Villagers fight caravan park plan

Dozens of objections have been lodged with Leeds Council over plans for a touring caravan site at a picnic area known as Mount Pleasant Copse, off the A642 Wakefield Road at Swillington.

Applicant Simon Wood, of Kippax, wants to create a caravan park with an enlarged access area, shower and toilet block, shop, manager's house and warden's house.

The woodland and picnic site is located at the junction of Whithouse Lane and the A642.

Since the plans were submitted, councillors say they have been "inundated" with calls from concerned residents.

People from nearby Allerton Bywater have also contacted their local councillor James Lewis to raise their concerns about the potential for increased traffic through their village if the proposal were to be granted.

Councillor Mark Dobson said: "I have been completely taken by surprise by the scale of the public reaction to this application. I personally do not think the application is advisable as I have concerns over the location, but if the public were in favour then I would support their view.

"I believe that as local councillors our job is to represent the views of the people who elected us and in this instance it is abundantly clear that the people of Swillington and Great and Little Preston absolutely do not want this application to be given the go-ahead."

Coun Dobson said some residents wrongly believed that the site would become a gypsy or traveller encampment.

"I do feel that I should just clarify one point, the rumour has been circulated that the site will be used by travellers.

"I have spoken to the applicant and I can reassure people that this is not the case.

"I did want to take the opportunity to set the record straight but I remain unconvinced by the project and will continue to work for residents to resolve the matter."

Kippax and Methley Councillor James Lewis said: "I have been contacted by many local people who are worried about the impact of increased traffic on what is widely perceived to be an already dangerous junction.

"I believe that this is entirely the wrong location for a caravan park and have serious reservations about the actual accessibility of the site itself."

Resident Anne Murphy, who is vice chairman of Swillington Parish Council, said: "This caravan park is not wanted by the people of Swillington. We don't want the local roads choked up by caravans and we don't want to lose our green space.

"I really hope that the council listen to the strength of public opinion and turn this application down."

In a statement submitted to the council, applicant Simon Wood says the intention is to develop a quality, family-run site for "the camping community".

He adds: "Leeds will be promoted as the excellent tourist destination that many have yet to discover."

Large numbers of residents have written to the council urging rejection of the scheme.

One letter writer, Kevin Butler, of Great Preston, said: "I would like to object in the strongest possible terms...the plan would lead to a loss of woodland habitat, an increase in traffic at an already difficult and dangerous junction." It would be a blight on the landscape, he added.

And Vikki Kilburn, of Allerton Bywater, wrote: "This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard...it is a beautiful site and does not need to be spoiled by caravans."