Brian Dixon, highways have made no comment on the application, and that ‘all statutory bodies have agreed that the application is ok, as long as it keeps within the rules’.

Cllr Bob Willingham added: “The junction there has always been a problem anyway, and I do think more traffic will be created.”

Cllr Bartrop responded, saying: “Is this enough for us to have a concern?”

He reminded councillors of the Cornwall Local Plan. He said: “The policy in the local plan states that councils should support the increase in the provision of holiday accommodation. Bude has many different types of provision — we’ve got B&Bs, we’ve got hotels and campsites, so there is quite a lot.

“In terms of the location, it’s within walking distance to the town and the beaches. The question we have to consider is, do we want the land to stay as fields?”

Cllr Willingham brought up the idea that noise would be an issue to neighbouring properties, as the site borders a local estate. In response to this, Cllr Bartrop said that ‘if you live in a town, there’s going to be noise’.

Cllr Willingham said: “My concerns are the noise and access to the site, and I’m not comfortable with it for these reasons.

“If I lived on that edge and had to listen to a new set of people every week at the bottom of the garden, I wouldn’t be too happy.”

In terms of the proposal being in keeping with the surrounding area, Cllr Bartrop told the meeting: “How the whole thing looks from the distance is also something we should consider here, which is just settlements and fields. Can we agree that it ruins the view? I don’t think we can, really.

“If we feel really strongly about keeping a few open fields — that aren’t really doing much, a couple of horses maybe — are they significant?

“All space is designed and shaped by man. It’s all man-made; none of it is natural — everything is made by man. Through design, you can make something from it.”

Cllr Willingham continued: “I’m unhappy that the change of use has not been mentioned. If I was a neighbour, I’d be unhappy with the people coming all the time, especially during the six weeks in the summer holidays, and I also think that increased traffic would be an issue.”

Cllr Willingham then put forward a proposal for objection, on the grounds of loss of green space and noise concern for neighbouring properties. However, Cllr Bartrop suggested that the council should have no objections to the application, but state that they have concerns about the noise.

He added that the main thing to consider is how the site would have an effect on the community, and that the application seems ‘reasonable’ at the moment, potentially producing more jobs for people in the area.

The committee came to the conclusion that they have concerns for the noise levels and would like to see some planting, as well as consideration for potential noise disturbance to the neighbouring properties.

Councillors voted in favour of the proposal to raise no objection to the plan.

The final decision is expected to be made by Cornwall Council plans committee.