Park expansion plan rejected by council

A holiday park in the heart of Wyre Forest has seen its expansion project blocked by council planners amid road safety fears.

Little Lakes in Bewdley wanted to add 20 touring caravan pitches to the site which already has static caravans, chalets and holiday homes. But officers at Wyre Forest District Council have refused planning permission due to concerns it could cause tailbacks near the site at Lye Head. Bosses at the park are now considering their options.

Planning officers said they believed the access road, off the A456, was too narrow for the increase in traffic generated by people using the caravan pitches.

A report by planning officer Emma Anning says: "The application will result in an increase of slow moving vehicles onto the surrounding road network that are not as manoeuverable. There is a narrow length of road approaching from the A456 before the site access that does not offer sufficient space for two vehicles to pass and this would result in vehicles with trailers reversing in narrow lanes.

It continued: "It is therefore considered that this application will have a detrimental impact to highway safety on the A456 and create disruption on the access road."

The plans submitted by the park also included a shower and toilet block for visitor using the caravan pitches. Park director Nick Fernihough said: "We have only just received the paperwork so we are going to consider our next step."

Little Lakes Holiday Park was established in 1961, the brainchild of the late Peter Fernihough, and is still owned by his family today.

It is hidden away in wooded countryside between the Wyre Forest and the west bank of the River Severn.