Extension to caravan park will turn ‘dumping ground’ into thriving business, say councillors

The Watermill Farm Leisure Park in Moortown, near Market Rasen, faced opposition from local residents on its plans for 90 extra pitches.

Moortown Parish Council had objected that the site in Station Road had already grown too large, and the existing 240 pitches put pressure on local GPs and services.

The plans were given permission by West Lindsey District Council’s planning committee on Wednesday (January 7).

Joint owner and director Ben Caplan told the committee: “When we purchased the land in 2020, this area was a pretty rundown place, with people living illegally in rusty touring caravans.

“It’s now a 55 acre five-star owners’ park.”

He said that it now prohibited touring caravans, meaning traffic levels had “dramatically improved”, and officials had listened to other concerns from locals.

He also claimed there had been frequent problems with safety fencing being torn down and signs disappearing, which he believed was due to tensions with residents.

Councillor Peter Morris, who represents the area, said the park was well run, but expressed worries that the size of this site was becoming a problem.

“This is one of the most rural wards in West Lindsey, with no retail shops, no industry, and four pubs. There is a limit to what we can absorb,” he told the committee.

He added that residents “don’t want to be overwhelmed by people fleeing the city for the Lincolnshire countryside”.

No representative from the parish council spoke at the meeting.

The committee voted unanimously to support the application, with Councillor Adam Duguid saying: “I understand there is local rumbling about this.

“However, I can’t think of any planning reason not to support this. The presumption is to support businesses which are expanding.”

Councillor Matt Boles said: “It sounds like it will turn a dumping ground into a business supporting the local economy.”