Mixed response for Tealby lodge plans

Sunnyside Up, at Poplar Farm, already has permission to site 15 lodges at its Tealby Road site, with one currently in place.

A pond area has also been created, which has attracted a wide range of wildlife.

Now, owner John Casswell has submitted further plans to West Lindsey District Council for 50 lodges on an adjacent field, together with a recreation pond featuring 20 fishing pegs.

In a series of comments on WLDC’s on line planning portal, several people support Mr Casswell, suggesting it will provide an economic boost for the Rasen area.

However,there is also opposition, not least from Walesby Parish Council who say they are concerned about several factors -- including increased traffic and noise.

The application states the development would ‘promote rural tourism’, as well as ‘underpinning’ the existing facilities on the site and helping with their ‘future sustainability and that of the surrounding area’.

Sunnyside Up has operated as a farm shop and coffee shop for more than 15 years and is popular with cyclists and walkers. The application has attracted almost 50 online comments through West Lindsey District Council’s planning portal.

One regular visitor to Sunnyside up was among a number of people supporting the application, saying it would boost tourism and jobs.

The person - who was not named - said: “Not only has the Farmshop developed onto another level, the money spent on the exterior is highly commendable.

“The first log cabin is on site and I must say how beautiful this is.

“The lake is attracting a large amount of wildlife and once the applicant has planted hundreds of trees, which is a planning condition, the landscape will look a lovely picture - even more so than it does now.”

In direct contrast, other comments reveal concerns over increased traffic, litter and the environment.

One comment went as far as saying the development would ‘ruin spectacular views from all directions with a sea of fake wooden lodges’.

Walesby Parish Council has also objected to the proposal, saying it is ‘totally unacceptable’ in the AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

Their comment on the planning portal continued: “The whole proposed project will have a serious impact on wildlife habitat and biodiversity, noise, highway issues and the character of the site through inadequate landscaping.”

There’s no indication yet as to when a final decision will be made by WLDC.

• Full details of the plan can be found at planning.west-lindsey.gov.uk and search for application number 140707.