Post by Madhatter on Jan 5, 2011 12:20:04 GMT
Heart of England loses planning appeal
Published Tuesday 4th January 11
Heart Park beach breaches planning laws
After a three day planning hearing, planning permission has been refused for the retention of an inland beach at Heart Park, The Heart of England, Meriden Road, Fillongley.
Planning permission was originally granted for a new lake and wetland area.However, when the lake was constructed, the site owner included a large beach, and the site was operated as a theme park attraction. Planning permission was refused to retain the beach and Heart of England Promotions Ltd then lodged appeals with the Secretary of State against the Council's decision.
A number of appeals were considered at the Hearing - the retention of the beach, sandstone rockery and shop building, the continued use of an access onto Meriden Road and its improvement, the importation of more material to fill in a hollow that had been created and the retention of a lighthouse located on the lake island. All of these appeals were refused.
The Inspector found that a sandy beach in the centre of England, far from the nearest coast, is a major attraction that brings with it capacity and management problems, including highway safety problems, harm from car parking and clutter which causes unacceptable harm to the rural landscape. He concluded that the beach attraction could not be accommodated without harming the countryside. He also found that a separate access onto Meriden Road harm the landscape, that there was no proven need to import 10,000 cubic metres of material and that the lighthouse structure was incongruous and harmful to the landscape.
A further appeal which sought to use the site on Sundays was allowed.
The Council has served Notices requiring the removal of the beach and that the use of woodland at the site for paintball and motor sports should stop. A separate appeal hearing relating to these Notices will take place in March 2011.
Councillor Mark Simpson, Chair of the Planning and Development Board said:
"I welcome the decision, it represents fair play and common sense. Mr Hammon has broken the rules, and the Planning Inspector has said that he must abide by the same regulations as everyone else. The council has always tried to have an open dialogue with Mr Hammon and his agents, and are happy to talk to him whenever he is available".
www.northwarks.gov.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=1303
Published Tuesday 4th January 11
Heart Park beach breaches planning laws
After a three day planning hearing, planning permission has been refused for the retention of an inland beach at Heart Park, The Heart of England, Meriden Road, Fillongley.
Planning permission was originally granted for a new lake and wetland area.However, when the lake was constructed, the site owner included a large beach, and the site was operated as a theme park attraction. Planning permission was refused to retain the beach and Heart of England Promotions Ltd then lodged appeals with the Secretary of State against the Council's decision.
A number of appeals were considered at the Hearing - the retention of the beach, sandstone rockery and shop building, the continued use of an access onto Meriden Road and its improvement, the importation of more material to fill in a hollow that had been created and the retention of a lighthouse located on the lake island. All of these appeals were refused.
The Inspector found that a sandy beach in the centre of England, far from the nearest coast, is a major attraction that brings with it capacity and management problems, including highway safety problems, harm from car parking and clutter which causes unacceptable harm to the rural landscape. He concluded that the beach attraction could not be accommodated without harming the countryside. He also found that a separate access onto Meriden Road harm the landscape, that there was no proven need to import 10,000 cubic metres of material and that the lighthouse structure was incongruous and harmful to the landscape.
A further appeal which sought to use the site on Sundays was allowed.
The Council has served Notices requiring the removal of the beach and that the use of woodland at the site for paintball and motor sports should stop. A separate appeal hearing relating to these Notices will take place in March 2011.
Councillor Mark Simpson, Chair of the Planning and Development Board said:
"I welcome the decision, it represents fair play and common sense. Mr Hammon has broken the rules, and the Planning Inspector has said that he must abide by the same regulations as everyone else. The council has always tried to have an open dialogue with Mr Hammon and his agents, and are happy to talk to him whenever he is available".
www.northwarks.gov.uk/site/scripts/news_article.php?newsID=1303
