Haddiscoe Barham Leisure lose appeal with Broads Authority

Barham Leisure Ltd, which operates the Pampas Lodge site in Haddiscoe, near Beccles, hoped to remove a condition that restricts the use of its static caravans for holidays only.

But the bid was met with strong backlash from locals, who complained it would lead to too much traffic and that it would be a further burden on the limited services in the small village.

The holiday park in Haddiscoe (Image: Google)

The Broads Authority (BA) received several letters of objections, with people also worrying about the flood risk to people living in the caravans.

It led the BA to decide to refuse the application due to the site being unsuitable and that the plans would "result in the loss of holiday accommodation" within the Broads network which would damage local tourism. 

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Haddiscoe Marshes near the caravan site (Image: Nick Butcher)However, the applicant argued that the change in use of the statics would "provide significant economic and social benefits" as the people living in the "permanently occupied" caravans will spend and work locally.

However, the owners of the holiday park called for a rethink and appealed to the Planning Inspectorate to overturn the decision.

Diane Barham, one of the owners, said that demand for its caravans as holiday homes had fallen to "almost zero", leaving them struggling amid a "declining tourist trade".

Deer grazing in a snow-covered field between Haddiscoe and St Olaves. (Image: Nick Butcher)They say: "There is no time restriction on how long the static caravans can be
occupied. 

Speaking about the flood risk, she said that they already had permission for people to use the caravans as holiday homes 365 days a year. She argued this meant that changing the use of the properties to a permanent residence would not increase the risk of flooding as it was already there.

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However, the inspector sided with the BA and villagers, ruling that it was not a suitable location for a residential development due to "poor access to services and facilities".

In addition, they worried people would be in danger of being flooded, putting future homes at "unacceptable risk".

They also agreed that it could harm the local tourist economy.

Glorious sunset over Haddiscoe taken by Tracey Willis (Image: Tracey Willis)Aerial shot of Haddiscoe during the 2013 floods (Image: Mike Page)Pampas Lodge Holiday Park in Haddicose has had plans to change the use of its site refused (Image: Newsquest)