A proposal to establish a 20-pitch caravan campsite at Black Barn Farm in Salhouse has been refused for a second time by Broadland District Council, continuing a planning dispute between farm owner Trevor Thain and local authorities.
Mr. Thain first submitted plans in 2022 to use land behind his farm shop as a seasonal caravan site. The proposal followed what he described as growing interest from visitors after he opened the property to caravanners for short periods during the summer months.
The original application was rejected by Broadland District Council planners due to environmental concerns linked to nutrient neutrality requirements. Nutrient neutrality is a government policy intended to prevent additional pollution from entering protected waterways by ensuring new developments do not increase nutrient levels in nearby rivers and wetlands.
Following the initial refusal, Mr. Thain appealed the decision to government planning inspectors. However, the appeal was unsuccessful, with inspectors supporting the council’s position.
In a renewed effort to secure approval, Mr. Thain submitted a revised application for the campsite. Broadland District Council has now rejected the proposal again, citing the same nutrient neutrality concerns, according to the Eastern Daily Press.
The decision marks the latest development in a series of planning and community issues involving Black Barn Farm.
The farm shop, which opened in 2023, has become a venue for a range of events, including cheese and wine evenings, artisan fairs, and private functions. However, activities at the site have also attracted scrutiny from nearby residents and local authorities.
In 2025, residents living along Norwich Road raised concerns after claiming that two new driveways had been added to the property without consultation or the necessary permissions. According to neighbors, one access point was created near a woodland area adjacent to the farm, while another was established further along Norwich Road toward Salhouse.
The site also faced criticism during 2024 when nearby residents complained about traffic congestion and late-night noise associated with events at the farm shop. Some residents additionally alleged that health and safety requirements were not being followed.
In December 2024, Broadland District Council issued an enforcement notice against the farm, stating that multiple conditions attached to its original planning approval had been breached.
For campground, caravan park, and outdoor hospitality operators, the case highlights the growing importance of environmental compliance in development planning. Nutrient neutrality requirements have increasingly influenced tourism and accommodation projects across parts of England, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas.
Developers seeking to expand or establish new caravan, camping, and glamping facilities may face additional regulatory hurdles and should consider environmental mitigation measures early in the planning process to improve the likelihood of approval.
Mr. Thain declined to comment on the latest refusal.