Green light for caravan park scheme

THE Beachcomber Holiday Park could be set for a longer holiday season on parts of its site.

Members of North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee yesterday backed proposals to allow the Humberston venue to rent out its static caravans in the north west corner of the park during the winter months.

A report by council officers concluded that extending the opening season into the winter would increase the risk to occupants of flooding.

However, the planning committee voted eight to three in favour of approving the application, with three conditions:

Beachcomber senior sales consultant Dawn Taylor celebrates the extension of the Blackbird site at the Humberston Holiday Park

For the two caravans in flood zone three (high probability) to be excluded from the extension. The rest of the site is in flood zone one (low probability).

For an emergency pedestrian access route to be installed to the west of the main gate.

For an emergency plan to be produced in the event of flooding.

But before the committee can make a final decision, the amended application must be given the all-clear by the Environment Agency.

And if the proposal is passed it means the Beachcomber will be able to rent out static caravans on the blackbird site, which houses 64 caravans, from March 1 to January 6 each year.

Currently the opening season runs from March 15 to October 7.

The Beachcomber has had previous applications to have the opening season extended from March 1 to January 1 for its entire 500-caravan site turned down, in May 2007 and January 2008.

Martin Varley, managing director of Riverhead Commercial Services, which owns the Beachcomber, said: "It will be a big boost to our customers because they will be able to get more benefit from the investment they have made in their caravans.

"And from our point of view, it's more revenue because people are there for longer. We have got the entertainment centre, which is open all year and we need people to be using it.

"We feel as if we've been banging our heads against a brick wall for the last couple of years, so it's nice to see support from our local councillors."

Coun John Colebrook (Con, Humberston and New Waltham) said: "We need tourism, especially in a recession. To get flooding over the sea wall, would, I think, be improbable."

Coun Doug Pickett (Lib Dem, South) said: "As long as the people know there's a possibility that they are going to get flooded, I can't see a problem."

Coun Mike Burnett (Lab, Croft Baker) said: "We must try where we can to extend the holiday season."