Lodges rejected by planners, but negative comments made against family business have caused more upset

However, what has angered him more has been the adverse comments made against the farm shop business already on the site.

Poplar Farm, on the Market Rasen to Tealby road, is owned by John Casswell.

Last year, permission was granted for a pond and the siting of 15 luxury lodges.

The current application was for an additional 50 lodges in a neighbouring field, which was rejected by eight votes to six at last week’s planning committee meeting, despite being recommended for approval by the planning officer.

The proposed development had received a mixed reaction from residents in Tealby and Market Rasen, but Mr Casswell says there have also been negative comments made about the business, Sunnyside Up, run by his wife Sonia and daughter Kelly.

He continued: “This is a separate business to my development - they are two different entities.

“I put in the application as the landowner, but it is Sunnyside that has taken the hit.”

Like all businesses over the past few months, Sunnyside has been working hard to keep the business going within government guidelines and the latest comments being made about the business are very upsetting.

He said: We feel we are being victimised.

“The most upsetting thing is comments that we are not selling local produce.

“These are false comments. We support many local producers and we have the evidence to prove it.

“We always have signs up in the butchers showing where the meat has come from - all Lincolnshire farmers.

“We source other products as near to home as possible, so we are not only supporting local producers, we are also thinking about the effect of transport on the environment.”

And it is the environment that is something all the Casswell family say they are keen to improve.

The creation of the lake has proved to be very popular, especially during lockdown, and is used daily by people to enjoy their refreshments.

The lake has also become a haven for wildlife.

Mr Casswell said: “This is something that is very important to me.

“I was inspired by Sir Peter’s Scott book and, like him, I want to give something back.

“Everything I have done here has been to help - whether that has been creating a ditch on my land to stop the main road flooding or uncovering a grassed-over track to help the girls from Anglian Water who come to monitor the reservoir.

“I won’t use concrete, which means everything can be put back if needed.

“I am committed to getting the 15 lodges in place around the lake. This would have been done by now, but has been delayed because of Covid-19.

“I will also be appealing against the decision for the 50-lodge plan.

“Under the guidelines, I could have got 233 lodges on there, as they only have to be six metres apart.

“I didn’t want to do that; I didn’t want them to be crammed in.

“I had a five year plan. I want to invest in this area and help build the local economy - I don’t want to take my money away.

“It is a business for my family - it is their future.”

While the appeal is being lodged, Mr Casswell will also be looking to submit revised plans for the field this week, which would see the number of lodges on the site reduced to 27.