End nigh for caravan site saga

A GREENFIELD farm owner hopes his caravan site plight will soon be over.

Nigel Hadfield of the Well-i-Hole farm caravan site, has been battling for permission to set up 11 residential pitches for all-year for two years. His current 49 pitches can only be let for a maximum of 28 days from March-October.

His plans have been dogged by objections from the Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents’ Association, who say the site is an eyesore. Oldham Council refused the application in 2013, but Mr Hadfield appealed and an inspector visited the site in October 2013.

Despite granting planning permission for the residential pitches, an error by the inspector meant Mr Hadfield’s business suffered more restrictions than before, claims planning consultant Alan Thornley.

Mr Thornley lodged a complaint against the decision on the farm’s behalf.

The Planning Inspectorate admitted its mistake and an inspector is due to make another visit to correct this.

At the same time, Oldham Council spent so long deferring making a decision that Mr Thornley lodged an furher appeal.

But despite setbacks, confidence is high that permission will be granted for eight residential pitches.

“This whole situation has been unbelievable,” said Mr Hadfield, whose family has run a caravan site at the farm since 1962.

“Due to one thing or another we’ve been in the throes of planning since 2007. It’s been a massive upheaval, very stressful and expensive. All I want to do is provide people with the opportunity of staying on the site all year round. This consent would give me a lot more freedom to run my business and offer people what they want.”

Residents still object to the plans. Manchester Road resident Dave Watson, who overlooks the site, is still fiercely opposed.

“I have no objection to a touring caravan and camping site, but not residential pitches with people living in them as a home,” he said.