A pop-up campsite could be opened on land earmarked for a controversial holiday park near the banks of the River Swale.
The St Nicholas Estate in Richmond has advised North Yorkshire Council of its plans to run a pop-up site on Barn Close Field, in Maison Dieu, Richmond, and at former playing fields off Easby Low Road, between Richmond and Easby Abbey.
Estate owner Nick Green seeks to use permitted development rights to operate the site between August 1 and 15 and August 18 and 31, with a maximum of 50 pitches across both fields.
A previous application to use just the Barn Close Field was rejected earlier this year because the campsite would partly be on the site of a scheduled monument, the Scot’s Dyke, which runs down the edge of the field.
A planning application to build eight holiday cabins on the former playing fields site was rejected in January for various reasons, including concerns about the access road along Easby Low Road and the impact on Richmond Conservative Area.
A revised application using an alternative access road from Easby High Road is currently being considered by the council.
On the latest pop-up campsite application, Mr Green stated: “I confirm this site is not a scheduled monument – specifically, the access point at Barn Close Field travels north of, and thereby avoids, the northern boundary of Scot’s Dyke.
“I also confirm this site is not a safety hazard area or a SSSI (site of special scientific interest), and is not within the curtilage of a listed building.”
He adds: “Both fields in the site are in flood zone one. The site will be available for tents, campervans and motorhomes, but will not be available for towed caravans.”
Access to the former playing fields site will be along Easby Low Road.
Parking will be available on site, with composting toilets provided for campers.
Waste will be collected by YorWaste using on-site refuse bins, and drinking water will be supplied from the mains.
The playing fields site is beside a popular walking route between Richmond and Easby Abbey.
It is also 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.
Mr Green let the authority know on the 31st of July that he planned to open the site on the 1st of August. He was trying to by-pass the rules and regulations. Not an honest was to do business. Thankfully NYC issued a “Stop” notice immediately.
The people who want to ruin the area are laughing at the council, they must not be allowed to win .Profit over people is always these people’s mantra.