Plans for continued use of caravan site for seasonal workers refused

Plans for the continued use of land as a caravan site and retention of an accommodation block for seasonal workers at Brook Farm, Marden, near Hereford, have been refused by members of the central area planning sub-committee at their meeting on Wednesday, November 21.

Members refused temporary planning permission due to the scale of the development and its impact on local amenities.

Accommodation presently comprises 153 caravans, 98 pods and two accommodation blocks which, at their highest, cater for 1,400 workers. There are also various recreational facilities such as a swimming pool, volley ball court, mini soccer pitch and hot tub.

The site is subject to three temporary planning permissions which expired on October 17, 2007.

Marden Parish Council opposed any permanent permission for the site, preferring a time limited permission. They also wanted to see a stipulated maximum number of workers on the site to avoid overcrowding.

Thirty letters of objection were received expressing concerns over increased traffic and noise from the site.

S&A Davies, who own the site, told members of the committee there were no alternative options in the locality for housing the workers who need to be close to the agricultural operation.