Revised plans for a holiday development beside the River Swale have attracted opposition from both residents and council experts.
Councillors and residents have submitted objections to a new planning application for eight cabins beside a footpath on the so-called Easby Loop, between Richmond and Easby Abbey.
A previous application submitted by Nicholas and Autumn Green, who own the St Nicholas Estate, in Richmond, was rejected by officers for various reasons, including access along a narrow track from the town.
The Green’s new application proposes an alternative access to the site via Easby High Road.
But in its objection, Easby Parish Meeting claims this road will be just as problematic.
It said: “The route is down a steep 200 metre drop and to reduce the gradient, it will need to be lengthened with hairpin bends to make it safe just for cars, let alone heavy utility vehicles.”
The submission adds: “The applicant responds to ‘concerns’ about preservation and enhancement of the two conservation areas with a meaningless word melange including the miraculous claim that the site has become ‘car-free’ beyond the parking area.
“Does the applicant truly believe guests will unload their cars and drag their luggage, their children, grandma in a wheelchair and all the necessities for self-catering from the car park to their caravan? People are lazy. They will park next to their caravan – especially during inclement weather.”
Richmond Town Council has also raised concerns about the new access road increasing traffic in the area and putting pedestrians at risk.
Its response states: “The development has no positive impact for the local area.”
The plans have attracted 39 objections from local residents.
One resident states: “Although this new road/track would alleviate many of our concerns regarding safety, I note that the new proposal still suggests use of Easby low road by vehicles.
“This road has not been maintained to a sufficient standard by highways to enable anything but very light use.”
The site of the proposed cabins is near the Drummer Boy Stone which according to local legend marks the spot where a military drummer boy vanished in a tunnel between Richmond Castle and Easby Abbey.
Another resident adds: “I wish to object to this proposed development, which I feel would totally change the character of this beautiful conservation area and spoil it for the thousands of people who use the Drummer Boy footpath.”
An official objection to the scheme has come from North Yorkshire Council’s conservation department.
Sharon Kelly, principal conservation officer, concludes in her report: “The application fails to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Richmond, and Easby Conservation Areas, and consequently fails to preserve the setting and significance of Easby Abbey and its associated buildings.”
Concerns have also been raised by the council’s landscape architect.
Supporting documents submitted with the new plans say that use of the new access ensures that the Easby Loop walk remains unimpacted.
New information has also been provided to address officers’ concerns that the scheme would harm the Richmond and Easby conservation areas.
The document notes: “The relevant field is assessed as having a very small contribution to the significance of the abbey, and the access road is considered to represent a small magnitude of change.
“This assessment supports a finding of neutral impact and no harm to the Easby Conservation Area or Easby Abbey.”
The applicant has written to the council to respond to specific objections by the town council and parish meeting.
He states that there would be no hairpin bends in the access road and that the development would deliver an economic benefit to the town.
Mr Green stresses that the site would be car-free with guests required to leave their cars at the parking area.
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Perhaps the Greens could put the caravans in their garden?
Just another greedy developer trying to destroy our natural areas for profit. Turn it down .