AN APPEAL to overturn the refusal of a proposed caravan site has been submitted.

Plans to use land in Stamford Way, Ewloe, to create a 30-pitch touring caravan site were turned down by Flintshire Council’s planning department last month.

But the applicant company, Stamford Way Fishery and Cafe, has now lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate over the decision.

Landowner James Woodcock, 48, told the Leader he and his wife Louise have been working to turn the site into a complete experience with fishing provision, a cafe and caravans for several years.

And despite gaining permission for several other aspects of the development they have been met with refusal for one of the most essential parts.

Mr Woodcock said: “We’ve been at this for seven years.

“They have supported the overall plan from day one but we’ve had to work with different policies at different stages.

“We’ve had permission for the cafe and toilet, the fishery, the manager’s building - now the local planning authority have refused the caravans.

“If the inspector refuses the caravans, I am not sure where we can go from here.”

Mr Woodcock added he believes the scheme, if permission is given, could bring several employment opportunities to the area.

In its refusal, Flintshire Council stated the development is ‘an inappropriate use which would unacceptably harm the open character and appearance of the green barrier’.

According to the council the proposals would also contribute to the ‘coalescence’ of the settlements, being located within the open countryside and within the designated green barrier.

Explaining the grounds for the appeal, a statement to the inspectorate reads: “The site is not encroaching beyond the complex confines towards Northop as there is already infrastructure of roads and café parking sited near equal distance to the west boundary as is the touring caravan use at appeal.

“No extra harm can be shown and with landscaping the harm has been entirely reduced and mitigated for. Consequently, the relative openness of the sitting in-between two structures of the ponds and café /car park is not compromised.

“As such, it is considered that the use is appropriate and complimentary to the land-use at present.

“Furthermore, the land is the only essential location to put the caravan activity close to the existing fishery pools, as the facility is subsidiary scale, is not foot-loose or allows for accommodation for anglers to be separate forcing impractical and un-sustainable car trips between facility and places to stay overnight.”

The document outlines concerns over the time taken to process the application and makes a case that a quality angling venue is already under construction at the site, adding that ‘angling is a sport which needs to be accessible and inclusive to all sections in society’.

Interested parties have until March 28 to submit their comments about the plans, but a date for the final decision has not yet been set by the inspectorate.