Plans agreed to expand holiday park in 'isolated backwater' in East Yorkshire

Residents in Fitling say they are outnumbered six to one by tourism accommodation

East Riding Council’s Eastern Area Planning Sub-Committee approved plans for the expansion of Westfield Lakeland Park, in Fitling Lane, Fitling by an extra 15 caravans.

But they added a condition that a hedge be planted to screen the new lodges before their arrival and expressed concerns over whether Fitling Lane was fit for more traffic.

Gemma Edwardson, agent for park owner and applicant William Mason, told the committee the “modest expansion” would help create employment locally and safeguard the 15 jobs already on site.

She added the scale of expansion had been cut from a total of 47 new static caravans previously proposed for the site.

But Cllr John Holtby, ward member for Mid-Holderness which covers the park, said lodges on parks close to the roughly 40 home hamlet outnumbered residents by about six to one.

Committee member Cllr David Tucker backed the plans but said the Holderness area was already “besieged” by caravans because of its popularity as a holiday destination.

Ms Edwardson said changes to the plans including cutting the number of new caravans were done to address locals’ concerns.

The agent said: “Council officers have said the plans are now acceptable in principle.

“The applicant has owned the park since 2012 and has developed it into a high quality holiday and fishing destination.

“The site also includes a tea room which serves holidaymakers, fishers, cyclists and local people.

“We understand what objectors have said but this also has considerable local support because the park helps to support other local businesses.”

But councillors heard in a statement from a local objector that residents felt they had been “ignored” over the years while more holiday parks have been approved.

The statement read: “Local residents are objecting to ever expanding tourism developments.

“Fitling has been an isolated backwater for hundreds of years but now there’s probably six or seven times more holiday homes than residential ones.

“Residents have given up trying to object to such plans, but they believe shortcomings on the road from the park to Fitling Lane should be fixed.”

Cllr Holtby said the building of holiday parks in the area had changed an isolated part of rural Holderness into a “tourist hotspot”.

The ward councillor said: “Residents have chosen to live in Fitling for the peace and quiet that’s adversely affected by existing holiday homes.

“They feel the council isn’t taking their objections into account.”

Cllr Brian Skow, also of Mid-Holderness ward, said: “Residents in this area seem to be overwhelmed by caravan sites, and the road is quite narrow.

“But the applicant has brought the number down from 47 to 15 and I don’t see a planning reason to refuse this.”

Cllr Tucker said: “This is a difficult one, but I can’t see a reason to refuse it but I’m not saying I agree with it.

“Holderness is besieged by caravan parks, Preston and Hornsea are awash with them, people want to come and spend some down time here.”