Floating lodges plan for Chichester caravan park withdrawn

Lakeside, which is based south east of the city, is home to a number of static and touring caravans and is run by Park Holidays UK.

Plans were submitted to Chichester District Council for eight floating holiday lodges, essentially floating caravans linked to the shoreline of Copse Lake, to the south of the existing holiday park, in the manner of a marina using jetties for pedestrian access.

A number of objections from Lakeside owners, nearby residents and visitors have been registered.

Several mention the premium they paid for plots overlooking the lake and how their views and privacy would be affected.

Others highlight the impact on the tranquillity of the area as well as on birds.

North Mundam Parish Council also lodged a strong objection, highlighting how the application site falls almost entirely within an area of common land and also formed part of a designated local wildlife site (LWS).

The planning application has now been withdrawn.

In a letter to the council, the agent for the scheme said: “Having considered the various consultee responses and noted the likely additional survey requirements indicated by Natural England and the Sussex Wildlife Trust, I am instructed by my client to withdraw this application.”

In its objection, the Sussex Wildlife Trust argued that not enough information had been provided to assess the impact of the proposal on the LWS or on the habitats and species it contains.

They said: “Whilst we cannot fully assess impacts without up to date ecological information, from the information provided SWT is particularly concerned about additional lighting, increased disturbance and potential contamination/pollution of the lakes.”

Natural England also requested more information so it could assess the impact on designated site.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.