Bridgend Council’s Planning Committee has approved plans to convert an existing campaign and touring caravan site in Porthcawl into a static caravan park (pdf).
The proposed site (Rooklands Leisure Park) is located on a triangle-shaped field between Pyle Road and Marlpit Lane to the east of Nottage.
The plans include 37 static caravans alongside a service/reception building. The park would be accessed from a new junction on the A4229.
While there were no objections from Porthcawl Town Council and other statutory consultees, Cllr. Norah Clarke (Ind, Nottage) objected on several grounds.
These grounds included the shift from mobile to static caravan pitches in the town, subsequently reducing the diversity of available accommodation. Also, there are road safety issues around the A4229 – particularly the lack of pedestrian facilities so that visitors can take the shortest route on foot to Nottage.
During the meeting, a planning officer told councillors that a full tourism assessment was undertaken, with the park deemed to be viable.
The officer added that while it would be regrettable that Porthcawl would lose a touring caravan and camping site, the town would be gaining year-round tourist accommodation.
Covenant on the land “a land law issue, not a planning issue”
One complicating factor is a restrictive covenant on the land, which was raised by residents who objected to the plans.
The council’s report said such a covenant “is not a material planning consideration”.
However, Cllr. Johanna Llewellyn-Hopkins (Lab, Brackla West) told the chamber that even if planning permission was granted, the covenant could still prevent any work from taking place and such covenants were difficult to remove.
Officers agreed with the councillor, though the decision to grant planning permission was entirely separate from the covenant and land law.
The application was approved unanimously.
