A CONTROVERSIAL planning application by the Caravan and Camping Club for its site at Lydford was last week refused by Dartmoor National Park planners. The application was for extensions and improvements to the existing amenity block and site reception and the installation of low level lighting. But the application sparked strong opposition from the parish council and residents in Lydford. The council said the extended site and facilities would 'further overload the existing sewage system in the village, which had already been the subject of action by WDBC'. It claimed it would double the size of the village, 'generate excessive traffic' and that lighting had 'already ruined the night sky and had a detrimental impact on nearby neighbours'. Odour nuisance arising from the discharge of drainage from the site was a problem and discussions are taking place to deal with this, the planning committee was told. Sixteen letters of objection were received backing the council's concerns. Residents also claimed dog fouling would increase as the current dog walking field was to be taken over for camping/caravanning. Increased noise and disturbance, visual impact and changes to the water table were also raised. The committee heard the club was an exempt organisation under the Caravan Sites Control of Development Act 1960. It currently has permission for 90 pitches and intends to increase this to 120, for which planning permission is not officially needed. But the high level of local concern by residents and the parish council sparked by the application was sufficient to bring it before the planning committee. Colin Jarvis, DNPA principal planning officer, said the application, originally recommended for approval, was refused, the main concern being light pollution. In addition to nine low-level lighting bollards, 20 illuminated hook-up points were proposed. 'We need to go back to the Caravan and Camping Club and negotiate alterations more acceptable,' he said.
