Skegness caravan site to expand into former golf course

Plans to convert part of a former golf course near Skegness to a caravan and fishing site are set to be approved next week, despite concerns from ward and parish councillors.

East Lindsey District Council will examine on Thursday the application from Elms Leisure Park owner Darren Cragg to expand his existing business onto the former Addlethorpe Golf Course on Orby Road.

If approved, the development will include a new access path, including a bridge, for 56 static holiday caravans alongside five fishing ponds, a new nature trail, woodland and wildflower areas.

The application has been called in by Councillor Colin Davie and has received strong objections from the parish council.

A report before councillors said: “Addlethorpe Parish Council object to this application along with the other application for a caravan site on the golf course due to the cumulative impact these will have on the village.”

They said the development would be “overbearing” and “unsustainable” and that the village already faces applications totalling nearly 600 caravans. They add the population is already outnumbered 7 to 1 and say health services are “saturated”.

There is further concern around road and traffic infrastructure.

“[We are] also concerned that Addlethorpe village is losing its character as it becomes swamped by caravans, and so residents are starting to move away from the village, so increasing the unsustainability of these applications,” said the report.

However, the application has only received one letter of objection from an East Lindsey resident.

An image showing the proposed layout the Elms owners would like approved.

Officers said while the concerns were noted: “the proposals comply with local and national planning policies and would not result in any undue or significant adverse effects on the area or its character.”

They are recommending members approve the proposals.

A design and access statement submitted to the authority said the new build would enable the company to compete “in a fierce market”.

“These proposals provide a clear benefit in economic terms and will boost the level of tourism in this area,” they said.

“Visitors to the site will utilise local facilities within the village and along the coast in general and will therefore contribute to the local economy both through direct and indirect spending.”

Read the agenda in full here.

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