New holiday park would be ‘catastrophic’ for village, residents claim
Residents in Ashley are concerned about plans for a new holiday park on the outskirts of the village Picture: GOOGLE MAPS - Credit: Archant
Neighbours have fiercely opposed plans for a new holiday park near their village, claiming it would have a “catastrophic impact”.
Proposals for a timber lodge holiday park for up to 50 caravan plots on nine acres of land just outside Ashley, near Newmarket, have currently been met with more than 100 objections.
Among the concerns of villagers are issues with road access, noise and light pollution, as well as the negative effect on wildlife in the area.
Residents also claim the development is out of character and being used as a "stepping stone" for a later residential application.
In the design and access statement of the application to East Cambridgeshire District Council, developers Lovat Parks said the lodges will be one, two, three or four bedroom units but the "choice will be determined by the respective purchasers".
The proposed development site is in Dahlam Road.
Commenting on the application, one villager said: "There is not any demand for a 'holiday park' in Ashley or any of the surrounding villages or countryside.
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"It is totally out of character with its natural surroundings and would catastrophically impact on the wildlife and access roads to and from the village.
"The narrowness of the roads and current junctions, regardless of speed limits, would increase the chance of accidents and congestion at well-known current near-miss spots."
Ashley Parish Council also strongly objected to the application, believing it to be "entirely without merit".
In a statement, the parish council said: "We do not believe there is any demand for this type or quantity of holiday accommodation in Ashley.
"Neither the village or the local vicinity has any holiday amenities. There are no theme parks, leisure parks, swimming pools (with the exception of Newmarket Leisure Centre, forests or any other amenity nearby."
Lovat Parks said it wants to create a "quality holiday lodge park to sit comfortably within the local landscape environment and to attract owners of holiday homes and holiday rentals".
The developer has been approached for comment.
East Cambridgeshire District Council is expected to make a decision before August 13.
