Farmers’ bid to build caravan park and shop beside lakes is refused

PLANS for a new caravan park and farm shop next to three “very pleasant” lakes have been turned down and labelled inappropriate by council officials.

Cattle breeder Worldsupreme wanted to set up plots for 50 touring caravans, a farm shop or restaurant, and a fishing tackle shop at Clearwater Lakes Fishery in the small village of Mattersey, north of Retford. Planning documents state the farmers would use these new facilities, as well as some alreadyapproved holiday lodges, to bring more visitors to the lakes, which attract 8,800 anglers every year. This revenue was needed to protect their business against shortages of livestock labour, the impact of higher costs and lower food prices, and the future effects of Brexit, they said.

Architects MDB Planning, on behalf of Worldsupreme, said: “The development of accommodation and visitor facilities at the fishing lakes would provide an opportunity to secure a stable source of long-term revenue to support the wider agricultural operations, and also to further enhance the fishing lakes as a tourist and recreational facility in the local area.” The planning agent claimed the project would further enhance what it described as an attractive recreational facility for locals and visitors from further afield. The holiday lodges and proposed touring caravans would allow people to stay for longer periods with their friends and families, the representative claimed.

At the end of April, more than a year after the plans had first been submitted, Bassetlaw District Council refused planning permission for the project. Council planning officers said that while rural businesses would be supported if there is a proven need for development, the applicant had not demonstrated why the farm shop, restaurant and café were needed or that the facilities were economically viable in the long term.