East Yorkshire MP opposes expansion of caravan site on Flamborough Head

Flower of May is applying to nearly double the number of caravans on its site on Lighthouse Road, Flamborough, by adding another 201 pitches.

Earlier this year the operator withdrew plans for 300 caravans on land close to the two historic lighthouses in a move which sparked nearly 400 objections.

Sir Greg said it was all “a question of scale”, and such large proposals should not be allowed at Flamborough, one of 32 Heritage Coasts in England.

He said: "We can promote tourism without desecration. Quite simply this application is too large a proposal and is in the wrong place.

"It may well be appropriate further south down the coastline - but not at Flamborough."

More than 200 people have objected so far, as has the government's conservation watchdog.

Natural England say the plans are contrary to Heritage Coast objectives and "inconsistent with the special character of the area."

Flower of May claims creating a wetland nature reserve as part of the plans will increase biodiversity.

But Natural England said the area, known as North Cliff Marsh, had already had habitat restoration carried out by other parties and already provided foraging for overwintering birds.

It was "unclear what value will be added by the current proposal mitigation measures".

Natural England is advising that planning permission is not given at this stage and says an assessment needs to take place which will take account not just Flower of May's proposal but pressures from other developments.

Martin Naylor, vice-chairman of Flamborough Residents Association, welcomed Natural England's objection, saying: "I think it is very positive, it is a very strong objection and very much in line with what Flamborough Residents' Association think.

"The main thing really is the encroachment onto natural beauty.

"People come here to look at the natural beauty and all we do by keeping on allowing planning applications is killing the very thing people come to look at.

"If we are not careful we are leaving nothing to our grand-children and great-grandchildren and we will regret it."

The entire headland - including the villages of Flamborough and Bempton - fall within the Heritage Coast.

Around a quarter of all caravan spaces in the East Riding, touring and static, are on the headland.

In their submission, agents for Flower of May say the site, which currently has 228 static caravans, already supports 74 jobs and the extension could add another 55.

They say there is already an existing consent for 61 of the 201 extra caravans.

Flower of May was approached for a comment.